Yeovil’s bus station is set to close its public toilets as a result of the significant annual maintenance cost of £70,000. Somerset Council, the funding source, withdrew its support leading to the announcement of the closure on Friday, May 31.
The impending closure has raised concerns among residents, particularly regarding the impact on elderly and disabled individuals. Expressing her worry on Facebook, one resident highlighted the dilemma faced by individuals with limited mobility, young children, and those with medical needs in accessing alternative facilities.
Another member of the community criticized the decision, stating, “How ridiculous, no consideration for vulnerable people, IE: the elderly. They aren’t going to be able to go to the top of town.”
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The potential negative impression on tourists has also been a point of apprehension for residents, with one local expressing sympathy for bus passengers arriving after a long journey, only to be inconvenienced by the lack of nearby facilities.
However, not all reactions to the closure were negative, as one resident supported the decision, emphasizing the need for the council to prioritize spending on more critical services.
Despite the pleas from the public and transport advocates, Yeovil Town Council, unable to allocate the necessary resources, confirmed the closure. They highlighted the significant investment required to maintain the facilities and the budgetary constraints that led to this outcome.
David Redgewell, from the South West Transport Network group, urged the leader of Somerset Council to reconsider the decision, citing the negligible savings in comparison to the impact on the community and emphasizing the financial challenges faced by local councils.
Glovers Walk, where the bus station is situated, has been up for sale for some time, with a pending offer, although the sale is yet to be finalized.
Somerset Council, while acknowledging the financial crisis and the necessity for difficult decisions, mentioned the non-devolution of the bus station toilets and their subsequent closure in the effort to manage the funding gap.
The impending closure is indeed a matter of concern, especially for the vulnerable individuals and the broader community, raising questions about accessibility and the allocation of council resources.