Alnwick Town Council: Potential public toilets revamp, plus parking and roadworks updates

Northumberland County Council is exploring the possibility of improvements to the facilities on Greenwell Lane and at The Shambles.

Cllr Gordon Castle, at a meeting of Alnwick Town Council, revealed: “Design work is underway for the possible refurbishment of the toilets at both Greenwell Lane and The Shambles.

"The Shambles is particularly difficult as it is a listed building but the work is underway and the town council will be consulted on subsequent maintenance.”

He also pointed out that every public toilet in Morpeth is now managed by Morpeth Town Council.

Earlier this year, Cllr Castle conceded the existing facilities were ‘inadequate’ and intimated that the town’s public toilets were in line for ‘a significant sum’.

Mayor Lynda Wearn has also previously labelled them ‘a disgrace’.

Meanwhile, Cllr Castle also reported that design work is underway for the new 198 space car park at Howling Lane on the site of the former Duchess’s High School.

"We’ve asked that is should be functioning with CCTV before next summer and that, if possible, a temporary overspill with extra spaces should be put in place this summer,” he said.

The council is also being asked to bring forward proposed resurfacing works on Denwick Lane.

Cllr Castle said: “Officers are reluctant to close it while visitor numbers are increasing through the summer but we have asked the county council to reconsider this in view of the very poor condition of the road to the Alnwick Garden entrance. It’s hazardous.”

Cllr Martin Swinbank said it was the subject of an urgent safety audit.

“I cycled down it and you’ve got to pick your route carefully,” he said.

Cllr Peter Broom suggested the work could be done at night because there would be minimal impact on residents.

It was reported that white line refreshing had taken place in the town, an issue raised last year by Cllr Martin Harrington.

Cllr Castle has also asked for civil enforcement officers to keep an eye on the bus station area where concerns have been raised about litter and anti-social behaviour.

“I have asked that we investigate the increased use of civilian enforcement officers who have the powers to deal with offenders where litter is concerned. I’ve asked that they allocate their attention more to the bus station area.

“There is probably a need for better CCTV,” he added.

Cllr Broom also bemoaned the amount of cigarette butts outside pubs.

“Since the pubs have reopened the amount of cigarette ends outside public houses is absolutely shameful. A cigarette butt is litter. There seems to be a reluctance to prosecute.”

Cllr Castle also noted that some residents, such as those on St James’ Estate, had received letters from the county council drawing attention to their liability when kerbs are damaged.

"If you haven’t got a dropped kerb then strictly speaking you haven’t got a right of access to your driveway,” he said. “It requires the consent of the county council.

"No-one is saying that is going to stop but we are going to review the situation to make people aware. This is an issue which occasionally becomes a serious problem in instances where kerbs have become damaged and the council has had to pay for it.”

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