I WRITE in response to the article ‘Town loos to shut amid budget cuts’ in the Thursday's, 5 February 2016 Echo.

In the ‘good old days’ public toilets were signed public conveniences, i.e. for the convenience of the public. Shame on you, Poole council, for proposing to close a facility essential for public hygiene.

On the one hand we are led to understand that the council wants to promote tourism and, on the other, is taking steps to make Poole an unwelcoming place to shop and visit.

Does the council really expect private business personnel shopkeepers to become lavatory attendants – to take on the task of keeping their toilet hygienic and to deal with management of waste (nappies etc!) above and beyond the normal use of their staff and customers?

Poole Quay hosts mass events attracting thousands of people – Bikers’ Night, Fireworks, New Year’s Day Bath Race, French Markets, RLNI events, and Boat and Water Festivals. Are business owners expected to cope with constant requests to use their small facility?

Desperate peopleadults and children on the Quay and in the High Street need to know where such facilities are open. Will the signage be obvious?

This proposal is an example of councillors’/council officers’ lack of awareness of the basic requirements when managing crowd situations.

They should consider the consequences of their decision and recognise the risk to public health caused by the probability that people will seek secluded corners and car parks as places for both adults and children to relieve themselves.

Eileen Parsons

Branksea Avenue, Poole