June 6, 2016 4.48 pm This story is over 92 months old

Council proposes 20p charge for three Lincoln city centre public toilets

Plans to charge residents and visitors for using three public toilets in Lincoln city centre will be discussed by councillors this week. City of Lincoln Council has announced that a charge of 20p could be made for those who want to use the toilet at the Castle Square, Tentercroft Street and Lucy Tower Street toilets. The…

Plans to charge residents and visitors for using three public toilets in Lincoln city centre will be discussed by councillors this week.

City of Lincoln Council has announced that a charge of 20p could be made for those who want to use the toilet at the Castle Square, Tentercroft Street and Lucy Tower Street toilets.

The council hopes that the three toilet charges will create an income of £29,007 a year, which will then be used to update and regenerate the facilities for the public.

It has pointed to a 99% drop in its grant from central government over the next four years as a reason for the proposed charge.

If this change in charging system is a success, all public toilets in the city could potentially follow suit.

The council has also said that a charge would deter people from using the public toilets for “other reasons”.

Steve Bird, Assistant Director for Communities and Street Scene at City of Lincoln Council, said: “Anecdotal evidence suggests that most people, having experienced charges brought in at other authorities, are prepared and often expect to pay for good toilet facilities, especially in destinations known for their tourism.

“Increasingly charging has become recognised as a way by which visitors to a district, who impact on local infrastructure but pay nothing directly towards its upkeep, can financially contribute to the costs.

“Local people have more choice by knowing where alternative ‘free to use’ facilities can be found.”

Councillors on the Policy Scrutiny Committee will consider the proposed charges at a meeting at City Hall on June 7.