Public toilets in Swaffham fully operational again - but with 20p charge due to past vandalism

A town’s public toilets are now fully operational - but visitors will have to pay a fee due to vandalism at the site.

Due to an increase in anti-social behaviour and the cost of repairs from taxpayer funds, Swaffham Town Council decided in June last year to control access to the facilities by installing a coin and contactless 20p entry fee.

Last summer, the authority was told that the person employed to clean the toilets handed their notice in because they were “that disgusting” due to vandalism.

Swaffham councillors’ decision was taken after discussions and recommendations with other district and town councils in the UK. The revenue received will be invested in the upkeep and future upgrades of the public toilets.

A town council statement last week said: “Both toilets are accessible and so are equal to all, they are also available 24 hours a day. The toilets are cleaned and monitored on a daily basis.”

Last year, some councillors raised concerns that the 20p charge would serve as “discrimination” against disabled people.

The council statement added: “The delay in the installation of the doors, and the installation issues that have occurred, are due to supplier problems and were out of the town council’s control.

“Thank you for your patience in the opening of the public toilets which are now fully operational.”

There are two sets of public toilets in the town.