Sandwell toilets to close for good under proposals

Blackheath trader and former councillor Mary Docker submitted the 247 signatures to Sandwell Council in December 2011, and said that apart from an acknowledgement of receipt she has heard nothing in response since.

The petition called on the council to improve the public toilets in Short Street Car Park, on Henderson Way, Blackheath.

A report to the authority's highways boss Councillor Maria Crompton last month again said the matter was still being investigated.

Now it has emerged officers are recommending the conveniences be closed.

Council officers have prepared a summary statement for Councillor Crompton to consider at a meeting on Thursday. It recommends the facility be closed and declared surplus to the authority's requirements. The site would be sold off after closure, if the recommendation goes through.

Steve Handley, the council's area director for street scene, wrote: "The public toilets are at the age and type that they are difficult to maintain, cleanse and repair. They are also subject to regular deliberate damage and anti-social behaviour which forces the council to close them on a regular basis. The toilets are opened, closed and cleansed by Serco as part of its agreement with the council, at a cost of £11,000 per annum, including consumables.

"The provision of public toilet facilities is not a statutory function or legal requirement of the council. Blackheath Library, on the High Street is only 200 metres away from the site and offers free to use toilet facilities.

"Officers therefore recommend the closure of the toilets on Short Street Car Park, with the building being declared surplus to requirements and returned to the council's assets for disposal. Ms Docker said: "I think it's a disgrace. I know of people who have been caught short and seen the conditions inside the toilets and not felt like they could use the facility and had accidents.

"It's humiliating for them and I think it's a sad day if they decide to close the toilets. They've had all this time and done absolutely nothing."

Earlier this year plans were thought up to transform a set of listed toilets in Wednesbury into a community hub and gallery.

Sandwell Council closed The Shambles toilet blocks on police advice four years ago and considered demolishing them after they became a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.