MP urges action as council rejects new toilets

MP Josh MacAlister said he had worked for months to arrange the partnership with Cumberland Council

An MP has urged residents who are "unhappy with the decision" of a town to reject plans for new public toilets to seek an explanation from councillors.

Whitehaven Town Council voted against the proposal, which would have seen it pay for the upkeep of the toilets while Cumberland Council would have paid for the building and installation.

Labour MP Josh MacAlister said he had been "working for months" on the project and the town council's decision meant there would be no facilities for "the foreseeable future".

Whitehaven's Labour Mayor Raymond Gill said the council was "in favour of providing public toilets" but had not received "sufficient details" from the larger authority to make a decision.

In a statement on Facebook, MacAlister said all but one councillor in attendance opposed the proposal.

"This means we won't be getting any public toilets in Whitehaven for the foreseeable future unless they change their minds," he said.

"I'm really disappointed that the town council failed to recognise the public demand and need for this and I'd urge residents unhappy with the decision to contact your town councillor for an explanation."

Whitehaven Town Council said it wishes to build toilets on Strand Street

Gill said running the facilities would cost about £61,000 but it would be "irresponsible" to sign a lease without knowing what it contained.

"There is no comparison with this being compared with what happens in other parishes," he said.

"Other parishes own and maintain their own toilets. We have been asked to lease and maintain toilets owned by Cumberland Council."

MacAlister argued the town council should support the plan as it was affordable and would cost about 10% of its annual budget.

Gill said the council still wished to open new toilets and discussions were under way with third parties to build them on Strand Street.

The council agreed to reconsider the deal with Cumberland Council at a later date while continuing discussions with other organisations.