A giant poo will join Cambridge City Council staff fighting to protect public toilets today, says UNISON.
Staff are holding a protest at 12.30pm outside the Gonville Place WCs on the southern corner of Parker’s Piece, one of three public conveniences set to be dumped by the council, says the union.
They will be joined by one of the “Cambridge turds.”
Councillors are debating shutting the Gonville, Quayside and Victoria Avenue (Midsummer Common) toilets and cutting the street cleaning team at a full council meeting on Monday 24 February.
The council’s own consultation showed that three-fifths of residents (61%) were against the closures.
The union warns that the cuts will make the city dirtier as many people would choose to relieve themselves in the open.
Street cleaners already regularly have to clean up human faeces and urine around the market square, nearby alleyways and elsewhere in the city, says UNISON.
Council staff are raising their concerns at the full council meeting on Monday.
The union will also warn councillors about the problems disabled residents will face if toilets are closed, pointing out that many shops and cafes pressure visitors to make purchases before using toilets, putting disabled people off visiting the city centre.
UNISON Cambridge City branch secretary Liz Brennan said: “Shutting down public toilets at the same time you’re slashing street cleaning is just plain potty.
“It’s bound to make the city dirtier as people just use our streets and alleyways to relieve themselves.
“These closure will also make women, older people and disabled residents and visitors think twice about venturing into the city centre. Many will feel like they have to spend money in cafes or shops to use their toilets and simply decide they can’t afford to go out.
“Cambridge councillors should spend a penny to keep our toilets open and our streets clean.”
