Dovercourt: Lock problem at new loos (From Gazette)

Dovercourt: Lock problem at new loos

10:50am Sunday 21st March 2010 in

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TOURISTS spending a penny in newly built loos have had a shock when confronted with waiting customers.

A problem with the door locks at the toilets in Dovercourt have meant those waiting to use the loos are walking into the new cubicles when they are already in use.

The issue emerged after a group of walkers used toilets in Cliff Park in the town only for one woman to be walked in on before she had finished despite locking the door.

The loos in Cliff Park, West End Lane and Lower Marine Parade were opened in recent months after Tendring Council spent £370,000 building them.

Lesley Pallett, of Lawford, said: “I had pushed the lock shut but someone else pushed on the other side and it just sprung open.

“So we all had a go trying to get them to lock afterwards and we just couldn’t seem to do it with the door closed.

“It seemed to be locked because I had pushed it right across. But it seems there isn’t any sign on the other side of the door indicating when a cubicle is engaged.

“I was on the side facing into the park and if it had been the height of summer with lots of people on the seafront I don’t know how many would have been able to see me.”

Tendring Council has said it has received a few complaints about the toilets.

Nigel Brown, Tendring Council’s communications manager, said the council apologised for the problem.

“We have experience a snagging issue with the doors at the recently built sites in Dovercourt,” he said. “The contractors have rectified the problem at West End Lane and work is being carried out at the Lower Marine Parade site. Now we are aware that there is an issue at Cliff Park also, it will be attended to.”