SPENDING a penny could cost the taxpayer £39 million over the next 30 years unless changes are made soon.

The future of public toilets in South Lakeland is a burning issue and residents are being urged to give their views to the district council on what should be done.

A consultation, which runs until April 4, will see public exhibitions taking place in Grange, Ambleside, Ulverston and Bowness, while an online questionnaire is also available.

The move is driven by South Lakeland District Council’s ‘need to save a significant amount’ from the current £790,000 running costs for its 39 public toilets, some of which are ‘not fit for purpose in the 21st Century’, with no hot water or baby changing facilities.

It is predicted that any upgrade would cost about £39 million over the next 30 years, and with no Government funding available, the taxpayer would fit the bill meaning savings have to be made.

Coun Brenda Woof, SLDC Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said: “We do recognise that in some of the more rural areas there is far less use than in more urban areas.

“We have to provide this amenity for locals who use our shops and so on, but it is important to remember this is a tourist area and so public toilets are even more essential than normal. There is a greater demand for them in the honeypot towns, and at certain times of the year.”

Options available include charging for use of some toilets and handing over responsibility to parish and town councils or private companies.

Emma Nichols, SLDC community engagement officer, said the public response so far had been very impressive.

“We have had 150 people fill in a questionairre so far, which is a good total. Some people have suggested a social enterprise, where money raised from toilet usage would be reinvested into the community. We just want everybnody to give us any ideas they may have. Nothing is set in stone at the moment.”

The exhibitions can be viewed until April 4 in Ulverston Town Hall, Windermere, Ambleside and Kirkby Lonsdale libraries, Kendal’s South Lakeland House, and until the end of February in Grange Library.

Drop-in events, where people can quiz the consultation team, take place at St Paul’s Parish Hall, Grange on Monday March 1 from 3pm to 6.30pm, Ambleside Parish Centre on March 2 from 3pm to 6.30pm, Ulverston’s Coronation Hall on March 3 from 3pm to 7.30pm and Rayrigg Rooms, Bowness on March 5 from 3pm to 7.30pm.

For more information contact 0845 2300139, email talktoilets@southlakeland.gov.uk or visit www.southlakeland.gov.uk/talktoilets