The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Calls have been made that Spalding’s toilet facilities should be fully re-opened when non-essential shops open again on April 12.
The amenities, which are managed by South Holland District Council, were closed across the district following the first lockdown in March 2020.
The facilities in Holbeach, Donington, Long Sutton and Sutton Bridge have since re-opened Monday to Friday, 8am to 2pm.
But only two toilets have been open in Spalding two days a week, Vine Street and Winfrey Avenue on the market days of Tuesday and Saturday between 8am and 4pm.
One pensioner, who did not wish to be named, says they’ve been left frustrated by the situation.
“It’s terrible that a town like Spalding has such few toilets open.
“Why are they only open on Tuesdays and Saturdays and until a certain time?
“If it’s due to the COVID restrictions then why is it safe to open them on those days?
“I spoke to someone at the council and they told me to go to Sainsbury’s instead.
“Why should Sainsbury’s have to deal with everyone that needs to go to the toilet?
“When I did go there, they’d closed off two of the cubicles because of the demand.”
A spokesman for South Holland District Council said: “The council is currently reviewing its recovery plans for the district alongside the national guideline changes, and public toilet facilities are one part of this process.
“All feedback from members of the public will be considered and decisions will be made and shared in the coming weeks.”
As previously reported, South Holland District Council has earmarked nearly half of the £500,000 funding it’s allocated for the improvement of Spalding and Holbeach town centres to improving the toilet provision.
When asked what the latest with these upgrades was a council spokesman said: “Following the allocation of funds for upgrade and improvement work on the district’s public toilets, the council is currently looking into the best options for the facilities, to enable them to meet the needs of our residents, businesses and visitors to South Holland.
“A programme of works is currently being created, which will be presented to members over the coming months.”
