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Public toilets in Holland-on-Sea will be closed for about a month
after thieves ripped copper piping off the wall.
The value of the piping is no more than a few pounds but the
damage at the site at Holland Haven will cost around £3,000 to
repair.
So far this year Tendring District Council (TDC) has spent
£23,300 on repairs of public conveniences due to vandalism.
The theft at Holland Haven was discovered by TDC's cleaning
contractors when they went to open up at 8am yesterday morning
(December 21).
The piping was pulled away from the wall which caused water to
leak from the tanks. That in turn brought the ceiling down and the
electrics of the building have also been damaged.
The site is one which TDC keeps open all year round but it will
have to be closed for about four weeks while the work is carried
out.
Nick Turner, TDC's Cabinet Member for Environment, said that
once again the community will be deprived of a facility.
"Holland Haven is visited by many people and is likely to be
well used over the Christmas period by dog walkers and others out
for a stroll," he said.
"Unfortunately the toilets will not be available to them and it
is the general community that suffers due to the actions of a
few."
Earlier this month TDC had to clean up after two arson attacks
on public conveniences at Cliff Park, Dovercourt.
"It is very dispiriting that much of the money we set aside for
maintenance and improvements to our public toilets is taken up with
repairs due to vandalism and theft," added Cllr Turner.
"The Police have been informed and are investigating the latest
incident and I would ask anyone who has any information to get in
touch with them or the Council on 01255 686772."
The theft took place between around 4pm on Tuesday and 8am
yesterday.
Peter Halliday, TDC's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for
Finance, added: "Thefts, vandalism and arson of our public
conveniences is not a position we are willing or able to
sustain.
"We will have to seriously consider how we can continue to
provide the 40 plus public toilets that we are responsible for
across the District."
22/12/11
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