Cllr Roger Rigby has hit out at Bedford Borough Council for the lack of public conveniences open in the evening for Bedford Bus Station and Allhallows car park users.

At last week’s meeting of the Council’s Environment Committee Cllr Rigby questioned why the Council closes its Allhallows convenience at 5.45pm despite the adjoining car park opening until 8pm and with buses arriving at the Bus Station until later into the evening.

The Council claims that conveniences are available until 6.30pm with two nearby businesses providing toilet facilities as part of the Council’s Community Toilet Scheme.  Cllr Rigby feels, however, that signposting of these facilities is inadequate and has called for the Council’s Allhallows toilets, which were budgeted to cost £170k, to be open at least in line with car parking hours to 8pm.

Cllr Rigby said:

‘The Council has spent £170k on the refurbished facility at Allhallows which closes as early as 5.45pm.  The nearby private alternatives are not signposted, do not have baby changing facilities and only open a few minutes longer than the Council facility.

‘Bus Station and car park users’ need to spend a penny is not governed by Council working hours.  There is a strong case for the facility to remain open until 8pm.  I hope that common sense overcomes budget cuts.’