June 10, 2014 3.41 pm This story is over 132 months old

Disused Lincoln toilets set to be demolished

Toilet talks: Three Lincoln toilets, including disused open air urinals, are being considered for closure by the City of Lincoln Council.
Disused urinal facilities in Stamp End, Lincoln. Photo: Google Street View

The City of Lincoln Council is looking to shut down and demolish three public toilets, including some disused open air urinals.

Two disused open air urinal blocks at Monks Road and Stamp End would be demolished and replaced with green areas to blend in with their surroundings.

The Executive Committee will consider proposals to permanently close and decommission the facilities at its meeting on Monday, June 16.

The gents urinals at both locations have been closed since late 2011 due to anti-social behaviour and drainage issues.

The Executive will also consider a proposal to close the ladies and mens toilet facilities at St Peter at Arches.

The council say the facilities at this site are in poor condition and have suffered from misuse.

The number of users at the ladies facility is particularly low when compared with other city centre toilets.

Steve Bird, Assistant Director for Communities and Street Scene, said: “The council always seeks ways in which to improve its toilet provision, and has invested to support this aim in recent years.

“However, in some instances investment isn’t viable, and in the case of the two very old open-air urinals, spend on these facilities has become increasingly difficult to justify.

“With regards to St Peter at Arches, we are aware that the ladies facilities are not accessible for anyone with a pram or mobility problems, and that the gents facility is so poor that it would require much more than minor works to bring it up to the standard we aspire to.

“While this proposal is to consult on closure of the facility, we are aware that there is still a broad demand for publicly accessible toilet provision in the city centre.

“We will continue to work with colleagues to ensure that all new city centre developments take account of this, and provide for such a demand wherever possible.”

The City Council owns and operates a number of public toilets across the city, including award-winning toilets at Lucy Tower Street, Castle Square and Tentercroft Street.

The council maintains two other open-air Victorian urinals, at Newport Arch and Union road. The proposals do not affect these facilities.