Win some loos some

That's a surprise outcome of Worthing Borough Council's decision to axe three public conveniences in the town '“ the Manor Ground facilities and those at the Thomas A'Becket and the Rotary Ground.

While the news has delighted members of Broadwater Community Association, it's no joke for the town's Lib Dems, who are furious at the closures, planned to start from April 1 '“ All Fools' Day.

They have "called in" the decision, taken by environment cabinet member George Stephens last Wednesday.

Five toilets were originally on the cost-cutting "hit list" which went before Mr Stephens' cabinet meeting. They included toilets at Worthing Pier and West Worthing railway station, but these two were reprieved.

Lib Dem group leader Bob Smytherman said this week: "I hope we can persuade the cabinet member to think again before it is too late and these facilities are lost for ever."

It is claimed the Thomas A'Becket toilets were subject to continuous misuse; the Rotary ground facility was inadequate and there was an internal facility available in the changing rooms on match days; and at the Manor Ground, there was also a changing room facility on match days.

Mr Stephens said council officers were exploring the possibility of using the women's toilets as the basis, with expansion, for a Broadwater community centre.

"It may be lost as a public convenience but we are looking at putting it to another use."

Brian Fullick, chairman of Broadwater Community Association, was thrilled at the news.

"It sounds good. We have not got the money to build yet, but if we have got a site, it gives us much more scope when it comes to getting Lottery funding. So far, we have raised 70,000 towards our own community centre."

But his enthusiasm was not shared by Brian Tompsett, chairman of South Broadwater Residents' Association.

He said: "I stood up at the meeting and objected. They are going to close the toilet on the Manor Ground and I feel this is very bad, because a lot of people travelling into the town, including business people and taxi drivers, stop to use it."

Mr Stephens said: "Council members visited the town's facilities and found many of them in a really very poor and disgusting condition. Thousands and thousands of pounds will be required to bring these facilities into the 21st century.

"It is a tragedy that money has been wasted for years when this review could have taken place years ago."

He said the town's public toilets cost nearly 500,000 a year to maintain.

Lib Dem county councillor Peter Green (West Tarring) said he was particularly concerned with the closures of the Manor Ground and Thomas A'Becket toilets.

In the case of the Thomas A'Becket toilets, he wondered whether a "hatred of homosexuals" was the real reason for their closure.

Referring to the mention of "continuous misuse", Mr Green said: "Is it that bad?

"Is it a danger to the public? Are they a nuisance to the public? This closure will make the public as a whole suffer.

"My colleagues are going to make contact with gay groups to see what their feelings are about the matter."

Mr Stephens said the Thomas A'Becket decision had been made purely on the facts.

The Thomas A'Becket toilets were closed temporarily a few years ago, following complaints that they were being misused by homosexuals.

A police spokeswoman told the Herald this week that while there had been misuse in the past, no complaints had been made recently.