CCTV cameras to be installed at Builth Wells toilets after more vandalism
CCTV cameras to be installed at Builth Wells toilets after more vandalism
CCTV cameras are to be installed inside public toilets in Builth Wells after they were vandalised again over the weekend.
Builth Wells Town Council said that on Sunday, September 20, the toilets at the Groe car park in the town had been targeted again.
The town's other public toilets, located outside the town council headquarters at the Strand Hall, were also vandalised.
The facilities at the Groe have been attacked numerous times in recent years causing repeated damage and costing thousands of pounds.
The town council said on its Facebook page; “Groe and Strand Street toilets have again been subjected to vandalism.
“This has been reported to the police as its now becoming an on-going situation.
“Its saddening for town council members that our community has to suffer by a small minority of individuals who think that it is okay to destroy and damage property.
“In the next couple of months we will be installing CCTV cameras just inside both toilets and we hope this will cause some deterrent to those who persist in damaging our public toilets.”
In July 2025, the toilets were vandalised during show week and had to be temporarily closed but just weeks later in September 2025 the toilets were damaged twice within a month, over the Christmas period of 2025 the town council had to call out contractors twice to clear the drains after items were forced down the toilets costing £500.
Builth Wells Town Council recently agreed on a contractor to fit turnstiles at the Groe public toilets.
The council is undertaking the work after securing money from the UK Governments Pride in Place Impact Fund, which is coordinated and distributed on their behalf by Powys County Council.
The fund is aimed at enhancing the physical environment in public spaces, and Town Centre revitalisation.
Town clerk Louise Hammond was successful in getting the £83,000 of funding for three projects including the toilets, where they plan to introduce pay provision and chemical toilet disposal.
While well used, the current facilities do not adequately support the needs of motorhome visitors, particularly in relation to the safe disposal of chemical toilet waste.
This has resulted in inappropriate disposal of chemical cassettes within standard toilet facilities, causing blockages, maintenance issues, increased costs and periods of closure.
In addition, the toilets would benefit from improvements to security, sustainability and long term financial resilience, as they currently cost the Town Council around £40,000 per year to maintain, repair and clean etc,The aim is therefore be to install a dedicated chemical toilet disposal point designed specifically for motorhome and caravan users, aimed at reducing blockages and maintenance disruption and to introduce a pay to access-controlled entry system.
Installation of solar panels on the roof will also help to reduce energy costs and environmental impact.
At the September meeting this week the council selected Electro UK for the work by four votes to two.