LUDLOW Town Council is being urged to hold its nose and investigate smells from the public toilets in Castle Street and consider charging people to use them.

Vivienne Parry, a member of Ludlow Town Council and also a representative for Ludlow on Shropshire Council says people are kicking up a stink about the facilities.

She says that people from the town, market traders and visitors are being inconvenienced by the conveniences.

“The main problem is the smell,” she said.

“Busy toilets like these require cleaning at least four times a day at the height of the tourist season and the waste bins regularly emptied. At the moment they do not receive anything like this degree of attention and the smell at times has been appalling.

“Market traders and local shoppers have been particularly vociferous in their complaints but we also need to bear in mind the impact it has on our visitors. A lot of people work hard to sell Ludlow’s image across the country but issues like this do not help.

“The problem requires a little extra expenditure to boost the cleaners' hours, at least over the summer months. The Town Council either needs to find the extra from its budget or install the pay turnstiles it bought some years ago. Even if we only charged for the summer months it should cover the extra cleaning costs.

“I asked the town council's services committee at their meeting if they would consider these options. I urge them to come to a quick decision.

“Most towns now maintain their toilets to a high standard. Ludlow has a great public image but we need to act quickly on this issue for the benefit of everyone who uses our beautiful town centre.”

Ludlow Town Council took over responsibility for the public toilets as part of an agreement with Shropshire Council several years ago.

As part of the deal, Shropshire Council agreed to pay for the installation of turnstiles that would have involved people having to pay for using the conveniences. However, the on-going maintenance of the toilets is now the responsibility of the town council.

There was a protracted debate on what should be charged and the scheme was also delayed with problems in securing the equipment from suppliers in the United States.

The town council then reviewed the situation and decided to drop the idea of introducing a charge.

This was because of concerns about the impact that it might have on trade in the town and a fear that it could put off visitors. There was also concerns that businesses in the town would have problems with people who were not customers trying to use their facilities.

Another issue which worried councillors was that the machines that collected the money would be the subject of vandalism and the attention of thieves.

The economics of charging were also questioned because of the cost of emptying the machines every day and the need for security involved with the turnstiles.

“Ludlow Town Council saved Castle Street toilets from closure in 2011 and have maintained and cleaned them ever since. Services Committee consider the condition of Castle Street toilets at their meeting on September 7,” said Ludlow town clerk Gina Wilding.

“Members received an update confirming that the immediate issues regarding fouls smells have been tackled and were being monitored to ensure the root cause had been established and eliminated. The current cleaning regime of twice daily seven days a week and further call outs to tackle vandalism or unusual circumstances, on an as-and-when basis, has been in place since 2011.

“Members are concerned that the level of reports of unpleasant conditions have risen recently. Members have asked for reports on the possible solutions to be brought back to committee.

"Ludlow Town Council are mindful of the importance of public toilet facilities and that any changes implemented need to be sustainable.”