£18,000 a year to keep Wadebridge public toilets open

Wadebridge Town Council may have to pay more than £18,000 a year to prevent the town's main public toilets from closing.

Cornwall Council has drawn up plans to close 114 toilets in the county unless town and parish councils take responsibility for them and agree to pay the maintenance costs.

Shutting almost half the public lavatories in Cornwall will save the cash-strapped local authority £1.1 million, but many town and parish councils do not have the finances to operate local toilets unless residents pay more in annual precepts.

Among those which are earmarked for closure are the Wadebridge town-centre conveniences on The Platt. Cornwall Council says they cost more than £18,200 per year to run.

Wadebridge Town Council said it was never consulted about the decision.

A spokeswoman said: "The town council has not received anything in writing as yet but is shocked that Cornwall Council will be closing The Platt public conveniences.

Other loos that are facing closure are at Cory's Shelter in Padstow, St Merryn, St Mabyn and St Tudy.