Wee problem for Taunton punters (From Somerset County Gazette)
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Wee problem for Taunton punters
1:00pm Monday 15th October 2012 in News
By Phil Hill
Street pastor Adrian Prior-Sankey, Sgt Tony Crowter, consultant Lisa Parish, town centre manager Graham Love and district cllr Ian Morrell
THERE’S no chance public loos will re-open at night to stop people urinating in the street, it was claimed this week.
A group wants to tackle the issue following complaints from businesses that have been victims of people getting caught short after a night out.
Andy Sharman, of Somerset West Businesses Against Crime, said: “There’s a lack of evening provision within Taunton town centre.
“It’s not nice for businesses coming in of a morning to be greeted by urine in the doorway.
“We’re trying to come up with a plan of what to do about it and then a consultant we’ve spoken to will go the local authority.”
Public loos were closed at night by Taunton Deane Council several years ago due to vandalism, drug abuse, people sleeping rough and anti-social behaviour.
A pop-up loo in High Street has also closed.
Street pastor Adrian Prior-Sankey said: “It’s not nice having people urinating in doorways in public view and it’s unfair on the business owners.
“But the young people have nowhere to go – it’s a growing problem because public toilets have been gradually withdrawn.
“A pregnant woman recently said she needed the toilet, but she didn’t want to go in the dark and couldn’t get into a pub – what was she supposed to do?
“We want to be an attractive night-time destination but it’s sending the wrong message.”
Cllr Ken Hayward, of Taunton Deane Council, said: “I’d encourage people to plan ahead so they use the facilities in pubs, clubs and theatres before starting to make their way home.
“There’s no chance of public toilets re-opening at night in Taunton, but we’d be interested to hear the outcome of the group’s consultations.
The public toilets in the pavilion in Hamilton Park are to re-open on Monday week following complaints of public urination in the children’s play areas.
Comments(19)
I Hate CSC
says...
7:02pm Mon 15 Oct 12
CosApp
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10:02am Wed 17 Oct 12
Dr Dave
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7:33pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Anonone
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9:50am Thu 18 Oct 12
I haven't seen any reason given for the closure of the pop up urinal which seemed a sensible option. After all similar such 'conveniences' are fairly common on the continent.
Christophenes
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11:32am Thu 18 Oct 12
Anonone
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1:10pm Thu 18 Oct 12
I Hate CSC
says...
1:39pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Anonone wrote:Well that may be the reason then. It was put there to pee into, not for women to change their jam rags in.
It was used for a period but as to why it remains unused perhaps someone else could explain
Anonone
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8:25am Fri 19 Oct 12
Guy Smiley
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11:34pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Siker72
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8:08am Sat 20 Oct 12
Guy Smiley wrote:I like to call it the ' wee alley '
No need for pop up urinals. There's nothing wrong with Nat-West Alley.
Anonone
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8:25am Sat 20 Oct 12
I am thinking a little bit more sophisticated than a Boy Scout trench but not much! Furthermore should any of these outlets produce a slight odour a quick bucket of disinfectant could be thrown in by the nearest business when appropriate.
Sensible suggestions?
Dr Dave
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6:09pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Guy Smiley
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11:38pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Other hot-spots are Whirligig, Paul St car park, Bath Place, bushes by Sainos car park, car park off Tancred St, behind Crystal Kebabs, anywhere near train station and car park behind County Stores (destination of the aforementioned Khazi Pass)
Anonone
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8:13am Sun 21 Oct 12
Dr Dave
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10:13pm Sun 21 Oct 12
Anonone
says...
8:34am Mon 22 Oct 12
Thurza
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10:19am Mon 22 Oct 12
Mi_Coc wrote:Well said ! _
If we could direct all the people in need of the loo to the entrance of deane house I am sure we would find they don't like arriving monday afternoon (yes they dont do early starts) to find its been used as a toilet they would soon change their minds. These councilors dont understand that night revelers these don't go out for a tipple maybe a sherry and they use the loo before grabing a taxi home before 11pm. They go out drink like fishes then fall or get thrown out of venues and stagger around there is know time to spend a penny before you exit or are forcibly removed.
Guy Smiley
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10:55am Mon 22 Oct 12
We should get the County Stores roasting coffee on a Sunday morning to help mask the odour from the Khazi Pass.
Mi_Coc says...
1:53pm Mon 15 Oct 12
These councilors dont understand that night revelers these don't go out for a tipple maybe a sherry and they use the loo before grabing a taxi home before 11pm.
They go out drink like fishes then fall or get thrown out of venues and stagger around there is know time to spend a penny before you exit or are forcibly removed.