Oldham loos are up to scratch

OLDHAMERS can spend a penny in safety and style thanks to the council’s commitment to clean and convenient public toilet facilities.

A report by the Communities and Local Government Committee said councils should be forced to draw up annual public toilet strategies and called for improved signs, leaflets and website information about location, opening times and costs.

The report said that while some local authorities were on the ball and provided an excellent service, others were falling way short of the mark.

It states: “The duty of compiling and reviewing a public toilet strategy is a simple requirement that will go a long way towards achieving the right of people who live in and visit this country to have accessible and clean public toilets, wherever they live, work or visit.”

A spokesman for Oldham Council said: “The council welcomes the input from the Government’s Communities and Local Government Committee into the provision of public toilets, and feels that these comments support our ongoing work in the development of Oldham’s public convenience strategy.

“We are committed to providing clean, safe and secure public toilets for residents to use and currently have six public toilets in Oldham, as well as a further 25 facilities associated with parks, cemeteries and countryside centres.

“As part of our strategy we are looking at a range of measures so that we can ensure good quality facilities are available to the public where needed.

“These measures could include the introduction of a community toilet scheme where partnerships with local cafés, restaurants and pubs are entered into so that non-paying customers can use their facilities. We are also exploring ways in which existing facilities can be improved and looking at the feasibility of introducing pay per use toilets where appropriate.”