Swaffham councillors decide to re-open toilet block by park after charge success

Spending a penny… or 20 has proved to be a success for preventing toilet blocks in Swaffham from becoming vandalised.

The 20p charge to use the public loos in Swaffham town centre has meant that cases of vandalism have drastically fallen.

At the full council meeting held in the town last Wednesday, members of the public also showed their support for the scheme.

One member of the public said that she also saw the scheme work well while she was on holiday in Wales and was pleased a similar scheme worked in Swaffham.

Deputy Mayor Lindsey Beech said: “Since we implemented the 20p charge, there has been no vandalism”.

The town council also voted on re-opening the public toilet block on the playground off Cley Road after hearing from parents and youngsters who use the park and skatepark.

They will open the disabled toilet block welcome for all people to use.

However, the decision sparked concern for Cllr Caroline Ellerbeck.

She said: “I am concerned for disabled people. They are given a radar key for toilets, but this means they will have to pay.”

CCTV cameras will also be put up.

Cllr Steph Cooper said: “It will be nice to have somewhere people can go to the toilet and not have to go home.”

All councillors apart from Cllr Ellerbeck voted in favour of re-opening the toilet block.