City Centre Public Loo Closures
Summary
- There are 14 posts — by 7 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Bridget Bayden at 2009 Jul 01 15:42 UTC
Today the Oxford Mail is carrying a story about plans to close City Centre facilities, some of which are pretty grim. I like the idea of the 'community toilet scheme'. Of course I'm sure the Council itself will take part in this - the facilities in the Town Hall are positively palatial and are handily placed for people using the bus stops on St Aldates. http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4462346.City_council_wants_to_shut_11_public_loos/
The Council should consider the needs of people with disabilities that affect their toilet functions, as they may need to use the toilet more frequently than the average person and would be very out of pocket if they had to pay 50p each time. Some disabled people also experience urgency and need to know that there is a toilet close at hand without having to trek to the other end of town and risking an accident on the way. In fact some parts of Oxford could become no-go areas for disabled people if there are no toilets nearby. Availability is more important than comfort or quality. If the Council is trying to save £50,000 a year by closing public toilets, then it doesn't make sense to spend £500,000 (ten years worth of saving) on upgrading the perfectly adequate facilities at Gloucester Green. Money could be better saved by not wasting it on "improvement" schemes, like Bonn Square.
Hi Gill! The Town hall loos are already open to the public..and well used ! bob > Today the Oxford Mail is carrying a story about plans to close City Centre > facilities, some of which are pretty grim. I like the idea of the > 'community toilet scheme'. Of course I'm sure the Council itself will take > part in this - the facilities in the Town Hall are positively palatial and > are handily placed for people using the bus stops on St Aldates. > > http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4462346.City_council_wants_to_shut_11_public_loos/
> > > Gill Garratt > > Info about Gill Garratt: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/gillgarratt > > View all messages on this topic at: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/4GWZvsvGAw0zvJ2bzAPGpO > ----------------------------------------- > To post, e-mail: <email obscured> > Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. > To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" > in subject, then send to: <email obscured> > > More information about Oxford - Central, South and West Neighbourhood > Forum: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/oxford-csw > > E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > ----------------------------------------- > Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net >
I've lived in Oxford for ten years and have never known the Magdalen St toilets to ever be open, likewise Castle St and Blue Boar St. The only consitently open facility is on Market St. IT makes more sense to close these and allow charging for a number of decently-maintained facilities which are actually open than to carry on the current poor status quo. I like Stephanie's U-bend analogy, although it's possible the scatalogical analogies could go too far!
Regards Noam Bleicher 078 1847 1655 056 0268 4870 > From: <email obscured> > Subject: [Oxford-CSW] City Centre Public Loo Closures > To: <email obscured> > Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:39:02 +1200 > > Today the Oxford Mail is carrying a story about plans to close City Centre facilities, some of which are pretty grim. I like the idea of the 'community toilet scheme'. Of course I'm sure the Council itself will take part in this - the facilities in the Town Hall are positively palatial and are handily placed for people using the bus stops on St Aldates. > > http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4462346.City_council_wants_to_shut_11_public_loos/ > > > Gill Garratt > > Info about Gill Garratt: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/gillgarratt > > View all messages on this topic at: http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/4GWZvsvGAw0zvJ2bzAPGpO > ----------------------------------------- > To post, e-mail: <email obscured> > Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. > To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" > in subject, then send to: <email obscured> > > More information about Oxford - Central, South and West Neighbourhood Forum: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/oxford-csw > > E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > ----------------------------------------- > Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net _________________________________________________________________ Get the best of MSN on your mobile http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/147991039/direct/01/
Noam's praise has made me flush with pride, but it was on the Headington & Marston Neighbourhood Forum, not here, that I said that the Bury Knowle Park toilets have been reprieved, but that the proposal was bound to come back, as it was probably an S-bend rather than a U-turn. I think it is an indication of how strongly people feel about public toilets that they have woken the CSW forum up again. The men's underground toilets in St Giles have been there since 1895, incidentally. The women's toilets beside Balliol came later in 1909, and there was a great fuss about them, because women weren't suppose to need or use such things. Mary Leslie, who worked for Oxford's Public Health Department and fought to get them, was told by her own sister that what she had done was "indecent". At least the present city council is not sexist: it seems to think that no one in Oxford, male or female, resident or tourist, needs such conveniences any more.
> The St Giles toilets had to be closed due to dangerous ceilings in 2006 - the cost of repairs would be very high ; the Blue Boar Street toilets were closed in 2005 and the Castle St toilets remain open but are frequently closed due to vandalism bob Price
> I've lived in Oxford for ten years and have never known the Magdalen St > toilets to ever be open, likewise Castle St and Blue Boar St. The only > consitently open facility is on Market St. > > > > IT makes more sense to close these and allow charging for a number of > decently-maintained facilities which are actually open than to carry on > the current poor status quo. > > > > I like Stephanie's U-bend analogy, although it's possible the scatalogical > analogies could go too far! > > > > > > > > > > > Regards > > Noam Bleicher > 078 1847 1655 > 056 0268 4870 > > > > > >> From: <email obscured> >> Subject: [Oxford-CSW] City Centre Public Loo Closures >> To: <email obscured> >> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:39:02 +1200 >> >> Today the Oxford Mail is carrying a story about plans to close City >> Centre facilities, some of which are pretty grim. I like the idea of the >> 'community toilet scheme'. Of course I'm sure the Council itself will >> take part in this - the facilities in the Town Hall are positively >> palatial and are handily placed for people using the bus stops on St >> Aldates. >> >> http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4462346.City_council_wants_to_shut_11_public_loos/ >> >> >> Gill Garratt >> >> Info about Gill Garratt: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/gillgarratt >> >> View all messages on this topic at: >> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/4GWZvsvGAw0zvJ2bzAPGpO >> ----------------------------------------- >> To post, e-mail: <email obscured> >> Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. >> To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" >> in subject, then send to: <email obscured> >> >> More information about Oxford - Central, South and West Neighbourhood >> Forum: >> http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/oxford-csw >> >> E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules >> ----------------------------------------- >> Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get the best of MSN on your mobile > http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/147991039/direct/01/ > Noam Bleicher > New Hinksey, Oxford > Info about Noam Bleicher: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/3r1u0OpAwUymfsnvetfRmk > > View all messages on this topic at: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/c1BUuFEpm2Dgn4HSUvZ8q > ----------------------------------------- > To post, e-mail: <email obscured> > Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. > To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" > in subject, then send to: <email obscured> > > More information about Oxford - Central, South and West Neighbourhood > Forum: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/oxford-csw > > E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > ----------------------------------------- > Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net >
Noam I agree - but we will see what the public consultation brings forth! Best wishes
bob Noam Bleicher wrote: > THanks Bob - all the more reason to challenge the status quo. > > Community toilets are less likely to get vandalised, and paid-for > toilets are more likley to partly fund their own upkeep. > > Regards > > *Noam Bleicher* > 078 1847 1655 > 056 0268 4870 > > > > > > > Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:26:52 +0100 > > Subject: Re: [Oxford-CSW] City Centre Public Loo Closures > > From: <email obscured> > > To: <email obscured> > > CC: <email obscured>; <email obscured> > > > > > The St Giles toilets had to be closed due to dangerous ceilings in > 2006 > > - the cost of repairs would be very high ; the Blue Boar Street toilets > > were closed in 2005 and the Castle St toilets remain open but are > > frequently closed due to vandalism > > > > bob Price > > > > > > > I've lived in Oxford for ten years and have never known the > Magdalen St > > > toilets to ever be open, likewise Castle St and Blue Boar St. The only > > > consitently open facility is on Market St. > > > > > > > > > > > > IT makes more sense to close these and allow charging for a number of > > > decently-maintained facilities which are actually open than to > carry on > > > the current poor status quo. > > > > > > > > > > > > I like Stephanie's U-bend analogy, although it's possible the > scatalogical > > > analogies could go too far! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Regards > > > > > > Noam Bleicher > > > 078 1847 1655 > > > 056 0268 4870 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> From: <email obscured> > > >> Subject: [Oxford-CSW] City Centre Public Loo Closures > > >> To: <email obscured> > > >> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:39:02 +1200 > > >> > > >> Today the Oxford Mail is carrying a story about plans to close City > > >> Centre facilities, some of which are pretty grim. I like the idea > of the > > >> 'community toilet scheme'. Of course I'm sure the Council itself will > > >> take part in this - the facilities in the Town Hall are positively > > >> palatial and are handily placed for people using the bus stops on St > > >> Aldates. > > >> > > >> > http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4462346.City_council_wants_to_shut_11_public_loos/ > > >> > > >> > > >> Gill Garratt > > >> > > >> Info about Gill Garratt: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/gillgarratt > > >> > > >> View all messages on this topic at: > > >> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/4GWZvsvGAw0zvJ2bzAPGpO > > >> ----------------------------------------- > > >> To post, e-mail: <email obscured> > > >> Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. > > >> To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" > > >> in subject, then send to: <email obscured> > > >> > > >> More information about Oxford - Central, South and West Neighbourhood > > >> Forum: > > >> http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/oxford-csw > > >> > > >> E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > > >> ----------------------------------------- > > >> Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > > Get the best of MSN on your mobile > > > http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/147991039/direct/01/ > > > Noam Bleicher > > > New Hinksey, Oxford > > > Info about Noam Bleicher: > > > http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/3r1u0OpAwUymfsnvetfRmk > > > > > > View all messages on this topic at: > > > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/c1BUuFEpm2Dgn4HSUvZ8q > > > ----------------------------------------- > > > To post, e-mail: <email obscured> > > > Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. > > > To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" > > > in subject, then send to: <email obscured> > > > > > > More information about Oxford - Central, South and West Neighbourhood > > > Forum: > > > http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/oxford-csw > > > > > > E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > > > ----------------------------------------- > > > Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net > > > > > > > > > > > bob price > > > > Info about bob price: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/bobprice > > > > View all messages on this topic at: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/2xjhnpj3wLuCZNkMNWQkTO > > ----------------------------------------- > > To post, e-mail: <email obscured> > > Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. > > To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" > > in subject, then send to: <email obscured> > > > > More information about Oxford - Central, South and West > Neighbourhood Forum: > > http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/oxford-csw > > > > E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > > ----------------------------------------- > > Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Beyond Hotmail - see what else you can do with Windows Live. Find out > more. <http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665375/direct/01/>
THanks Bob - all the more reason to challenge the status quo. Community toilets are less likely to get vandalised, and paid-for toilets are more likley to partly fund their own upkeep. Regards Noam Bleicher 078 1847 1655 056 0268 4870
> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:26:52 +0100 > Subject: Re: [Oxford-CSW] City Centre Public Loo Closures > From: <email obscured> > To: <email obscured> > CC: <email obscured>; <email obscured> > > > The St Giles toilets had to be closed due to dangerous ceilings in 2006 > - the cost of repairs would be very high ; the Blue Boar Street toilets > were closed in 2005 and the Castle St toilets remain open but are > frequently closed due to vandalism > > bob Price > > > > I've lived in Oxford for ten years and have never known the Magdalen St > > toilets to ever be open, likewise Castle St and Blue Boar St. The only > > consitently open facility is on Market St. > > > > > > > > IT makes more sense to close these and allow charging for a number of > > decently-maintained facilities which are actually open than to carry on > > the current poor status quo. > > > > > > > > I like Stephanie's U-bend analogy, although it's possible the scatalogical > > analogies could go too far! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Regards > > > > Noam Bleicher > > 078 1847 1655 > > 056 0268 4870 > > > > > > > > > > > >> From: <email obscured> > >> Subject: [Oxford-CSW] City Centre Public Loo Closures > >> To: <email obscured> > >> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:39:02 +1200 > >> > >> Today the Oxford Mail is carrying a story about plans to close City > >> Centre facilities, some of which are pretty grim. I like the idea of the > >> 'community toilet scheme'. Of course I'm sure the Council itself will > >> take part in this - the facilities in the Town Hall are positively > >> palatial and are handily placed for people using the bus stops on St > >> Aldates. > >> > >> http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4462346.City_council_wants_to_shut_11_public_loos/ > >> > >> > >> Gill Garratt > >> > >> Info about Gill Garratt: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/gillgarratt > >> > >> View all messages on this topic at: > >> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/4GWZvsvGAw0zvJ2bzAPGpO > >> ----------------------------------------- > >> To post, e-mail: <email obscured> > >> Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. > >> To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" > >> in subject, then send to: <email obscured> > >> > >> More information about Oxford - Central, South and West Neighbourhood > >> Forum: > >> http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/oxford-csw > >> > >> E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > >> ----------------------------------------- > >> Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Get the best of MSN on your mobile > > http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/147991039/direct/01/ > > Noam Bleicher > > New Hinksey, Oxford > > Info about Noam Bleicher: > > http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/3r1u0OpAwUymfsnvetfRmk > > > > View all messages on this topic at: > > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/c1BUuFEpm2Dgn4HSUvZ8q > > ----------------------------------------- > > To post, e-mail: <email obscured> > > Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. > > To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" > > in subject, then send to: <email obscured> > > > > More information about Oxford - Central, South and West Neighbourhood > > Forum: > > http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/oxford-csw > > > > E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > > ----------------------------------------- > > Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net > > > > > > bob price > > Info about bob price: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/bobprice > > View all messages on this topic at: http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/2xjhnpj3wLuCZNkMNWQkTO > ----------------------------------------- > To post, e-mail: <email obscured> > Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. > To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" > in subject, then send to: <email obscured> > > More information about Oxford - Central, South and West Neighbourhood Forum: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/oxford-csw > > E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > ----------------------------------------- > Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net _________________________________________________________________ With Windows Live, you can organise, edit, and share your photos. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665338/direct/01/
That may be okay for tourists who come here expecting to spend money. But what about residents who can't afford to pay for toilets every time they go out? Okay in the city centre if the town hall toilets are still going to be free. But what about outlying areas? I rely on the toilets at Summertown when using the public library, and on the toilets at Cowley Road. I hope these are not going to be closed, as I would find it very difficult to manage without them. And what about people with Radar keys? There's not much point in having these keys if all the toilets get closed.
> The Town hall, Summertown and Cowley Road toilets are all scheduled to be retained and improved. Charging is only a possibility for Gloucester Green if it is substantially improved. bob Price That may be okay for tourists who come here expecting to spend money. But
> what about residents who can't afford to pay for toilets every time they > go out? Okay in the city centre if the town hall toilets are still going > to be free. But what about outlying areas? > > I rely on the toilets at Summertown when using the public library, and on > the toilets at Cowley Road. I hope these are not going to be closed, as I > would find it very difficult to manage without them. > > And what about people with Radar keys? There's not much point in having > these keys if all the toilets get closed. > Bridget Bayden > > Info about BB: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/bridgetbayden > > View all messages on this topic at: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/2bXzSoVkbRXnYaWV9IGMjD > ----------------------------------------- > To post, e-mail: <email obscured> > Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. > To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" > in subject, then send to: <email obscured> > > More information about Oxford - Central, South and West Neighbourhood > Forum: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/oxford-csw > > E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > ----------------------------------------- > Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net >
That is good to know. But I don't see why Summertown and Cowley Road need "improving", especially if you are trying to save money. I particularly like the Cowley Road toilets for the following reasons: * There is plenty of space in the cubicles (unlike Gloucester Green or Speedwell Street); * The actual toilets are more comfortable to sit on, because you can lean back further than on the modern types; * There is good air-flow, due to the open doorway, and natural light; * There are no migraine-inducing factors, such as fluorescent lighting, artificial heating, or buzzing/humming sounds from apparatus. I would suspect that your improvements might include the latter, which in my view would not be an improvement.
If you are referring to the ones adjacent Manzil Gardens they are to be redeveloped as part of a scheme for the adjacent buildings. Here is the planning reference no, the description of development and a link to the council web site where details can be viewed (Graham S to note) 09/00731/FUL Demolition of Police Office, public toilets and 205 Cowley Road. Erection of a single and three storey building to provide 32 student study rooms, a retail unit (class A1), office accommodation (class B1), seasonal cafe and replacement police office, public toilets and sweeper store. Provision of enclosed cycle and refuse store with access from East Avenue. http://uniformpublicaccess.oxford.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KI4YC7MF0KK00 andrew > From: <email obscured> > Subject: [Oxford-CSW] City Centre Public Loo Closures > To: <email obscured> > Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 05:42:02 +1200 > > That is good to know. But I don't see why Summertown and Cowley Road need "improving", especially if you are trying to save money.
> > I particularly like the Cowley Road toilets for the following reasons: > > * There is plenty of space in the cubicles > (unlike Gloucester Green or Speedwell Street); > > * The actual toilets are more comfortable to sit on, > because you can lean back further than on the modern types; > > * There is good air-flow, due to the open doorway, and natural light; > > * There are no migraine-inducing factors, such as fluorescent lighting, > artificial heating, or buzzing/humming sounds from apparatus. > > I would suspect that your improvements might include the latter, > which in my view would not be an improvement. > > > Bridget Bayden > > Info about BB: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/bridgetbayden > > View all messages on this topic at: http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/2TbvppzlwDTYeBBa0mFHWN > ----------------------------------------- > To post, e-mail: <email obscured> > Use "Reply-to-All" via e-mail to post publicly. > To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on" > in subject, then send to: <email obscured> > > More information about Oxford - Central, South and West Neighbourhood Forum: > http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/oxford-csw > > E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules > ----------------------------------------- > Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net _________________________________________________________________ Share your photos with Windows Live Photos Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665338/direct/01/
From:
David "inconsistent moderation on these fora is an ongoing problem, and others are tampering with my profile via E-Democ" Hearn
Date:
2009 Jul 01 10:10 UTC
I'm OK with reducing taxpayer funded facilities ONLY IF TAXES ARE CUT IN CONSEQUENCE. Arguably we need less lavatories for public use than in the 19th century because more establishments have water closets generally. However, NO CHARGES at any Public Convenience will be warranted. Taxpayers already pay twice the Council Tax that we did 12 years ago, for fewer and worse services and, in Oxford, the City Council currently serves us jolly poorly in many people's view. If any loos were to be cut or closed at all, then to balance this and ensure public convenience (a) bylaw/s needs to be implemented to say that every and any license to sell booze (yes, even in Parliament, at the freely smoking, subsidized MPs' bar) carries with it the obligation to let the public in without charge or consumption to use toilets as needed. Councils need 1/2 as many or less managers than at present, especially Oxford City Council. That is where we must prune and cut. If Labour do not, I hope that others will.
Cowley Road is really going downhill. The area has been totally spoiled by that monstrous new NHS building (the architecture really gives me the blues) So I hope the proposed development next door is not going to be too much of an eyesore. I wish the councillors who decide on planning applications would give more attention to aesthetics, before Oxford ends up looking like Reading.
Loading…
Design Party? Join our Projects volunteer online group to help design a new image for your local forum's home page.
Home - Mobile - Forums - Wiki - Blog - About - Help - Contact - People - Donate - Rules - Archives
Need help? Get support.
Creative Commons - Share our content with attribution
Hosted by E-Democracy.org. Sponsored by OnlineGroups.Net - easier email collaboration for your organization. Powered by GroupServer - open source web-based mailing list manager.