CONTROVERSIAL plans to close public toilets across Eden are to go under the spotlight again after councillors admitted we got it wrong'.

Councillors voted to send the unpopular plans - which could see toilets in Appleby, Glenridding, Penrith and Kirkby Stephen closed back to the scrutiny committee that devised them for further consideration.

The proposals were discussed at a heated special meeting of Eden District Council last Thursday, which was attended by a dozen angry members of the public who were reassured they would be consulted this time.

Under the council's proposals, toilets in Appleby's Shire Hall and Glenridding village would be axed. And it looks certain that public conveniences in Westgarth, Kirkby Stephen, and Portland Place, Penrith, will shut anyway.

The authority has also proposed to hand over 11 others, including toilets in Shap, Brough and Tebay, to interested parties such as parish councils and community groups.

But parish councils such as Shap may have to raise parish precepts to cover the cost of taking on the responsibility, putting the financial burden on local residents.

The special meeting heard an alternative plan from a group of councillors led by Coun Gordon Nicolson (Penrith North), who are vehemently opposed to the district council's proposals.

They argue their plan would save the authority £42,000 and keep more loos open.

But the resounding call at the meeting was for the alternative plan and the district council's original plan to be considered by the scrutiny committee before a new set of proposals are put to the full council.

Coun Tim Evans stressed: "If we get it wrong, we think about it again and don't make a knee-jerk reaction."

Kirkby Stephen councillor Mark Saunders, who backed the alternative plan, blasted chiefs for failing to consult the public, carrying out risk assessments or researching levels of toilet usage.

"If the council wants to save some money I have a proposal we can reduce the number of elected members," he said.

But Brough councillor Malcolm Smith said the closures had to be considered.

"If we can't afford what we want you just can't have it and that's the case with the toilets at the moment."

Shap resident John Lowis, who has collected 4,000 signatures from local residents and visitors across the British Isles, Europe and the USA, said he had expected the resolution. He again stressed the importance of public toilets, not just to local residents, but also to the thousands of visitors who pass through the villages affected each year. "All those tourists and no toilets, ugh!" he said. "We need these toilets to stay open."

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