Council criticised for needing debit card to spend a penny in Bridgnorth
A town council has defended its decision to make a public toilet only accessible by contactless debit card payment after the move attracted criticism from a tourist.
Godfrey Burley, from East Yorkshire, was visiting Bridgnorth on Sunday when he stopped to use the public toilets in Listley Street.
He saw that there was a 20p fee to use the toilet, and went to put his money into the turnstile, but found there was no slot.
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“I was puzzled and asked a user of the toilets who was exiting the building how I should gain entrance,” said Mr Burley, who lives in the village of North Ferriby, near Hull.
“I was advised that the only way to effect entry was using a contactless payment card, and that there was a notice outside the building advising users this was the case.
“Luckily, I do have a contactless debit card and was able to use the facilities.”
Bridgnorth Town Council, which operates the toilet, said it switched to a cashless system following regular thefts and vandalism.
But Mr Burley, who had been visiting Bridgnorth’s cliff railway, said he was astonished he could not use coins to access the toilet.
Mr Burley, who is 75, said that while he regularly used his contactless payment card, other elderly people might not be able to do so.
“I find it absolutely incredible that Bridgnorth Town Council expects members of the public, often tourists bringing money into the town, to use a contactless payment card to make the miniscule amount of 20p,” he said.
“I am technologically aware, and I use my payment card frequently, but have never before had to use it for such a small amount.
“The situation is made much more ridiculous by the fact that payment for parking in the adjacent car park can be made just a few steps away by using machines which enable payment to be made in cash.”
Bridgnorth town clerk Lee Jakeman said the cost of maintaining public toilets was expensive, and the town council had stepped in after Shropshire Council stopped operating them.
“Toilets in Bridgnorth that take cash for payment have often been targeted for vandalism and theft, which can cause the toilets to be closed while repairs take place and incur additional repair costs,” said Mr Jakeman.
“While I regret the frustrations and acknowledge that there might be others similarly affected, the current situation works for many without excessive cost to the town council.”
