As a resident of Shanklin, I consider the town council should be ashamed of itself regarding the condition of the toilets on the Esplanade adjacent to Shanklin Chine.

At the moment only four toilet cubicles are being used by males and females.

This is most unpleasant for the ladies as on many occasions the 'gentlemen' have performed on the stainless steel toilet seats and ladies of a certain age find it very difficult to 'hover' above the wet seat.

I understand the council are trying to find a solution to the problems involved in this set of toilets.

Isle of Wight County Press: The public toilets on Shanklin Esplanade, near Shanklin Chine.

There are a total of 42 beach huts adjacent to these toilets, during the season well occupied each with three or four residents, often more.

In addition there are several cafes — all without toilet facilities. The beach has been packed recently and there are many thousands needing these toilets.

The facilities at the middle set of toilets on the Esplanade have been shut this year and this can necessitate a very long walk - often in desperate need - all the way along to the other end of the Esplanade.

The proposals mentioned have included the suggestion of a 'charge' for the use of the toilets, which is absurd in this tourist environment.

It beggars belief that the male and female facilities within the current building cannot be gutted and refurbished at a more reasonable cost than starting from scratch.

Putting shower facilities in is a nonsense as this will ensure that users will spend many minutes in the facility and surely an outside tap to wash feet is all that is required.

Each sex requires several toilets in the building, rather than just a few, to meet the heavy demand all year round, rather than using the sea as is obvious currently!

The council should be supporting tourism, not leaving their heads in the sand as would appear currently the case.

Councillors should remember that they are elected officials and can be voted out next time if they do not properly represent the interests of the town

Do the council not understand that if they want people coming to our wonderful beach and boosting tourism and supporting the traders who have had a really tough year, it is certainly a very poor advertisement of what Shanklin Town Council has to offer?

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