RECENTLY re-opened public toilets at Branksome Chine have been criticised for an apparent lack of working facilities despite having just undergone repairs.
The toilets were closed over the weekend of July 16 and 17 due to electrical issues which had stopped the sewage pumps from working.
They were reopened by the council early last week but some residents claim they “may as well have stayed closed” after reporting several facilities, mostly in the women’s toilets, not working.
One resident visiting the beach went into the toilets shortly after they reopened at around 7.30am on Monday and said she was “outraged” by the facilities.
She reported a cubicle again closed for maintenance, a sink in the baby changing room with no running water, an out of order hand washing machine – which she says has been broken for “months”, as well as general dirtiness.
The resident questioned how the lack of working facilities was acceptable given recent the maintenance closures.
She said: “I and a lot of other people are becoming more and more outraged as time goes on.
“The issues may sound petty but we’re just fed up because nothing seems to change. It’s summer so we know how many people are going to come down to the beaches, so why are facilities like this not fixed in advance? It’s shocking.
“Then with the lack of handwashing facilities, there were woman queuing to use the few that work – and it was a long queue. People have actually started washing their hands in the new drinking water fountains they’ve installed.”
She did, however, praise the improvement in litter clearing at Branksome after busy beach days recently.
People took to social media to have their say on the Branksome Chine toilets with some agreeing with the resident, while others had more sympathy for the council.
One person said: “They have all winter to make sure everything is up and running for the summer season. They just aren't prepared to allocate time and money to keep on top of things.”
Whereas another said: “I have just visited the [ladies] toilets at Branksome and yes, there was only one hand wash facility, however, they had been cleaned and they were acceptable for their age.”
Another woman added: “If people didn't mistreat them then they would be in service.”
The Daily Echo approached BCP Council for comment.
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