PLANS costed at £175,000 designed to turn Petersfield central car park's much-criticised public conveniences into first- class loos are about to take shape. The plans for a new state-of-the-art public convenience were given the go-ahead by East Hampshire District councillors earlier this year. They include the provision of new unisex toilets, urinals, baby changing facilities and even an attendant on duty full time to keep them clean and deter vandals. And there will be a 20p charge for the use of the new conveniences to help pay for them. "The 20p charge applied to the new unisex toilets could generate income in the order of £40,000 a year based on the current level of usage," cabinet members were told. "In addition an estimated saving of £15,000 a year is anticipated, due to the routine cleaning duties being transferred from the present cleaning contractor to the directly employed attendants." The current loos scored very badly in EHDC's Best Value user survey. They were found to be well below the accepted standards of both residents and visitors, and they did not comply fully with the new Disability Discrimination Act. The current toilets will be closed from Monday and temporary toilets will be provided close by until the end of the works, which is expected to be in mid-November. EHDC's technical officer for environmental health, Brian Redwood, said: "I am sure residents and visitors to Petersfield will be delighted that these conveniences are being brought up to date. The building has been in constant use since its construction in the early 70s, with very little modernisation being carried out in that time. "The toilets were of a comparatively high standard when they were built, and they have been well used over the last 30 years, but now they're worn out and not acceptable by modern standards and expectations." The temporary toilet unit will contain three ladies' toilet cubicles and three men's cubicles and urinals – all with hand washing facilities. It will be parallel to the Waitrose trolley store on the opposite side of the public walkway. A toilet for disabled people will be provided at the back of Pickets & Pursers. The toilet will be accessible with a Radar key, and will only be available during normal shop opening hours. Signs will be put up giving directions to this toilet, as well as the 24-hour facility in St Peter's Road.
