Caerphilly town centre’s public toilets have had their official reopening – thanks to the campaigning efforts of taxi drivers.
Caerphilly Taxi Drivers’ Association negotiated a new lease from the county council to take over the running of the block and also secured £5,000 of funding from Caerphilly Town Council to reopen it.
The money paid for two new door coin entry systems.
The town council voted unanimously to fund the project in a meeting on Monday, June 17.
Speaking after the decision was made last month, George Edwards, who is the association’s vice-chair and treasurer, said: “First I would like to say a big thank you for the continued support shown to us from Caerphilly Observer, while we have been working with Caerphilly County Borough Council and the Caerphilly Town Council to reopen the toilets.
“It has been a long process of tireless work behind the scenes and finally on June 17, it was agreed unanimously by the Town Council to support the project and to raise the capital of £5,000.
“We the Association are very grateful for all parties who have contributed to the success of reopening the toilets.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank personally Cllr Nigel George, Cllr Shayne Cook, Cllr Jamie Pritchard, Cllr Colin Elsbury, Cllr Phil Bevan and Cllr James Fussell, as well as Brodie Thomson-Payne and Tim Broadhurst from the council’s Property Services team, Rob Hartshorn from the council’s Public Protection team, Richard Crane from the council’s legal team, town council clerk Phil Davy, Ian Young and Piers Dibben from Healthmatic UK and all other Town Councillors and members of Caerphilly County Borough Council involved.”
As of Monday, July 1, the toilets have been reopened to the public. An entry charge of 20p applies, with money going towards the cleaning and maintenance of the toilets. Disabled users will be able to use the toilets free of charge.
The opening hours are Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm, although the taxi drivers’ association expect to also open them on Sundays.
Other toilets to have been closed as part of county council cutbacks included those at Blackwood bus station, Bargoed bus station, Bedwlwyn Street in Ystrad Mynach, and Tredegar Street in Risca