The number of temporary toilets in a popular North Yorkshire coastal town will more than double as action is taken ahead of the busy summer season.
Eight additional toilets are currently being installed at Royal Parade in Filey, which will take the total to 13 including accessible provision.
We have acted to increase the capacity after listening to feedback from residents and visitors, as well as recognising that large numbers of people are expected to visit the town over the summer period.
Temporary toilets were first introduced at Royal Parade in March after serious structural issues were identified at the existing toilet block.
That provision is now set to be significantly bolstered to meet rising demand ahead of the summer holidays, with the additional toilets due to be fully operational by Friday, 19 June.
The additional facilities have been delivered and installation is now underway, with improved accessibility measures also due to be in place by the end of next week.
Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “It’s important that our communities have access to good public facilities, and we understand the frustration about the lack of public toilets on the coast, including in Filey and Scarborough.
“In both towns, we were left with little choice but to reluctantly close some toilets earlier this year for safety reasons but have moved to install temporary provision as longer-term solutions are explored.
“Having listened to recent feedback from residents and visitors in Filey about queues and rising demand at peak times, it was clear that further action was needed. I’m pleased that we have been able to respond and install eight additional toilets at Royal Parade, more than doubling the current provision.
“This is a clear example of us taking proactive steps to improve public facilities for our communities.”
A Filey Town Council spokesperson added: “We are pleased that North Yorkshire Council have responded to our request and increased the number of toilets for Royal Parade.
“This should help to accommodate and ease the demand for use of public conveniences over the summer period for residents and visitors."
The public conveniences at Royal Parade were closed in February this year after serious structural issues were identified. The condition of the building had deteriorated due to structural defects, age, weathering, and a period of sustained adverse weather.
Longer-term proposals for the redevelopment and refurbishment of the site, including provision of permanent toilet facilities, continue to be explored.
A fortnight after the Royal Parade facilities closed, structural issues were also identified at Building No1 on Scarborough’s West Pier, forcing the closure of both the building and its ground floor toilets.
Temporary toilets were swiftly secured and installed at the West Pier car park, directly opposite the existing building. Further work is being carried out to determine how long it may take to reinstate permanent facilities at West Pier.
See more information about public toilet facilities in your area.