Closed Dudley public toilets could be reopened
Public toilets that were controversially closed under council cutbacks could be reopened after an outcry from residents, it emerged today.
Dudley Council said last year that the eight toilet blocks in shopping centres had become outdated, often targeted by vandals and were under-used. But the authority has now agreed to carry out a review to see if any could be reinstated. And where the blocks cannot be re-opened, bosses could ask local businesses to let customers use their toilets.
The closure of public toilets has been a big issue nationally, with blocks all around the country being forced to close.
Among the sites which went last summer were The Cross in Kingswinford and Cottage Street in Brierley Hill. The other sites closed were Flood Street in Dudley, Halesowen Road in Netherton, Castle Street in Coseley, Bank Road in Lower Gornal, Lawnswood Road in Wordsley and Enville Road in Wall Heath.
The move was today given a cautious welcome by residents in Netherton who have campaigned against the closure. Ward councillor Qadar Zada said: "From my perspective it is absolutely clear that we need a local facility in Netherton.
"A public toilet block may seem like a small luxury to some but it is crucial to the future of businesses in this area. We need to make sure the review is completed as quickly as possible."
Councillor Jody Foster, cabinet member for transport and community safety, said: "A lot of the toilets were closed in areas that people frequent regularly for business or pleasure.
"We are going to carry out a review and consider requests that were made for some to be reopened.
"We will be looking at a number of options including reinstating the toilets or talking to nearby businesses that have the facilities to see if they could be made available."
