A visitor to Tyne Green in Hexham has described the park’s public toilets as a “disgrace” after reporting what she said were unhygienic conditions during a mid-afternoon visit on August 3.
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said the smell was immediately noticeable and that the condition of the ladies’ facilities meant she left without using them. She said two cubicles appeared to be out of order, another was filled with toilet paper and a fourth had what she described as traces of excrement on the floor. She also reported that the toilet seat in that cubicle was soaked with urine.
She said the toilets were attracting many flies and questioned whether the facilities provided a suitable welcome for people visiting the riverside park.
“Needless to say, I walked out. It was also attracting many flies. Not a very good advert for visiting Tyne Green if you require the toilet,” she said.
Visitor calls for more frequent cleaning
The visitor said the toilets should be cleaned more frequently during the busy summer holiday period. She argued that the number of people using the facilities at that time of year justified cleaning them at least twice daily, and potentially three times a day during particularly busy holidays.
“It is the height of the summer holidays and no doubt many people use these facilities. It is therefore necessary to clean these toilets at least twice a day, if not three times, during busy holidays,” she said.
Tyne Green is a popular riverside country park in Northumberland. The site includes picnic areas, cafes and children’s play areas, making its public conveniences an important facility for visitors spending time there.
County council responds
Tyne Green is operated by Northumberland County Council. Councillor John Riddle, the council’s cabinet member for environment for rural and farming, said the authority was committed to maintaining facilities for both residents and visitors.
He said council-operated public conveniences are cleaned a minimum of once daily, seven days a week. The authority is also investing in improvements at all 54 public conveniences it operates across Northumberland.
“The Council is committed to providing high-quality facilities for residents and visitors.
“Our public conveniences are cleaned a minimum of once daily, seven days a week, and we are currently investing in a programme of improvements at all 54 council-operated public conveniences across the county.
“We have high standards for the cleanliness of these facilities and can only apologise to visitors where their experience isn’t met with the standards we aim to provide.”
Councillor Riddle encouraged members of the public to report problems with council facilities so that the authority can respond and take appropriate action as quickly as possible.
The reported condition of the Tyne Green toilets comes during the summer holiday period, when the park’s picnic spots, cafes and play areas attract visitors. The council’s response sets out its daily cleaning schedule and wider improvement programme, while the visitor’s account has prompted a call for more frequent cleaning when demand is highest.
