DIRTY and run down toilets are damaging Abergavenny's image, say members of the town's council

At their recent meeting members slammed the state of the public toilets and said they were a "disgrace" to the town.

The problem with terrible toilets in town is a long standing one and many members of the community have fought to solve it over the years.

In recent years the Chronicle has reported how the toilets, particularly those in White Horse Lane, have caused problems for neighbouring businesses, as well as residents and visitors.

In a worrying incident it was widely reported that a Monmouthshire County Council worker was injured by a used syringe while cleaning the toilets and reports of men exposing themselves have been investigated by local police.

Resident and community worker Albert McNabb from Dan y Deri has repeatedly reported to Monmouthshire County Council the problems caused by the closure of Bailey Park toilets.

Mr McNabb said visitors to the park with their children were being "put off" coming to the town because of the facilities.

Members of the town council agreed that urgent action is now needed and unanimously voiced their disgust at the state of the toilets.

In the most recent meeting of the council a special committee was established to tackle the problem once and for all.

Clerk Peter Johns said, "Letters to councillors directly all have the same complaints, that the toilets are dirty and run-down and are damaging the town's image as a tourist destination.

"The town council was made aware that the county council are receiving a report about the state of the toilets, but are led to understand that the report does not include recommendations for improvement."

Former mayor of Abergavenny, Councillor John Prosser said, "We cannot allow this state of affairs to continue.

"I complained about this when I was mayor, and very little has happened to improve the situation since.

"We need a committee of our own to look at options and to make specific recommendations to improve this situation."

There was strong support from fellow town councillors who agreed that urgent action is needed. The new committee will begin its deliberations as soon as possible.

Jenny Taylor, chairman of the Abergavenny and District Tourist Association said the toilets were in desperate need of a clean.

"As for the toilets, words fail me! We need more cleaning so please can Monmouthshire County Council pull their finger out and deal with that.

"But in the meantime would it hurt for the general public to be far more tidy and leave the toilets as they would like to find them? 

"For Abergavenny we are approaching one of the - if not the - biggest weekends of the year in the shape of the now universally famous Food Festival, and what have we to show to anyone looking beneath the gloss? A scruffy, dirty and indeed at times, smelly, town. Surely this is not what we what to portray? " said Mrs Taylor

"I urge everyone to please be vigilant, tidy and aware of the environment at all times but please think of this weekend as something special, giving a much needed financial boost to Abergavenny."