By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
The doors, locks and wash basins at Gloucester bus station’s public toilets have been smashed in a “serious act of vandalism”.
The public conveniences at Gloucester bus station have been out of order since the damage was discovered by cleaners last week who took the initial decision to close them.
Gloucester City Council is working to resolve the damage as a matter of urgency and reopen the toilets as soon as possible.
Carpentry repair work is in hand however, however the locks may take longer to be fixed or replaced as they are understood to be very costly .
Councillor Sajid Patel (C, Barton and Tredworth) is concerned about the ongoing closure of the toilets at the bus station.
“A multi million pound transport hub, multi million pound Forum, new Indigo Hotel and car park nearby,” he said.
“Yet it’s embarrassing that the city council can’t even fix the ongoing toilets issue! What a joke.
“What sort of message does that first impression give to visitors arriving to Gloucester. It’s one shambles after another!”
A City Council spokesperson confirmed the toilets have been closed temporarily while urgent repairs take place.
“A serious act of vandalism has taken place inside the toilet building at the Gloucester Transport Hub, causing significant damage,” they said.
“Doors, locks and wash basins have been deliberately broken, leaving the facilities unusable.
“As a result, the toilets – including facilities for people with disabilities – have had to be closed temporarily while urgent repair work is carried out. We fully recognise the inconvenience this will cause and offer our sincere apologies to the public.
“We are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness and are working to resolve the damage as quickly as possible. A further update will be provided as soon as we are able.”
Deputy leader Declan Wilson (LD, Hucclecot) said the vandalism was thoroughly unacceptable and immensely disappointing.
“This is a thoroughly unacceptable and deeply frustrating act of anti-social behaviour which has forced the closure of vital public facilities used by residents and visitors alike,” he said.
“It is immensely disappointing that the reckless actions of a small minority can have an impact on the city such as this, particularly at a time when we are investing heavily in making Gloucester city centre a safer, more welcoming and more attractive place for everyone.”