I WAS sorry to hear the public toilet facility experience of the visitors from Hampshire (Letters, August 31).

Little comfort to them, but it’s a fact that residents fare no better.

I have cause to use the gents’ facilities at Winton and Westbourne, where in both the 1ft wide commercial toilet rolls are stolen within hours, daily, from their insecure holders.

The stainless steel Winton gents’ urinal is caked with lime, as are the two gents’ toilet bowls in Westbourne ... notwithstanding 21st century cleaning materials.

One of the two there has no seat.

In Westbourne gents, failed lighting last winter went months without being sorted, as is the currently the case with the fan in the hand-wash.

It’s clear that whoever holds the BCP public convenience portfolio (is there one?) doesn’t inspect the toilets and hold the cleaning/maintenance contractors to account.

There are now so few public conveniences left, it shouldn’t be beyond the wit of the council to see they are properly cleaned and maintained.

We all know the problems with vandalism, but the blame can be fairly placed on those who thought “care in the community” was preferable to institutions.

For those sad residents, “Where to go? ... what to do?”

I’m also well aware of “problems arising”. As a pub landlord in my younger days, I used to do my own toilet cleaning and maintenance.

There is a saying we’ve all come to know: “No excuse.”

GEOFF BEARD-WALKER

Withermoor Road