Ludlow toilet charging plan goes down the pan

Funding was in place from Shropshire Council to install coin operated doors on public conveniences in the town and agreement had been reached by Ludlow Town Council to charge people 20p to use them.

But that idea now seems to have gone down the pan, for the time being at least, after the town council's new services committee voted to overturn the decision of the previous administration.

Concerns about whether charging was appropriate in a tourist town heavily dependent on visitors resulted in the change of heart.

The agreement for coin operated doors was made back in 2011 when Shropshire Council agreed to pay as a condition of the town council taking over the running of the facilities from them.

The council originally decided to charge 20p but the idea stalled when it was found that machines ordered from the United States did not take UK coins.

Alternative machines have been found but the council's services committee has now decided not to go ahead.

Councillors decided the time was not right with the economy so fragile and many traders in the town fighting to survive.

Mayor of Ludlow and services committee member Jim Smithers said: "We have to ask will charging have a detrimental effect on tourism in Ludlow?

"At this time we should not charge because with the present situation with the economy we should do all that we can to encourage people into the town."

Glen Ginger, who recently joined the council, raised concerns that some people would try to use toilets at pubs or even relieve themselves in alleyways if the charges were brought in.