Complaints made about Northumberland sand dunes being used as a toilet while public loos closed

The concerns have been raised in Bamburgh and Alnmouth – where the public toilets remain closed – since the easing of lockdown in recent weeks.

Coun Andrew Bardgett, vice chairman of Bamburgh Parish Council, said: “The problem has been people not thinking ahead at all.

“They have just turned up and found everything is shut with no toilets. They want to go to the loo and just go behind the Pavilion.

“I think we should just keep pressurising Northumberland County Council to try and get the toilets open.

“They have had long enough to think about it so I would hope they will do something about it pretty quickly.”

Coun Kerry Noble, speaking at a meeting of Belford Parish Council, added: “I have heard several comments from people in Bamburgh about the state of the dunes.”

Alnmouth Parish Council chairman Shaun Whyte said: “My view is that the toilets being open don’t act as a magnet to attract visitors to the village, but they do help avoid situations like we’ve seen in recent weekends where the burgage holders in their Monday clean-up were faced with one or two unpleasant areas which needed attention.”

Northumberland County Council reopened a small number of toilets last weekend, including those at Beadnell and Druridge Bay Country Park.

The public toilets at The Shambles in Alnwick were due to open on Thursday, June 11 to coincide with the return of the market.

It is hoping to reopen others in the coming weeks, subject to the appropriate safety measures being put in place.

A county council spokesperson said: “Over the coming weeks we hope to open as many as we can - but we have to put safety first.

“Visitors should therefore continue to plan their journeys bearing in mind that most facilities remain closed at this time.”

Coun Guy Renner-Thompson, Bamburgh ward member, said: “I haven’t got a firm date but the Bamburgh toilets will be open, if not this week then the beginning of next week.

Coun Gordon Castle, Alnwick ward member, said: “I think Alnmouth will be quite soon.”

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