A CAMPAIGNER has hit out at council bosses for “ignoring” a 1,000-name petition calling for a public loo in Jaywick to be saved.

Former Rush Green ward councillor Dan Casey had called on Tendring Council to overturn its decision to shut the public loos in Garden Road.

The toilets are one of ten blocks across the district that will be axed in a bid to save £60,000 a year.

Mr Casey presented the petition to council leader Neil Stock at a meeting of the cabinet in June.

He said: “I presented the petition to Mr Stock – he asked me to bring it to him during the meeting.

“But I have since received a letter saying it wasn’t presented correctly and did not meet the requirements of the council’s scheme for petitions as it did not state what action the petitioners want the council to take.

“It was labelled ‘save our loos’ and referred to the Garden Road toilets – it was very clear.”

Tendring Council bosses said there could be an option for a community group to take on the ownership and running of the toilets for a nominal sum, but no one has yet to express any interest to do so.

Mr Casey added: “They offered the loos to the community for £1 and I have spoken to people locally to see if people prepared to put up the cash to run it, but no one has come forward.

“The council has done up the roads in Jaywick and they look lovely – and we have the best beaches anywhere in Tendring, so it is a shame the toilets will close.

“People are already leaving nappies on the beach.

“I’m very disappointed – I think it is inevitable they will close.”

Mr Casey said residents had been let down after being promised more than ten years ago that there would be new toilet block to replace those in Garden Road.

Council toilets boss Nick Turner previously said he understood concerns over the closure of the Garden Road toilets, but said the block has been left in a “disgusting” state on numerous occasions.

“There have been substances there and antisocial behaviour round this site,” he said.

“It is appalling and no one in Garden Road wants them kept there – they have to go.

“Having said that, we do need a facility along there and that is something this cabinet will be looking at.”

A spokesman for Tendring Council said: “The petition submitted by Mr Casey objecting to the proposed closure of the public conveniences at Garden Road was received by cabinet on June 16 and confirmation of that receipt was sent to Mr Casey.

“Officers have been asked to undertake discussions with any interested parties as to the possible transfer of the public conveniences at Garden Road, Jaywick, but to date no one has contacted the council.”