Council rejects bringing back portable loos to combat antisocial behaviour

By Rory Poulter 24th Aug 2022

Council chiefs have rejected the need to bring back portable toilets on Twickenham Green and Richmond Green to combat antisocial behaviour.

Residents have reported problems of people urinating in the streets or against properties at weekends.

And with both public spaces expected to attract large groups over the Bank Holiday weekend, residents are bracing themselves for a repeat.

The Council paid to put up portable toilets on both Greens and the Riverside during the pandemic, when many pubs, cafes and other outlets with facilities were closed, however it was expensive.

Separately, the Council is consulting on the idea of erecting permanent new public toilets around Richmond Green or the town centre.

This week, Twitter user Twickenham Alive complained that his pleas for action on the issue have been ignored.

He wrote: "Yep, people from Twickenham Green p*****g on my property again! Every bloomin week!!

"Thanks @LBRUT, @LBRuT_Help, @TRLibDems, @munirawilson for ignoring and doing nothing to fix this ongoing problem.

"And Richmond Green residents having same problem, also ignored."

Another resident added: "So awful! The Borough is surely rich enough to bring those loos they had during 2020. Unacceptable."

Council leader Gareth Roberts insisted the issue has greatly improved compared to the pandemic period.

He told Nub News: "We are working hard with the Police to tackle all anti-social behaviour across the borough, however a lack of public toilets is not a contributing factor to issues around Twickenham and Richmond Greens.

"In Twickenham, we have an arrangement with Twickenham Cricket Club so provide public access to toilets. In Richmond, there are public toilets at Richmond Station and at the Old Town Hall. Many local pubs and restaurants will also allow access to their facilities."

He added: "We provided temporary public toilets last year, when the pandemic meant many facilities could not be open to the public, at a significant cost to council tax payers.

"The wider availability of public facilities this year has, thankfully, had a positive impact and we have seen the number of issues reduce this summer. We have not had a requirement for additional temporary toilets this year."

     

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