Witham shoppers and traders were today angry over delays in opening the town's new public toilets.

The Newlands Drive public toilets closed last autumn, with the new loos scheduled for completion three weeks ago.

But when gas engineers turned up recently to connect the gas supply to the building they were unable to get in.

As a result the toilets' opening has been delayed until a new appointment can be made.

Hayden Bates, a Braintree Council principal environmental health officer, said: "We've said to the contractor that it's now urgent."

Peter Sexton, director of contractors G R Sexton, said: "There must have been a crossed wire somewhere, they turned up a day early or we turned up a day late.

"It's unfortunate otherwise they would have been open by now. We're now looking at getting the gas supply on during the week commencing May 5."

Witham residents and traders have expressed frustration at the prolonged closure of the toilets.

And shopper Carol Baker, 20, of Teak Walk, said: "I think it's disgusting for kids who you are potty training, where else have they got to go, and I'm thinking of disabled people like my mum.

"The nearest toilet from there are the Grove Centre 10p ones and sometimes they're not working, and then you've got to use the Tesco ones."

Published Friday, April 25, 2003

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