Public toilets in Harbour Road, Watchet, are closing before dark through the winter months. Pictures: Google/WTC

Public toilets being closed “before dark” after spate of vandlalism

Paul JonesDecember 12, 20250 Comment0

MORE public toilets in Somerset are being closed after “vandalism incidents” which are costing taxpayers hundreds of pounds.

Watchet Town Council said it is shutting the Harbour Road facilities before dark each night in the winter months after “further careless vandalism” – and had reported incidents to police.

It comes after Wellington Town Council announced it was closing public toilets in Wellington Park for the winter due to “ongoing vandalism”.

Announcing the decision in Watchet, the council said: “After much consideration and due to further careless vandalism incidents, we have made the difficult decision to close Watchet’s Harbour Road public toilets before dark each night during the winter months.

“This was not a decision made lightly, but the public toilets vandalism costs to Watchet Town Council, paid through Watchet residents’ council tax, currently stand at £781.61 from April 2025.

“This does not include the staffing costs to clear the destruction left behind and repair time, which is currently on a daily basis.

“We recognise that it is unsustainable and unacceptable for Watchet residents to be paying for these repairs.

“The incidents have been reported and are under investigation by the police for criminal damage as we have no choice other than to pursue this course of action.”