Toilet problems in Runswick Bay
There's concern over the provision of public conveniences.
Last updated 6th May 2021
It is unlikely that extra toilets will be provided in a popular seaside village near Whitby, despite claims that visitors have been relieving themselves in residents’ gardens.
People living in Runswick Bay have asked Scarborough Council to provide more facilities in the village, which was named as Britain’s best beach last year by the Sunday Times.
The council closed a set of toilets at the top of the village in 2017, due to a lack of demand and it had been hoped that decision could be reversed.
The council’s portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods, Cllr Tony Randerson, told a meeting of the authority’s full council that he had visited Runswick Bay and felt the current facilities at the bottom of the village were “adequate”.
The concerns of the villagers had been raised by Whitby councillor Glenn Goodberry.
Cllr Goodberry highlighted that temporary toilets had been provided in Scabrorough’s South Bay while its restrooms were being refurbished.
Cllr Goodberry said that people did not want to see a return to the issues of last summer where residents reported finding evidence of “number ones and number twos” in their gardens.
He said:
“Is there any possibility about having temporary toilet facilities at Runswick Bay just to alleviate the problems in the coming summer season?”
Cllr Randerson said that there were no plans to provide new toilets but did offer a glimmer of hope.
He said:
“With regards to the Runswick Bank Top toilets there has been interest shown by a business person to change it into a cafe-cum-toilet.
“So that could well happen in the near future.
“The likelihood of us providing temporary toilets in Runswick Bay are extremely slim.”
Cllr Randerson revealed that it had been costing the borough council ÂŁ1.15 for each person using the bank top toilets when the decision was taken to close them four years ago.
That was compared to 11p per person for the toilets at the bottom of the village.
Cllr Randerson said:
“Clearly it was shut for a reason, there was a lack of footfall .”
He added that Hinderwell Parish Council could also look to take over the toilets and re-open them.