COUNCILLORS facing repair bills for thousands of pounds say they’re being forced to look at charging for public toilets because of continued destruction and vandalism.

Damage to toilets in Bedale has cost taxpayers thousands since the town council took over responsibility for them in 2011 from Hambleton District Council.

Now they have asked town clerk Charlie Hart to come up with costings for coin-operated machines on the doors of the toilets in the Bridge Street car park to see if it is cost effective, in the hope it will stop vandals from repeatedly damaging the toilets.

It’s estimated it’s going to cost up to £1,500 per door, which means £3,000 in the Bridge Street car park alone. The council is also responsible for toilets in Bedale Hall Park.

Cllr Malcolm Young said: "Whether it will work we’re not sure, it is like security on houses, it is always secure until you open the door. But toilets in other areas which are coin controlled do seem to be well looked after. I don’t think turnstiles are a good idea because vandals would just jump over them.”

Councillor Clive Pointon said: "It is probably the way we will have to go, either that or close them, it is extremely disappointing and I don’t think we have budgeted for this.”

Mayor councillor Christine Mollard added: "There are very few places now where you don’t have to pay.”

Yvonne Rose of the community forum appealed to councillors to look at problems in Bedale Hall park toilets which are regularly damaged, with particular problems on Saturdays when the car boot sale is held.

The council spent over £10,000 on repairs and maintenance in the first two years of taking over the toilets, which was largely responsible for a shortfall of £4,500 in their budget which had to be taken from reserves.