More details about the closure of a block of toilets in Richmond Park have emerged - and one councillor is not happy.

As we reported the public toilets inside Ham Gate were shut late last month.

At the time Royal Parks said the closure would let it "focus its remaining resources and service levels on the areas of greatest demand in order to provide the best possible visitor experience".

Now in a new statement the charity gives a further reason:

The Royal Parks charity has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure has been undertaken to save money. This will allow us to invest our remaining funds to refurbish four other toilet blocks in Richmond Park after Christmas.

The nearest alternative facilities are at Petersham Gate, Pembroke Lodge, Isabella Plantation and Kingston Gate.

The toilets at Ham Gate were proposed for closure as long ago as the 1990s - being the lightest used and not associated with either parking or catering facilities.

Read more: Block of toilets in Richmond Park closed permanently

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As a result they have received little investment over the years and do not meet modern requirements in terms of access for those with restricted mobility or young families.

The link with a lack of nearby parking has particularly irked Cllr Andree Frieze (Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside; Green Party).

"Really annoyed part of the reason the Royal Parks gives for closing the toilet at Ham Gate is because it is 'not associated with parking'," she said.

"Why is the management of Richmond Park prioritising the needs of people coming by car over those on foot, bike or bus?"

Movement Strategy

A consultation is currently ongoing into plans to reduce cut-through traffic in the park.

Leading conservation charity Friends of Richmond Park has said: "In the long-term through traffic is surely incompatible with a National Nature Reserve; the park should not be a relief valve for the roads outside it."

Your views

Was the charity right to close these toilets and focus on the four other lavatories? Could pedestrians' needs be valued more highly?

Why not send us a reader's letter with what you think about this issue?

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