?THE fight goes on? ? that was the sentiment expressed after a parish council meeting in Bere Alston last week, attended by concerned residents of Bere Ferrers determined to stop the proposed closure of public toilets in the village.
The cost-cutting move has been agreed by West Devon Borough Council, which says the seven most under-used public conveniences in West Devon will have to close to plug a budgetary gap.
David Inman, the borough?s deputy chief, attended the meeting and explained the move, which will save £9,000 a year.
The meeting was told that provision of public toilets was discretionary, not statutory.
Mr Inman said if the parish council would assume responsibility for the toilets, the borough would continue to pay rates on the premises and a small grant may be available towards their upkeep.
Bere Ferrers ward member Christine Grills said: ?People have been asking me in the village what they can do, and I am urging them to write and object to the closure.?
Cllr Grills said it was ?absolute nonsense? to claim the public toilets in Bere Ferrers were some of the least used in West Devon.
?They are trying to encourage people to visit the area, but they?re not going to come if there are no facilities.
?You can?t expect people to let strangers use their toilets, and you can?t expect the pub to be open all day, just to let people use the loos ? it?s not on, it?s a step backwards in this day and age,? said Cllr Grills.
Bere Ferrers resident Ann Endean told the meeting that the
borough council supported the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, which was instrumental in bringing visitors to Bere Ferrers.
Mrs Endean said the toilets were ?an absolutely essential facility? for these visitors.
She said residents were ?disgusted? at the borough?s decision.
Eaon Wager, chairman of the parish council, said: ?They?ve told us they?re closing the toilets and they want us to take them on, but we haven?t made a decision yet.
?They?re not closing them until next year so it gives us a bit of time to fight it, hopefully.?
The proposed closures of public toilets will be discussed at the next meeting of West Devon?s environment and health committee on October 22. Anyone with an opinion regarding the proposal can write to the committee at West Devon Borough Council, Kilworthy Park, Drake Road, Tavistock PL19 0BZ.