Toilets bring a flush of pride (From Free Press Series)

Toilets bring a flush of pride

BLAENAVON'S long-awaited public toilets are set to open soon, at a cost of £100,000. The town has had to wait more than four years for permanent public conveniences after the former building was vandalised.

And the recent investment is going to bring more than a 'bog standard' facility, offering instead a modern, state-of-the-art block with full access for disabled people. Town council clerk Robert Deakin said the new Lion Street block is due to open within the next two weeks.

He said: "It has been a source of embarrassment really, being a World Heritage town we couldn't offer visitors, or residents public conveniences.

"In fact, there are no toilets all the way down the valley until Pontypool, after the Abersychan block was also targeted by vandals."

While the toilet block was out of commission Torfaen council helped out by installing temporary facilities.

However, the problem was not fully resolved as the temporary toilets were not easily accessible for wheelchair users.

Funding for the new block has come through the town council's money earmarked for regeneration.

Blaenavon's deputy mayor Brian Whitcombe said: "It will mean a tremendous amount to the town because we have been fighting to get some decent public toilets for a long time now." Although the exact date for the opening has not been released yet, community councillor Whitcombe said: "It couldn't have come at a better time, ready for the summer, as we are hoping to get a lot of tourists for the book town and our heritage sites."