Brand new Devon toilets will cost 40p a go
Work to replace outdated public toilet blocks across four towns in East Devon is to commence soon, but they will no longer be free to use. Instead, a 40p charge will be payable per person to help East Devon District Council (EDDC) fund the day-to-day running costs of the toilets.
The new toilets will be built in Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Seaton and Honiton, with construction expected to last around two to three months at each site. Temporary toilet facilities will be provided at Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, and Seaton throughout the works.
However, no temporary facilities will be available at Lace Walk, Honiton, which the council says is due to levels of usage and access to other public toilets in the area. The works are scheduled for completion by early 2025, with the Exmouth site expected to be finished in December and the Honiton site by February.
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The scheduled start dates (weather permitting) are:
Exmouth (Foxholes): Monday, October 7
Budleigh Salterton (East End, Lime Kiln): Monday, October 21
Seaton (West Walk): Monday, November 4
Honiton (Lace Walk): Monday, November 18
The opening hours will stay the same; 8am in the summer and winter and closing at 10pm in the summer and 7pm in the winter. Showers will be installed at all the beachfront sites.
The 40p charge to use them will be via contactless payments only. EDDC is currently working to create special measures for those who cannot or do not wish to pay by card.
In 2021, a Public Toilet Review consultation took place which attracted nearly 1,300 responses from residents and visitors. The consultation was launched to address the challenges posed by outdated and difficult-to-maintain facilities, rising operational costs, and the need for improved hygiene standards highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a result of the review, each public toilet site in East Devon was placed into one of three categories:
Category A: Key sites that will be fully refurbished to support the community and visitor economy
Category B: Less used sites, where alternative uses, such as café leases or transfers to local councils, are being considered
Category C: Sites the council can no longer afford to operate but are open for community management proposals.
The current programme of work involves toilet blocks that have been put in category A. A new toilet block was proposed at the Ham East Short Stay Car Park / Sidmouth Swimming Pool but planning permission was refused.
EDDC is funding the programme from its own capital investment along with some funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities towards the adult changing places.