Axe looming for 24-hour toilets

Twenty-four hour public toilets may close to save money, it was revealed today.

The loos, near Bilston's bus and Midland Metro stations, are being reviewed by Wolverhampton City Council and face closure. Facilities, in the indoor market, open six days a week but shut at 5pm.

Andy Jervis, council group manager for public protection and trading standards, said today: "Bilston currently has two separate council-run toilet facilities, with the older paid-for facilities at the outdoor market recently complemented by new, free, indoor facilities at the main market building which opened in 2007.

"There are no plans to remove free public toilet provision from Bilston Market. However, given the pressures on public finances, Wolverhampton City Council is reviewing all its services and as part of this is investigating toilet provision in Bilston with a view to deciding whether, following the opening of the new free facilities, the paid for toilets are still required.

"Depending on the outcome of this investigation, a report may be presented to members in due course."

Council bosses said any formal proposals would also be subject to negotiations with contractors. It costs 10p to use the 24-hour under-threat toilets.

Bilstonian Gerald Hanrahan, a member of the Black Country Memories Group, said: "The toilets are close to the bus and Metro stations. These toilets are a great convenience for the town, especially in the evenings and for people waiting for buses."

Figures obtained by the Express & Star show the days of West Midlands public loos appear to be numbered. Twenty-four in the region have closed in the past decade.

The biggest cut has been in Dudley, where eight out of 23 provided 10 years ago closed.

Cannock Chase Council no longer operates any public toilets. Ten years ago there were five. In Walsall over 10 years three closed. People in Darlaston need to use the Asda supermarket toilets.

Wolverhampton added to its public toilets with the opening of a site in Victoria Street in 2004. It operates eight others around the city, although many are now paid-for.