By Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Esson
Council Cabinet members have confirmed that public toilets in dire state of repair will be refurbished in a “much-needed” £1.25 million makeover with another £250k ‘anticipated’ to be granted by Southern Water.
The move to sort out the loos has been welcomed as a “fundamental” upgrade to the seaside destinations with work hoped to be done in time for next summer.
At a meeting on Thursday (December 14), cabinet member Cllr Steve Albon said: “This will focus on addressing existing defects and is not a full refurbishment of the toilets but they will return them to a much higher standard of repair.”
Of the total cost of the project, £1.25m is from the local authority and £250,000 is “anticipated although not yet approved via an external grant from Southern Water,” Cllr Albon confirmed.
He added: “This investment is proposed to be the start of an anticipated wider and longer-term programme of public toilet improvements subject to further funding being identified.”
Cllr Reece Pugh (Con), the council’s opposition leader, said at the meeting: “I really welcome this, I think it’s much-needed, it’s a long time coming.
“When you think of many of the visitors to the district that come to the beaches and of course the state of disrepair that some of our toilets are in I, think it’s probably one of the first things that they see, and we need to do better.”
In response to a question from Cllr Pugh, council leader Cllr Rick Everitt (Lab) confirmed there had previously been talks with contractor Your Leisure about taking over and reopening some formerly closed public toilets. However, he said there was “more work to be done” and TDC would have to make sure any deal provided value for money.
Cllr Everitt said: “The main priority for us has been making sure that there are some works done before next season on the toilets that most urgently need them,” adding that improved opening hours were also being looked at.
‘First phase’
There are 27 public lavatories across Thanet, and the first wave of the project will see works to 10 of them.
An initial budget of £279k will be used for repairs. Additionally, £571k of capital funding has been identified for new build works where public toilets may be end of life or require a new accessible toilet.
There is also expected to be £650k of additional external funding. This is made up of £250k from Southern Water – if agreed – and £400k from the Margate Town Deal.
The toilets to be refurbished in the first wave are:
- St Mildred’s Bay, Westgate (£18k)
- West Bay, Westgate (£36k)
- Joss Bay (£21k)
- Broadstairs Harbour (£72k)
- The Centre, Margate (£13k)
- Ramsgate Pier Yard (£39k)
- Viking Bay (chalet block) (£80k)
A recommendation has been made to build a new toilet block at Stone Bay in Broadstairs, which will include accessible facilities with £450k capital funding with the possibility of a further £121k revenue contribution – dependent on whether the Southern Water contribution is agreed for Botany Bay and the amount spent on other repair works.
It is also proposed to reopen the subterranean toilets located at Margate Main Sands along with the creation of a new accessible toilet at promenade level from £400k Margate Town Deal funding. This is not expected to happen until 2025.
New accessible toilets will also be provided at Botany Bay under the plans using the £250k from Southern Water if agreed. If that funding is not received, the works in Botany Bay will be limited to repairs only.
Welcomed
Marcus Mohanty, who runs Lulu’s Gelato in Margate, said he “welcomes anything that’s going to improve the infrastructure and make it [the area] more attractive”.
The state of the local loos is “something that a lot of people comment on when they come to visit,” the 49-year-old explained.
Portaloos in place of public toilets and decrepit lavatories are “just not good enough for a town that has got a very long seaside tradition and is a very popular place to visit in summer,” the businessman added.
Further funding needed
Works on Minnis Bay, Alpha Road, Station Road, Dumpton Gap, Harold Road, College Walk, Marine Terrace (Buenos Ayres), King George VI Park, Royal Esplanade Ramsgate (Screaming Alley), Cavendish Street, Ramsgate Cemetery, Ramsgate Bathing Station, Victoria Gardens, Hopeville Avenue, Vere Road, Crofts Place have been costed but are subject to future funding being identified.
The Western Undercliff at Ramsgate has now been added to the list. During the summer ward councillors paid for portable loos at the site which has been without facilities since the café site was severely damaged in October 2014.
Before the end of October 2024 a new report will come to the cabinet explaining progress so far and proposals for which toilets to tackle next.
Thanet council’s £1.25m plan for works to improve isle’s public toilets
Additional reporting by Kathy Bailes
