Toilets could close after vandalism (From Wiltshire Times)

Toilets could close after vandalism

5:52pm Tuesday 20th March 2007 in Melksham By John Ballard

A BLOCK of public toilets in Melksham could be permanently closed after becoming a constant target for vandals.

The toilets in Bath Road have been shut since last month when on one night a steel cubicle door was broken off and stolen, and there was an attempted break-in through the roof.

InterPublic Urban Systems UK Ltd, who are contracted by West Wiltshire District Council to provide, maintain and clean public toilets in the district, have removed the toilets from service while they carry out refurbishment work, which could see the facilities reopening in around three weeks time.

However, InterPublic warned that without support from the police and the town and district councils, to help prevent further damage, the toilets could be closed indefinitely.

In a letter to Melksham Town Council, Alistair Humphreys, director of InterPublic said: "There is a limit to the amount of money that is allowed to support the toilets in the district and the greater proportion of that is currently being spent in Melksham.

"Given that the partnership has seen the best results in the Loo of the Year so far, it would be sad and embarrassing to see toilets close because as a partnership we have failed to manage the problem."

In response to this the new Melksham Neighbourhood Police Team has stepped up patrols of PCs and PCSOs in the evening and at weekends to reduce the risk of vandalism and there are plans to install a CCTV system in Bath Road.