
Toilet charging may increase 'public fouling risk'
The council's report also said it recognised a potential "impact on tourism and businesses" and that "a reduction in public convenience provision could deter visitors". Several petitions have been launched by campaigners who want to keep services open, gathering thousands of signatures between them.The local authority said it was a "difficult" decision to "reduce any valued service" but the impact of closures or charging "must be balanced with the council's requirement to remain financially viable".A decision on whether or not to go ahead with the plans is expected to be made by members at a full council meeting on Tuesday.
Petitions have been launched by campaigners who want to keep the blocks at those locations open.Alan Connett, Lib Dem councillor for Exminster and Haldon at Devon County Council, set up a petition to save the public toilets in Starcross, which is in his ward.He said the number of petitions launched showed how important the facilities were to many."They may not use them every day or indeed every week but they like to know they are there," Connett said."I hope Teignbridge think again and abandon this plan."
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