Repairs to vandalised public loos costing thousands

If the situation does not improve, the council may consider charging people to use the loos

Repairs to public toilets, which have been repeatedly vandalised since they opened earlier this year, are costing thousands of pounds.

The loos at Trowbridge's Town Park were shut on Monday after people pulled items off the walls and deliberately blocked plugholes.

Mel Jacob, leader of Trowbridge Town Council, said: "It's frustrating. We want people to use our parks and facilities and having public toilets is really important. But it makes it really difficult when you have this repeated vandalism."

The council is in the process of setting its budget for the next year and says the toilet damage is now costing "thousands, not hundreds" for repairs.

Since opening in February, the toilets have undergone major repairs on multiple occasions, including damage in a disabled toilet.

Ms Jacob says if the situation does not improve, drastic action might have to be taken.

She said: "The extreme is you end up moving towards charging, but that's not what we want to do.

"That's the extreme if it continues the way it is, we'd have to consider our options.

"We already have CCTV and are working with the police to pursue things where possible when people can be identified.

"I'm not sure the best solution to discourage people from vandalising them, it would be great to hear people's ideas.

"I hope we can keep repairing it and keep being positive."

Trowbridge Town Council's Neighbourhoods Services Team is responsible for checking the toilets, which cost £126,000 to implement.