JOHN ROADKNIGHT, of Buckwell Road, Kingsbridge, writes:

I would like to concur fully with Bigbury council chairman Dr Stuart Watts' comments concerning the proposed winter closure of many of our public toilets along our section of the internationally acclaimed South West coastal path.

Our son lives in Sutherland in the north west Highlands that is reportedly, after the land clearances, the sparsest populated area not only within the UK but in the whole of Europe.

When we visited him over Christmas and the New Year we found all the public toilets open, clean and well stocked including two along a very remote trail we walked. If they can see the value of tourism to their economy and the environmental and health issues of closing them, why can't our council?

The revenue their council collects from householders must be substantially less than ours.

Around the time this paper first reported this issue last year, your 'Rear View Mirror' column carried a small article stating that our council had employed outside consultants, at I believe a cost of £10,000, to look into the decline of retail shopping in Ivybridge.

Your enlightened correspondent indicated in one word that perhaps it could be the result of a large nearby supermarket.

I must confess at the time that I thought it might be a very, early April fool and if not, wondered whether there had been any communication with the local chamber of commerce who I am sure could give free advice. If there is any foundation to this report perhaps we have found a tranche of money that could be better utilised in keeping our toilets open.

If our council cannot find the funds for this most basic of amenities can I suggest that they add an addendum to every 'welcome to the South Hams' sign 'closed to visitors October to March'.