Almost all public toilets in Brighton and Hove are closing from today as the coronavirus lockdown continues.
Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Following the continued restrictions on movement, we’ll be closing the majority of public toilets in the city from Friday 17 April.
“We have kept many toilets open as they are a vital facility for many vulnerable people in the city.
“With fewer people now around and increasing difficulties in maintaining the safe use of many of the facilities for residents and the staff who look after them, most public toilets will now close.
“We will reopen them as soon as is appropriate.”
Councillor Anne Pissaridou, who chairs the council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, said: “We’ve been keen to keep most toilets open for as long as possible but have had problems managing crowds and increased anti-social behaviour in some.
“With the continued need for social distancing and fewer people out and about in the city, we now feel it’s right to close the majority to make sure we can protect our residents and staff.
“We will be keeping a few open for the vulnerable people who still need them, where we can manage them safely with the current staffing levels.”
Public toilets remaining open
- King Alfred – open from 8am to 8pm
- Park Road, Rottingdean – open from 8am to 4pm
- Royal Pavilion Gardens – open from 8am to 8pm
- Stanmer Village – open from 8am to 8pm
- The Level – open from 8am to 8pm
…
Public toilets closing
- Dyke Road Park
- Easthill Park
- Goldstone Villas
- Hove Cemetery South
- Hove Lagoon
- Hove Park
- Kings Esplanade
- Lawn Memorial Cemetery
- Norton Road
- Ovingdean Undercliff
- Preston Park Chalet
- Preston Park Rotunda
- Rottingdean Recreation Ground
- Rottingdean Undercliff
- Saltdean Oval
- Saltdean Undercliff
- St Ann’s Well Gardens
- Station Road
- The Colonnade
- The Level
- Vale Park
- Western Esplanade
- Lower Promenade (West Street)
…
Public toilets remaining closed
- Aldrington Recreation Ground (Wish Park)
- Black Rock
- Blaker’s Park
- Greenleas
- Hollingbury Park
- Lower Promenade (east of the Palace Pier)
- Peter Pan playground
- Queen’s Park
- West Pier arches
- Wild Park
This is just appalling.
Here we are facing a major pubic health crisis and our council should be insuring that those out for a daily walk at least have somewhere for an emergency pee and to wash their hands.
Nobody chooses to go into those places unnecessarily and if there’s a cleaning problem then that should be tackled, with extra staff if need be.
Note that other usually-available loos in pubs, shopping centres, and libraries etc are already closed.
The council seem to be encouraging people to take their exercise on Madeira drive and yet both public loos there are to be closed.
The only public loo still open on the entire length of our seafront is the one in Hove, by the King Alfred swimming pool.
This is a time of national crisis and we need people to roll up their sleeves and tackle these new issues, maybe with creative solutions. But our council, when faced with any problem, now just closes things, and blames others for creating a situation they say they can’t deal with.
This is appalling, it’s unbelievable to close public toilets on a big seafront and expect everyone to use small block at king Alfred. This is more dangerous and going to cause more chance of catching the virus surely??
Complain … Here are the committee details…
https://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=823
Please can you confirm public toilets will now reopen? It is unhygienic, a basic human right and very concerning both practically and in terms of dignity to close public toilets.
The elderly, children, those with medical complaints or weak bladders have been unnecessarily and unfairly prejudiced by the closing of toilets. It is very stressful to have to exercise without a comfort break. What if it is hot? Should I keep safely hydrated? Or do I risk suffering the indignity of being caught short? This situation has been going on for weeks.
I have seen two homeless people urinating in the town centre in broad daylight. This is degrading for them and unsanitary for everyone. Without toilets, how can we wash our hands? The lack of toilets will therefore more likely contribute to the spread of infection than closing them.
Now the government is encouraging longer exercise and same household resting/picnicking, it is even clearer that toilets are essential. Businesses are desperately trying to make some kind of income and stave off bankruptcy and provide amenities, but who will by a coffee or refreshments when there are no toilets?
The current situation is in my view shameful, outrageous, counterproductive, wildly disproportionate and illogical. Please reopen immediately.
Absolutely appalling that toilets are closed everywhere! Surely it’s make just as much sense to monitor them and allow in a few at a time to keep them open! Honestly never seen so many stupid things happening during this awful time
Keeping public toilets open is essential