I WAS interested to see the report in last week s edition of The Crow on the campaign to retain the toilets at Royston bus station. It quotes Terry Hutt and Councillor Jack White, who both pay their council tax to South Cambridgeshire District Council: an

I WAS interested to see the report in last week's edition of The Crow on the campaign to retain the toilets at Royston bus station.

It quotes Terry Hutt and Councillor Jack White, who both pay their council tax to South Cambridgeshire District Council: an authority which has no public toilets whatsoever, not even in the new settlement of Cambourne.

It also quotes Bill Davidson, my predecessor as portfolio holder at North Herts District Council, who was originally responsible for promoting these proposals to the district council, but who has now completed a deft U-turn.

The district council has comprehensively answered Mr Hutt's points in Cabinet.

Contrary to some reports, the district council is not ignoring the petition - all the petition stated was: "The people of Royston need toilets." And they are getting them.

There are few places which have three public toilets within a quarter-of-a-mile of each other as Royston does.

We currently have three unpleasant facilities which we only use if we have to and these will be replaced by two relatively pleasant ones which will be a valuable asset to the town.

The costs may seem high, but it takes into account the high specification now needed with anti-graffiti measures, disabled access and the public's reasonable expectation of a quality facility.

Of course, we will go through a rigorous tendering process to ensure that we get a fair price.

However, I would be delighted if Cllr White could demonstrate that we can get the same result for £20,000. I shall be in touch with him.

Cllr White is also misinformed in asserting that "North Herts District Council sees Royston as a little place that it cannot be bothered with".

I shall also be enlightening him on the subject of our Corporate Plan which clearly outlines our policy of treating all our communities equally.

Since Letchworth will only retain one council-run toilet and Hitchin two, and both towns are twice the size of Royston, it can hardly be argued that Royston is being treated unfairly.

Cllr LYNDA NEEDHAM

Portfolio holder

Environment and waste management

North Herts District Council