I was shocked and dismayed to discover South Hams District Council had closed all the public toilets in Totnes for an indefinite period.

I arrived at the Civic Hall, having walked around town for an hour and urgently needed to use the toilet.

When I found them shut, I wet myself and suffered a bowel accident; there were two other people who arrived to use the facilities, they were also in some physical distress.

There is no way a town can do without the few public toilets available and I would like clarification from the council as to what it is expecting residents and visitors to do; we are surely trying to attract custom and commerce into the town, without having to worry about where to find the next toilet opportunity.

This action was not publicised and is petty and callous. It is also discriminatory to several groups of people:

l Older people who may have weaker bladder and bowel musculature or prostate issues.

l Young families with small children, who need to use the toilet quickly when the urge arises.

l Parents with babies, who need a space to change a nappy.

l Women requiring a safe, anonymous place to deal with menstrual management

l Anyone, young or old, who finds themselves in urgent need of the toilet

We will see a rise in filth in areas of the town; urine and faeces in alleyways, on areas of grass and in bushes, which people have been forced to use rather than soil themselves.

I am also angry that the emphasis has been put on drug taking – and by extension the homeless community – as the cause of the closure.

In my view, the council is using this group as a scapegoat to cover the real issue; not one of safety, but of cost-cutting and a further drastic reduction in our public services.

Furthermore, I’ve heard from several sources in Totnes that the Coronation Road toilets are earmarked for retail development when the closure process is complete.

Having been fortunate enough to live through an era of splendid public provision and services, it breaks my heart to have to witness the gradual dismantling of all the things that were put in place to improve our lot and make our daily existence pleasant and civilised.

Surely we need to resist ‘private gain, public squalor’ at all costs.

Jackie Clayton

Woodcourt Road Harbertonford