SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is pleased that Flintshire councillors have saved toilet facilities in Talacre, Mold and Holywell from closure.
Mr Rowlands, Chair of the Senedd’s Cross-Party Group on Tourism, previously expressed his concerns when it was first announced that the toilets were under threat.
This week Flintshire’s Cabinet granted a reprieve following a public consultation and new funding being made available.
He said: “I was extremely concerned when I heard that Flintshire County Council planned to close public toilets at these three popular sites across the county and really pleased to see a change of heart.
“There was a huge outcry when the news was announced to shut down the sites at the Bus Station in Mold, just off the High Street in Holywell and Station Road in Talacre.
“All three places are popular destinations not just for local people but they all attract tourists and it is important that public toilets are available.
“I firmly believe that decent public toilets, particularly in popular and tourist areas, should really be a facility which is provided. We can’t expect people to come and visit our towns if we do not have a basic amenity.”
This week Flintshire councillors agreed not to close the public toilets, look at a new strategy and use funding from the UK Government’s ‘Pride in Place’ for the work. Once restored they will be looking for alternative organisations to take them over.
Mr Rowlands added: “While I obviously welcome the reprieve I do remain a little concerned that once the facilities have been refurbished the council will look at town and community councils to take on the responsibility.
“These councils have limited budgets which have already been set for this financial year and transfer of these facilities may not be a viable proposition for them.”
