Hastings key worker asks for publicly accessible toilets to be reopened

Mandy Bevan, who lives in the Clive Vale area of Hastings, says she is avoiding public transport due to the coronavirus crisis and, as a result, she is walking to her work at a care home.

The commute is taking her an hour and 15 minutes, during which time Mandy says she often needs to go to the toilet.

Living with chronic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Mandy said public toilets are essential for her when she is out of the house.

She wrote to Hastings Borough Council to ask if they could reopen the town's toilets that can be accessed using a radar key - a device that can unlock disabled toilets for use.

These have been closed permanently, alongside public toilets, by Hastings Borough Council due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mandy said: "I contacted Hastings Borough Council asking about their decision to close all of the public toilets including the ones that need a radar key to be used.

"I understand why they have closed the normal ones but I’m a key worker who is trying to avoid using public transport due to the virus. It takes me 1hr 15mins to walk to the care home I work in and I also have chronic IBS.

"I have a radar key as if I need the toilet then I have to go ASAP.

"I did ask the council what am I meant to do as I’m sure going to the toilet on the beach would be very much frowned upon but I got the standard reply of they will be reviewing it weekly and reopen as soon as possible. Due to this I now worry every time I set off for work in case I need to go."

Hastings Borough Council said they would not be opening public toilets at the moment.

A spokesman added: "We are sorry to hear that closure of the public conveniences is causing this key worker problems.

"Unfortunately, we cannot open the public toilets right now because we can’t ensure their cleanliness. We hope to open them as soon as it is safe to do so.