Saltash public toilets under review as costs near £3,000 a month

Every flush, every roll of paper and every lock-up at night in a Saltash public toilet comes with a bill, and the town council wants to know whether residents still want to pay it.

Saltash Town Council has launched a public consultation seeking the views of members of the public on the future provision of public toilets in the town.

What the consultation is asking

The Town Council currently provides public toilets at Longstone Park, Belle Vue, Waterside and Alexandra Square, and is reviewing their future. The review takes into account usage, condition, accessibility, security, opening hours, nearby alternative facilities and the ongoing cost of provision.

The consultation asks for views on the importance of each facility, whether investment in improvements to address safety and vandalism would be appropriate, and the future provision of public toilets in the town. No decisions have been made at this stage. The feedback received will help inform the Town Council’s consideration of the future of these facilities.

The cost of keeping the doors open

The facilities carry significant running costs, including cleaning, utilities, maintenance and repairs. The Town Council also faces additional costs associated with vandalism and antisocial behaviour, which can affect the safety, security and availability of the toilets.

The cost of opening, closing and cleaning the public toilets was just under £3,000 per month in 2024/25, before additional running, maintenance and vandalism-related repair costs are taken into account.

📷Consultation poster: Saltash Town Council

How to have your say

The consultation is open until Monday 21 September 2026, and the Town Council encourages all members of the public who use public toilets in Saltash to take part. The survey takes approximately three minutes to complete.

Members of the public can take part by scanning the QR code on the consultation poster, or by picking up a paper copy from Saltash Guildhall or Saltash Library Hub. Alternative formats are available on request.

For further information, or to request an alternative format, contact Saltash Town Council on 01752 844846 or email [email protected].

“Public toilets are an important facility for our residents and visitors. Before any decisions are made about their future, we want to hear from those who use them. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to complete the consultation and have their say,” said Mayor Cllr Brian Stoyel.