AN OLD toilet block at the Recreation Ground in Fordingbridge looks set to be demolished.

It was discussed during a finance and policy meeting of Fordingbridge Town Council on Wednesday, September 28.

Committee chairman, Cllr Mike Jackson described the cost of demolition and getting the asbestos removed as “eye watering”.

Cllr Diane Paton said: “If we could just knock it down I would be 100 per cent in favour but I do think it is a ridiculous amount.”

Cllr Pat Earth added: “It is not going to get any cheaper to do it. The longer we wait the more the cost will go up.”

The meeting heard the council needed to take action to remove the asbestos and that the structure was “dilapidated” and there had been reports of children climbing on it.

The risks associated it were highlighted by, Cllr Paul Anstey, who said: “It is not just the price going up. It is becoming more and more unsafe and people will climb on it and fall through that roof and it will be put to us ‘council what were you doing?’. What we should do is bite the bullet on the cost and get rid.”

Back in 2020 a proposal was put forward by Avon Valley Shed to lease the building and repair and refurbish the building into a community space. However, this did not go ahead.

An idea previously put forward was turning it into a “seaside-type” shelter. One of the options was to demolish the side walls and integrate timber posts while retaining the disabled toilet. Each of the options included replacing the roof.

And earlier in the year the town council discussed ideas of turning it into a “seaside-type” shelter.

One of the options put forward was to demolish the side walls and integrate timber posts while retaining the disabled toilet. Each of the options included replacing the roof.

Cllr Pete White proposed that the council “bite the bullet and knock it down”. This recommendation was agreed by the committee.

More quotes for the work were going to be obtained by the council.

During the meeting, councillors also agreed recommendations to install signs to mark the area of Ashford. 

Cllr Pete White said he had been approached by members of the public asking if there was any reason why Ashford was never recognised as being an official part of Fordingbridge. 

He said: "It is highlighted on maps going back to mid the 1800s."

Cllr White added that interest had grown for the "Ashford marker signs" to mark the boundaries as part of the town.

The black and white signs would just say Ashford and the cost, including installation, was £380.