PUBLIC toilets in Taunton will close in turn at different times next week to allow a “deep clean”.

The seven public conveniences will close from tomorrow (Monday, April 8) while cleaning works, carried out by AIS Ltd., will be carried out.

A message from Taunton Town Council read: “From Monday, April 8 our public toilets will be undergoing a deep clean and will be closed, in turn, at various times during the week to facilitate these works. Thank you in advance for your patience.”

The message from the council did not say at what time or when each toilet will close, but a spokesperson said signs advising of the works were posted in each location.

The town council took on responsibility for a number of public toilets in Taunton after the local government reform.

These are as follows:

  • Castle Green Toilets
  • Canon Street Toilets
  • French Weir Toilets
  • Hamilton Gault Toilets
  • Priorswood Place Toilets
  • Victoria Street Toilets
  • Vivary Park Toilets

At the end of March, the toilets on Paul Street closed permanently.

Somerset Council said back in January that it would cost £20,000 to bring each of the seven cubicles up to a better standard for the public.

The unitary authority informed Taunton Town Council of the decision on February 29.

In March, a Taunton Town Council spokesperson said: “Somerset Council have notified us that the public conveniences on Paul Street will permanently close from March 31, 2024.

“The nearest alternatives can be found at Canon Street Car Park, Castle Green, and Vivary Park.”

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: “Somerset Council was able to set a balanced budget for the coming financial year after members agreed to a range of measures to bridge a funding gap of £100m.

“The Paul Street toilets in Taunton, having not been devolved, will now be considered as part of the ongoing evaluation of council property and assets.”

Last year, a Taunton resident complained about the state of public toilets on Castle Green, French Weir, and Vivary Park, and asked the council to take action.

Councillor Tom Deakin, leader of Taunton Town Council, said a Public Toilets Working Group was recently established to consider the issues and future upgrades for the existing public toilets.

One of their first actions was to request funding for footfall monitors to assist with prioritising improvement work and building surveys on public toilets in Castle Green and Victoria Park.