The decision by South Hams District to close the public toilets in Totnes beggars belief.

This step was irresponsible, totally unnecessary and represents a dereliction of its duty to the general public.

As soon as the problems became known to SHDC, it could have rectified the situation immediately by arranging attendant/cleaner visits to all the town’s toilets at least once an hour, while at the same time arranging for a CCTV – linked to monitors in the police station – to be installed in all of them.

SHDC was formed in 1974, and since 1987 with the exception of five years, 1995-99, it has been run by Conservative councillors who have operated a totally autocratic style of government in the South Hams.

The situation is very similar at Devon County Council, which is responsible for the majority of our public services.

The overall result is a complete absence of any form of master planning in our area, very little affordable housing, or indeed any investment of note in additional car parks, roads and infrastructure, all of which are essential to avert the crisis which has been created by massive increases in our area’s population,visitors and traffic.

There is no doubt that party politics is destroying both the economy and the wellbeing of Totnes and the rest of the South Hams.

The people who have got us into this avoidable mess must not be re-elected at the next election, but we need to replace them with people who believe in common sense and that the needs of the community come first.

Ross Newton

Ashprington