THE CHAIRMAN of an influential pensioners group has reacted angrily to news that the Council are considering selling off some of the borough’s remaining public toilets.

Councillors are set to review the borough’s public convenience service at a cabinet meeting scheduled for June 12.

Four toilets have been closed since last year, and the future of 12 more is under consideration.

A report due to be discussed at the meeting, lists many of the conveniences as having ‘development potential’ to be converted into flats, commercial premises and even cafes.

But Chairman of the Redbridge Pensioners Forum, John Coombes, 72, said he and his fellow members would fight any closures all the way.

He added: “It is diabolical that this is even up for discussion.

“It is hard enough to find a public toilet as it is without closing the few we have left.

“Many elderly people have to take the location of toilets into account when they plan their route on a day out.

“We should be opening more, and ensuring they are properly maintained, not closing them.”

Among the toilets which could be sold off is one on Hillside Avenue in Woodford Green which the report says could be developed into a complex of one bedroom flats.

It is also suggested that the toilets on Christ Church Green in Wanstead could be converted into a summertime cafe with a replacement automatic toilet located on the High Street.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation, Sue Nolan, said: “We need to do some more work to see how well the toilets are used and whether we can put some of the land to better use.

“There are some areas where there are alternative conveniences very nearby, and that is something we will be examining.

“But there are no imminent plans to sell any toilets at the moment.”

Patrick Condon, 84, of Coventry Road, Ilford, said the Council should consider allowing charities to run toilets rather than sell them off.

He said: “When I was in the services the first thing we used to do before going on parade was empty our tanks.

“As you get older, your tank does not have quite as much capacity, so public toilets are vital.

“But don’t forget they are also essential to people with young children.

“Anything that can be done to preserve them should be considered, even if that means passing them on to charities to run.”

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