Temporary toilets are due to be installed in two popular North Yorkshire coastal towns this month as swift action is taken to ensure essential facilities are in place for the busy Easter period.
A total of 20 toilets including accessible provision are to be opened at Royal Parade in Filey and West Pier in Scarborough after serious structural issues led to the closure of two toilet blocks last month (February).
With large numbers of visitors expected in both towns over the Easter holidays and the busy summer period, we have acted quickly to accelerate plans and secure temporary facilities in time for the start of the traditional tourism season.
The toilets are set to be operational in both locations by the end of this month.
Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “We fully understand and appreciate the frustration caused by the current lack of toilet facilities in Filey and Scarborough.
“With both Royal Parade and West Pier, we were left with no alternative but to close the facilities due to the safety concerns raised.
“We have faced a number of challenges in securing temporary provision on both sites, but we have been actively exploring alternative options. We are pleased to have now secured 20 temporary toilets – five at Royal Parade and 15 at West Pier - which will be fully operational by the end of this month.
“We have looked carefully at the best way to introduce the temporary toilets. While the amount of space is limited in Filey, we do believe that the location of the temporary toilets in the town will provide the best possible solution.
“This is the first phase of the work, and we recognise that the temporary provision is a reduction on the number of the permanent toilets. We will continue to explore options to increase the number of temporary toilets in both towns.
“I would like to thank our communities for their ongoing cooperation as we worked to reach a positive resolution as quickly as possible.”
The public conveniences at Royal Parade in Filey were closed to the public on Friday, 13 February, after serious structural issues were identified at the site.
The toilet block’s condition had worsened in recent months, with further deterioration caused by structural defects, age and weathering, as well as a period of sustained heavy rainfall.
Longer-term proposals to redevelop and refurbish the site, including considering the installation of new permanent toilet facilities, are continuing to be progressed.
Less than a fortnight after the Royal Parade toilets closed, engineers visited Building No1 on Scarborough’s West Pier and identified potential structural issues at the site.
As a result, the building, which had ground floor toilets, was forced to close, with its tenants moved out for safety reasons.
Temporary toilets have since been secured and will be installed at the West Pier car park, directly opposite the existing building, by the end of this month.
Further work is being carried out to inform the extent of the repairs required and establish how long it will take to reinstate permanent facilities at West Pier.
See more information about public toilet facilities in your area.