TOILETS across Conwy county will close today (Monday 14 October).
Cash-strapped Conwy County Council announced in July it would close 19 of its 40 public toilets on 4 September 2024, causing outrage amongst members who said they were given just two hours’ notice.
The authority also said it would scale back public conveniences’ opening hours and close services in the autumn and winter.
But the closures were delayed after the Conservatives tabled a motion opposing the plans, but the cabinet stuck to its decision, despite some toilets being saved by town councils pledging funds.
But as of today, nine toilets will close in the county, including:
- Colwyn Bay, Parisella’s on the Beach
- Eglwysbach, Maes Llan
- Llanelian yn Rhos
- Llannefydd
- Penmaenmawr, Fernbrook Road
- Penmaenmawr, Yacht Club
- Pentrefoelas
- Rowen
- Ysbyty Ifan
Cllr Louise Emery was one of the Conservative councillors who tabled the motion.
“Everybody should be disappointed because it is a vital service that the local authority should be providing,” she said.
“So it is disappointing to see any toilet close today. We tabled the motion to allow community and town councils and other stakeholders to have more time to engage. Now some of those engagements have happened. Some haven’t. So it is disappointing we weren’t given more time, as this service is so vital for tourists and visitors.”
She added: “Llandudno Town Council have been engaged with the county officers and have had very positive conversations, and we have been able to keep all the toilets in Llandudno open, but of course, that is just till the end of March next year, so we will now have to negotiate for a long-term financial package to keep toilets open.”
The council has now said more toilets than originally planned will remain open this winter following sponsorship offers from town and community councils.
But as well as the nine toilets that will close from today, Conwy has already closed:
- Capel Curig, Snowdon View
- Cerrigydrudion, Tan Lan
- Colwyn Bay, Ivy Street
- Dwygyfylchi, Fairy Glen Road
- Llandudno Junction, Maelgwyn Road
- Llanddulas, Station Road
- Llanfairfechan, Station Road
- Llanrwst, Watling Street
- Towyn, Sandbank Road
Conwy says 20 public toilet facilities will remain open over the winter with a further four opening in Easter until next September.
Cllr Goronwy Edwards is the cabinet member for infrastructure, transport, and facilities and said: “Closing toilets is a difficult decision for us to make. But every council service has had to find significant financial savings for 2024/25. We don’t have the budget to subsidise public toilets, so we have to recoup all running costs from paid-for facilities and sponsorship.
“I am grateful for the support we’ve received from town and community councils which means we are able to keep more toilets open this winter than we previously announced.”
The council says the public can use toilets in council buildings such as offices, leisure centres, and libraries, even if they are not using other services in the building.
