Dedham: Village to get new loos

8:22am Thursday 15th May 2008

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VISITORS to Dedham could soon be able to use convenient conveniences.

Tourists calling in at the picturesque village in the heart of Constable country currently have to walk nearly half a mile to the nearest public toilets at Dutchy Field near St Mary's Church.

Now Colchester Council has made new toilets in the Mill Road car park its next priority.

The council devised a strategy to improve toilet facilities across the borough with a budget of £800,000.

Money has been spent to revamp the toilets at St Mary's and Lion Walk and new toilets at Dedham are next on the list.

If the scheme goes ahead, work could start on the loos in August and be ready for the 2009 summer season.

Temporary toilets will be installed in the car park this year to cater for desperate tourists.

Dedham councillor Christopher Garnett has been campaigning for public toilets to be put in the Mill Road car park for a number of years.

He said: "It is great news. The temporary ones is a step in the right direction, new toilets will be even better.

"Perhaps then the elderly will not have to be in great discomfort when they arrive on their coaches. The gentlemen, instead of fleeing into a hedge, will be able to behave in a more civilised manner."

Thousands of tourists visit Dedham each year generating thousands of pounds for the village's economy.

Dave McManus, street care and recycling manager, said care would be taken over the design of the new toilet as Dedham is an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Mr McManus said: "We are trying to provide good quality toilets around the borough.

"The next step is to release additional funding. Dedham is seen as the next priority."

The existing toilets at Dutchy Field are also due to be refurbished.

The revamp of the Lion Walk toilets has cost in the region of £300,000.