Temporary toilets on Ryde seafront will close following the October half term due to persistent vandalism – leaving the Western end of the seafront with no public conveniences.
Since the toilet block was installed on Western Gardens in April, cubicle doors have been pulled off their hinges, wash basins ripped off walls, fires lit and drains deliberately blocked with toilet roll.
Last month, Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, warned the facilities could be removed permanently if the damage continued and appealed for the community’s help in tracing those responsible.
It was hoped the attacks would tail off after the busy summer season but, sadly, that has not been the case.
Councillor Jordan, who is also the ward councillor for Ryde North West, where the toilets are situated, said:
“This wasn’t what any of us wanted to see happen, but we cannot allow the current situation to continue any longer.
“We’re simply not able to provide a reliable service as they have to be closed frequently for repair and the consequent maintenance cost due to repeated vandalism and criminal damage is proving disproportionately expensive.
“We have reached out to the community for help, contacted the police and community safety partnership and have had ad hoc visits from contractors and security companies but we have been unable to stop this mindless vandalism.
Article continues below this advertisement “It’s with a very heavy heart and disappointment that we are having to take this action as a last resort.”
The temporary toilets were installed on Western Gardens earlier this year as part of the redevelopment of the Esplanade. It came as a result of the permanent toilets being demolished
New, fully accessible public toilets are set to open in the Spring as part of the major refurbishment of Ryde Esplanade Train Station.
So one can hang on until the spring when the new toilets are open? Thank you very much IOW Council, good to know that you care for us so much. The question that wants answering is who on earth was holder of the brain that permitted the original toilets to be demolished before the new, permanent, ones were open and in use? I assume they have been appropriately rewarded.
As for the, temporary ones; well I do not condone vandalism but, what was there hardly invited any better treatment. Maybe they can now be returned to the scrap yard from whence they came.
Let’s hope the new ones are totally stainless steel walls doors and all. This could mean they won’t get smashed up
Vandals will just move on to somewhere else. Need greater police presence around the town.
Bet as nothing done to catch the vandals they will be ready to strike when new toilets are open. What’s wrong with CCTV in the toilets, no one has anything to worry about if just using toilet like 60 million others, only if you are a perv or wanting to wreck. Doesn’t have to all viewed just when vandals. I would rather be able to use loo and CCTV than not be able too and soil or wet myself in public,we are an ageing population in Ryde and we need cameras can be positioned to give a little privacy.
I wonder why we have a police force… also why we have CCTV… as both seem useless..
never mind…. …. ….
Errrr, look how old and dirty they are. New modern toilets are made of stainless steel. No seat, no lid and very little fittings to rip of the wall. Hopefully the new ones will be modern and up to date so the little buggers won’t have anything to wreck.
They thought that with the new ones in post office lane Newport but the mindless idiots still smashed them up and paying 40 pence to do it