RESIDENTS of Melksham are calling for two public toilets in the town to be re-opened.

The call comes as it was revealed Melksham Town Council and Melksham Without Parish Council are paying £3,700 a year in rates for the three public toilets in the Market Place.

Commenting on social media, former Melksham Without parish councillor Terry Chivers said he was “amazed” to hear the rates on the Market Place toilets were so high.

In response, one resident said: “I seriously think that all Melksham people that live in the town and the surrounding areas should bombard their councillors to get the park toilets re-opened and the one in Church Street. It is an absolute disgrace they are both closed.”

They are calling for public toilets in Church Street and Bath Road, which are close to the King George V Park, to be re-opened for use by residents and visitors.

Wiltshire Council cut all funding to public conveniences across the county last April following talks with town and parish councils in 2015 and a full public consultation programme.

Town and parish councils are now fully funding the public toilets that have stayed open, but many others have remained permanently closed because of the cleaning and maintenance costs involved.

It is claimed Melksham residents would face a rise in council tax and the town a huge increase in its precept to allow Melksham Town Council and Melksham Without Parish Council to re-open all the facilities.

Melksham town councillor Hayley Spencer-Illman said: “It’s a ridiculously high charge to maintain public conveniences as they are extremely susceptible to vandalism and abuse - we’re talking tens of thousands of pounds per year.

“It’s a sad and tough situation we are in and it’s a result of funding cuts from central government.”

“I would recommend going direct to our MP Michelle Donelan rather than us local councillors whose hands are tied by national cuts.”