A FORMER Mayor of Pershore has called for ‘every effort’ to be made to stop the toilets at the Bridges Picnic Place from being closed.
Coun Val Wood, a town councillor and a Wychavon District councillor for Pershore, spoke to the Observer after it emerged at a Town Council meeting that Worcestershire County Council were looking into plans to close the toilets at the popular spot by the River Avon.
In a report to the Town Council, the County Council claimed their only option is to close the loos due to high maintenance costs and as a result of frequent flooding at the Bridges Picnic Place.
Coun Wood said: “I appreciate the difficulties being encountered with the Bridges Picnic Place toilets and sympathise with the fact they are somewhat past their sell by date.
“But I feel every effort needs to be made to retain or redesign a toilet on the site and a costing is essential in order to achieve this.
“The site is on the Wychavon Way and is also a starting point for the circular walk that goes via Tiddesley Wood.
“And with walking and cycling becoming more important to combat health issues, I feel it would be a shame to not be able to ‘spend a penny’ there, although I appreciate that it will cost a lot more than that to solve the problem.”
However since the meeting, County Council chiefs have now said they are working with the Town Council to find ways of keeping the toilet block open at the picnic site.
A Worcestershire County Council spokesperson said: “We are currently working with Pershore Town Council to explore options for potentially retaining the provision of toilets in the area.”
