Timetable set for £131,000 refurbishment of public toilets in Northumberland seaside village

Refurbishment works at the public toilets in Seahouses have been scheduled for early in the new year.
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Final plans for the £131,000 project have now been agreed with the contractors and works will begin on January 4.

They are expected to take 10 weeks and temporary toilets will be installed for that period.

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Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Bamburgh ward member on Northumberland County Council, said, “This is something I have been pushing for since my election and have had several meetings on site with council officials and senior councillors to discuss the condition of the toilets.

Seahouses public toilets. Picture: GoogleSeahouses public toilets. Picture: Google
Seahouses public toilets. Picture: Google

"We had hoped to have them ready for summer 2020, however with the current climate that was not possible and instead the work will be done this winter, ready for Easter 2021.”

The project incorporates a ‘Changing Places’ facility at each location - for those with multiple or profound physical and/or learning disabilities. This will include a height adjustable adult size changing bench, a hoist system and sufficient space for two carers.

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Council leader Glen Sanderson, speaking earlier this year, said: “Residents and tourists alike should not have to worry about finding a loo and over the next year or two we want to see improvements in others.“Currently the toilets on the island and at Seahouses offer only a very basic service and don’t meet modern day requirements. As they are so well used we feel there’s a need to go beyond simple repairs and maintenance, and to fully refurbish them.

“We also know the availability of Changing Places toilets can make a huge difference to people with a range of disabilities and their carers, helping them to access their communities and our many tourist destinations.”

The refurbished facilities will also have new vanity units and laminated cubicles, hand sanitisers, automatic lighting, taps, sanitary bins, hand dryers, soap dispensers and toilet flushes.

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