CHARGES will be introduced at two public toilets in Clevedon while discussions continue over the future of three other facilities in the resort.

Clevedon Town Council has agreed to take on a 100-year lease for the public conveniences in Station Road and at The Chalet in Elton Road which will be cleaned and maintained by a contractor on the council’s behalf.

The transfer of responsibility should take place in the next month and tender documents have been prepared.

After repairs are made to each facility they will reopen and those using them will have to pay a small charge for the privilege.

The move has been made after North Somerset Council announced it would close all public toilets from April 1 and gave town and parish councils the chance to take over responsibility for some or all facilities in their area.

Clevedon has five public toilets and it was thought the three remaining facilities in Alexandra Road, at Pier Copse and at Sixways would have to close.

However, during a town council meeting on March 20, members also decided to continue to look at ways of preserving them.

The proposal was put forward by Cllr David Shopland and a majority of 14 voted for it.

He said: “We cannot write-off the toilets adlib because we all know that once the toilets close will never find sites anywhere to put more.

“It is something that should be sorted and I will also go as far as saying that when we grant public money to public buildings, such as the YMCA, their toilets should be made available to the public.”

During the meeting, Cllr Carl Francis-Pester also revealed that discussions were being held with North Somerset Council and The Clevedon Pier and Heritage Trust with a view to keeping the toilets at Pier Copse open until planned new visitor facilities have been created at the pier.

Cllr Trevor Morgan expressed his displeasure at the fact North Somerset Council plans to close any toilets not taken on by town or parish councils on April 1. He suggested asking the town council’s contractor how much they would charge to take on the three remaining facilities.