U-turn over charges for seaside public toilets

Plans to charge for the use of some public toilets at a popular seaside destination have been dropped.

Weymouth Town Council had planned to introduce a 50p fee for all of its public toilets, including those along the seafront, as part of ongoing refurbishment works.

A petition opposing the plan attracted more than 2,000 signatures.

The town council said it would now look at charges at each public toilet location a case-by-case basis.

The council had wanted to introduce the charges during a rolling refurbishment of its toilet facilities.

It planned to first refurbish toilets in Maiden Street in 2027/28 and those at the Pier Bandstand in 2028/29.

At a recent meeting the council said this year's budget was in surplus and the refurbishment would have cost about £420,000.

Public toilets in parts of the town already have a 50p charge.

The town councillor for Overcombe, Louie O'leary, said charging fees for toilet use caused problems.

"People are choosing to go to the toilet in gardens and bushes on the street.

"They are basically just using it as a free option which is unacceptable because it's an environmental health hazard and also it's just not fair on the residents who live there," he added.

Weymouth Town Council charges a precept to residents and that money pays for public toilets, parks and gardens.

Mr O'Leary said residents in his ward were having to "pay twice" for toilets - once through the precept and once for the 50 charge.

A petition, started by resident David Taylor, opposing the planned charges gathered over 2,200 signatures.

Taylor said: "The imposition of fees on public toilets could disproportionately affect residents and visitors who, like me, are on a budget.

"These fees create barriers for those in our community who must use these facilities daily.

"Picture our elderly residents, parents with young children, and people with disabilities - [charging for toilets] unfairly targets those who need these facilities the most."