A beauty spot near Newquay has been left without public toilets with locals fearing that it could become a hotbed for people defecating as they did during the Covid pandemic
A picturesque Cornwall village near the bustling tourist hotspot of Newquay is grappling with a grim issue. Llocals fear that the closure of public toilets will lead to a spike in visitors relieving themselves on its unspoiled sandbanks. Cornwall Council has allegedly axed funding for the loos at Porthcothan Bay, leaving the parish council unable to foot the bill for their upkeep.
This has sparked dread among villagers who recall the unsavoury scenes during the Covid pandemic when beachgoers turned the sandy haven into an open-air toilet, causing distress and disgust among residents. The beachside facilities, which were accessible from April to October and managed by the parish council, charged a modest 20p entry fee to help with cleaning and maintenance expenses.
But now, Mary Neale, a parish councillor for St Eval, has revealed that Cornwall Council has pulled the plug on the financial support that was crucial for the toilet’s maintenance, forcing the local authority to shut down the only public conveniences in the village. Speaking to CornwallLive, she expressed her concern: “The prospect for 2025 is a crowded beach with no public toilets. People will be defecating in the dunes, the caves and the sea.”
During the lockdowns, there was a noticeable increase in people using the sandbanks and waterfront as a lavatory, resulting in the beach being littered with toilet paper and becoming a magnet for rats.
Stephen Rushworth, the county council representative for the area, has starkly likened the dire situation to that of “a Third World Country”, reports the Express.
He said: “I’m sure people will start [defecating on the seafront] again.”
“Where are the lifeguards going to go if they need to use the toilet?”
Concerns were also raised about the council’s decision to impose all-day parking charges at the seaside car park and to transfer ownership to Corserv, its arm, and a private enforcement firm. Speaking to CornwallLive, a spokesperson from Cornwall Council said the move is a part of plans to “transfer the ownership or management of more than 200 public toilets across Cornwall to city, parish and town councils,” aligned with a push for devolution.
The spokesperson added, “We have provided grants to a few communities to support them during this transfer including an annual grant of £10,000 to help St Eval parish council take on management of public toilets at Porthcothan Bay.”
“We will be speaking to town and parish councils affected by the proposals so we can support them in plans to safeguard the future of assets important to their communities.”