Boat club's battle for new facilities

People are being put off visiting a Black Country park because there are no toilet facilities for them to use, it was claimed today.

Members of Kingswinford Model Boat Club have launched a campaign for new public toilets at King George VI park in Kingswinford. The toilet block at the site was closed around five years ago after being repeatedly attacked by vandals. Visitors now have a 10 to 15 minute walk to the nearest public conveniences in the Cross Car Park, High Street.

Club treasurer Paul Newman, aged 36, said: "We go down to the park every Sunday but some of our members have dropped out because there are no toilets available and they are worried about being caught short.

"I think that it puts people off from coming to the park," he added.

"The council is investing a lot of money at the moment in parks like improving the play areas and putting in new gates but they don't seem interested in providing this basic facility.

"It wouldn't take much work to renovate the toilets so they could be used again."

The club, which has 40 members aged between nine and 80, has also been in touch with Dudley South MP Ian Pearson.

Ward councillor for Kingswinford North and Wall Heath Lynn Boleyn has backed the group's campaign.

She said: "It sounds like a very good idea.

"I think it is very important that nice public toilets are available for people to use.

"I think when people go to a park, particularly children and elderly people, they do want to know there are toilets and that they are not going to have to worry finding somewhere to go," she added.

Council spokesman Phil Parker said: "The existing toilet block has been out of use due to anti-social behaviour problems and there are not currently any plans for a new toilet block to be opened on the park."