LIB DEMS HOPPING MAD AT MASS CLOSURE OF TOILETS

12.00.00am GMT Sun 12th Jan 2003

Lib Dem spokesman Councillor Martin Elengorn today slammed Tory proposals to close most highway public conveniences.

Proposals to do this are going to the Cabinet on 14th January in the name of the Cabinet Member for the Environment.

Said Cllr Elengorn "Toilets in Richmond, Twickenham, Whitton and Teddington are proposed for closure to save £60,000 per annum."

"This is a much smaller sum than the Tories propose to lavish on providing motorists with 30 minutes' free parking in the town centres."

"As ever their priorities are wrong. Although some disabled facilities will be retained these closures most disadvantage the elderly and mothers with small children who are the least likely to be customers of cafes or pubs and use the toilets there."

"There is no evidence that the Tories have consulted groups representing the elderly or mums with toddlers."

"In Teddington they propose that the toilets at Teddington Pool should be used by the general public but again there is no evidence that the Pool Users' Group have been consulted."

"Lib Dems intend to fight this proposal which will make our town centres less attractive and are hardly consistent with the Tory rhetoric about fostering civic pride."

For further information, contact Cllr Elengorn at 0208 977 1187 (Home).