Published: Tuesday, 20th August 2024
Contracts have been signed on a Borough Council project to improve the toilet facilities in Downham Market town centre.
The new toilets will include an accessible toilet and two self-contained unisex toilets with one having a baby-changing facility added. When designing the toilets, the aims were to maximise use of the space while minimising maintenance work, power usage and water consumption.
Other design aspects were to retain the architectural value of the original block by keeping features, including the curved carrstone end walls, and the roof. Consultation with the Town Council has helped provide a new updated town map and information board giving visitors better information of the Town.
Cllr Bal Anota, the Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Property and Corporate Services, said:
“Having good quality toilet provision is an important part of making town centres attractive and vibrant places that people choose to visit.
“Downham Market is one of Norfolk’s gems and deserves to have high-quality amenities. I now look forward to seeing the completed works.”
A spokesperson for Downham Market Town Council added:
“The Town Council is very pleased to acknowledge the commitment of the Borough Council in meeting the needs of residents and visitors to Downham Market, by providing much improved public toilets in the centre of this historic town.
“Residents and visitors will now have the confidence that they can visit the town and not spend valuable time searching for working amenities.”
The current toilets, which are around 20 years old, have experienced a number of problems in recent years. The complex self-cleaning system was functional at the time of construction but over the years has become difficult to repair as replacement parts are now hard to find. As a result they are frequently out of order.
Work is expected to begin within weeks and should be completed in October.