A local campaign to reverse public convenience closures in Bedford ended in success this week as Bedford Borough Council announced the re-opening of its Lurke Street facility.
Nearly 2000 people signed a petition requesting the reinstatement of public conveniences following the closure of facilities at Silver Street, River Square and Lurke Street in 2012. The campaign centred on concerns that the closures were harming trade in Bedford town centre by driving visitors away to other shopping destinations.
The campaign was backed by the Council’s Conservative Group who brought the issue to the authority’s Environment Committee last year although Liberal Democrat and Labour Councillors voted to maintain the closures.
Cllr Roger Rigby, who led the Conservatives’ campaign within the Council, has welcomed the u-turn. He said:
‘Local businesses and residents will be delighted that the Liberal Democrats and Labour have reversed their damaging closure of the public convenience at Lurke Street.
‘The Conservative Group supported around 2,000 petitioners and campaigned hard in calling for the reinstatement of the facility to end the harm this policy has caused. It is very pleasing that the campaign has forced the Council to act.’