THE ongoing fight to reopened Winsford's town centre public toilets was a hot topic once again at this week's town council meeting.

With the newly refurbished Winsford Town Park opening next week, attention has turned to providing toilet facilities to members of the public wanting to enjoy the new-look park.

The decision to close the Dingle Walk public toilets in February 2016, was down to anti-social behaviour including vandalism and drug taking, according to the town centre owners.

Cllr Charlie Parkinson, who has been pushing for the toilets to be reopened, said: “Having been inside and seen the toilets, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever why they could not be opened. Yes, they won’t win any awards, but they are functional.

“Chester, Ellesmere Port and Northwich all have public toilet facilities and, right now, Winsford doesn’t. The frustrating thing about it all is that they are actually there and in place.”

The Guardian reported in June 2017 that the toilets would be revamped with a view to them reopening by the end of last summer.

Cllr David Edwards made a point of identifying the accessible facilities that are already available in the town centre such as the ASDA supermarket, Wyvern House and the High Street library. Following this, Cllr Stephen Burns noted that no parks in Winsford or the surrounding Cheshire West areas have such provisions.

He said: “We are trying to get things right and it is an ongoing process. We appreciate the cooperation of ASDA for their toilet facilities as we move forward in defining the shopping centre as both vibrant and well-used.”

Deputy mayor Cllr Ailsa Gaskill-Jones called on shops and cafes to offer their facilities in the short-term future.

Cllr Gaskill-Jones said: “Nobody is getting any benefit from the news of the town park at the moment because people are concerned by the lack of toilets.

"It’s not practical to run across to ASDA with a young child so, even as a temporary measure, something needs to be done.

“Whether that being opening the old toilets or getting nearby shops and cafes to say, during the interim without the public toilets, that people can use theirs.”