Firefighters rescue dog from manhole

The leader of Lincoln council has admitted that if he wasn’t a member of the authority, he would be on the picket line with campaigners, as a petition to save Lincoln’s Westgate toilets is handed in.

Bailgate business owner Fiona Purkiss presented the 1,463-signature Save Our Loos petition to the authority’s full council meeting on Tuesday night.

The City of Lincoln Council hopes to save around £86,000 a year by closing public toilets around the city, however, campaigners say they are a valuable part of the high street.

Fiona, who has organised two protests against the closures, told councillors on Tuesday: “I do not think this is a political issue, it is a basic human right that we are having taken away from us fast by your decision to half the number of loos uphill.

“We are not a third world country we are a vibrant, growing city. So I beg you to stop this and just reopen the loos for local residents, visitors, and the business community.

“COVID has been really tough for us all, and now we are starting to recover our own council is trying to chop us off at the knees.”

Artwork by local artist Elaine Gorton to protest the closure of the toilets. | Image: Supplied.

Under the proposals:

• The authority will close the Victorian urinals at The Lawn, on Union Road and at Newport Arch
• Facilities at Lucy Tower and South Park will open for special events only
• Westgate car park’s toilets will only allow access via radar key, and during special events such as the Christmas Market
• The bus station facilities along with toilets on Tentercroft Street, Castle Square, Hartsholme Country Park and Boultham will remain open
• Sincil Street’s ladies toilet will be replaced with a new “modern, unisex” facility within plans to refurbish the Cornhill Market approved last week

Council leader Ric Metcalfe said he had “every sympathy” with petitioners and understood the “widespread concern”.

He said “good quality, accessible” toilets should be provided by the council as an “absolute basic service”.

Councillor Metcalfe said: “If I were not a member of this council, I’m sure my own signature, along with other members of this council, would be on this petition and I’m sure we would have been out there with our placards as well.”

However, he said there was “no magic wand just as there was never a magic money tree”.

He added: “I along with my colleagues have a solemn and legal duty to make sure the council’s books are balanced.”

Campaigners outside Westgate toilets. | Photo: Daniel Jaines

He repeated that the council’s finances were still dire, with the authority facing cuts to services across the board.

“The city council has been forced to reduce spending by £8million since 2010… and we still have £1.75m to find over the next two years,” he said.

He moved to reassure residents that “most of our toilets will remain open”.

The petition was accepted but not acted on.

A scrutiny committee is due to examine the proposals for the city as a whole in detail tonight (Wednesday).

Emergency crews have been called to a crash near to the A57 Dunham Bridge.

The crash, in which a car has reportedly rolled over, happened at around 11.30am on Wednesday, July 28, east of the toll bridge.

Traffic is building in the area and it is likely there will be a partial closure.

It is not yet clear if anyone has been injured in the crash.

Lincolnshire Police have been contacted. This story will be updated as soon as more information is available.

Those in the area can help keep others informed by emailing [email protected] or calling 01522 837217.

A 29-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a plain clothed police officer in Scunthorpe was shot at in broad daylight.

Jamie Burke, of no fixed abode, has been charged after the incident on Glebe Road, at 1.15pm on Monday, July 26.

Mr Burke has also been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life and possession of a firearm when prohibited for life. He will appear at Grimsby Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 28.

A police cordon was put in place around the area after the gun was fired. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the gunfire and investigating officers previously said that no further suspects were wanted in connection with the incident.

A police cordon was put in place.

Assistant Chief Constable at Humberside Police, Chris Noble, previously said: “Understandably, an incident of this nature will come as a shock to local residents and the local community, and indeed to the police service.

“In response to community concerns, we have had an active presence in this area for a number of months now, and our commitment to proactive policing of crime will progress, undeterred.

“Local residents will continue to see a heightened presence in the area over the coming weeks as our officers and staff conduct enquiries, provide reassurance, listen to any concerns and engage with and support the community following the incident.

“Although this incident is extremely serious, I would like to reassure members of the public that incidents of this nature in the Humberside police area are extremely rare.

“Our officers and staff remain dedicated to protecting members of the public, often placing themselves in dangerous situations and putting their own safety at risk to achieve this.”