CAMPAIGNERS are on course to gather 1,000 signatures in a bid to fight plans to axe public toilets. Point, Walton kickstarted a petition to save the public loos in Frinton and Walton.

The petition, named ‘We Want to Wee’ is trying to stop the closure of loos.

Tendring Council plan to shut ten public toilets across the district in a bid to save £60,000.

The petition has already surpassed its original 500 signatures target and Steven is now hoping they will get 1,000 people to put pen to paper.

They will then present the petition to the council.

The under threat WCs are Walton’s Mill Lane toilets and public lavs in Old Way, Frinton.

Steven says that the removal of the loo’s will cause wider health problems in the community in the future.

He said: “Everywhere I go people tell me it is mad to be thinking of closing the toilets.

“Access to a decent public toilet is a basic need and it is vital in this area with large numbers of elderly people and visitors. I think it’s the largest petition that the town has seen in the past few years.”

Steve also says that the Walton Parish Church, Labour party, shopkeepers and WI are all backing the campaign.

The current total stands at 370 signatures on paper and 300 online in gather in just over four weeks since the petition was launched.

There have also been calls for the town council to take over the running of both facilities and save them from closure.

In July Frinton town councillor and Tendring Council toilets boss Nick Turner said the district authority would be “pleased in principle” to have talks with anyone who wanted to take over the running of the loos.

Steven’s wife, Isobel Walker has lived in Walton for 58 years and has a background as a district nurse.

She said: “Everyone should have access to a lavatory, we very much want to save our public loo’s. They cater for our summers visitors but what about the town folk?”

Steve said he was shocked that that his original target has been exceeded and hopes to present the petition in the coming weeks.

Other toilets facing the axe include Ipswich Road, in Holland on Sea, the Westcliff gents, High Street car park and Magdalen Green toilets, in Clacton, and the Garden Road block, in Jaywick.

Visit you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/keep-our-loos-open.