PUBLIC toilets at the Royston bus station are to close in spite of a 555-signature protest petition being handed over to councillors. But £155,000 is to be spent on toilets at Market Hill, Royston, and £15,000 on improving facilities at The Cross. Cllr F

PUBLIC toilets at the Royston bus station are to close in spite of a 555-signature protest petition being handed over to councillors.

But £155,000 is to be spent on toilets at Market Hill, Royston, and £15,000 on improving facilities at The Cross.

Cllr F John Smith told members of the Royston area committee: "The toilets at the bus station are no longer viable to keep open. Indeed, it's surprising they have been open for so long."

But Cllr Tony Hunter said he would like to see whether a low-cost toilet could be introduced at the bus station at The Warren.

And Cllr Doug Drake said the closing of the public toilets was "stupid" and a "backward view". He said the decision was "almost a joke".

Cllr Robert Inwood said the closure of the toilets did not make sense.

A petition calling on the toilets to be saved had been handed in to the committee from veteran campaigner Terry Hutt.

Mr Hutt said as a community driver he understood the need for toilets at the bus station were a priority for elderly people.

He said the planning behind the scheme was not on the same "wavelength" as the needs for residents.