New toilet block to reopen after bank demolition

A new town centre toilet block is expected to reopen in April following delays caused by the demolition of a neighbouring bank - and a collapsed sewer.

Fenland District Council said the building, close to Broad Street in March, Cambridgeshire, could not reopen until after the demolition of the Barclays next door.

It said the delay also followed previous issues with a collapsed sewer, which has now been repaired.

Councillor Chris Seaton, the lead member of the March Future High Streets steering group, said: "We're doing all we can to ensure the former Barclays building demolition and toilet opening can be complete as soon as possible."

The council bought the bank using some of the money it was awarded through the government's Future High Streets Fund.

The £6.4m was earmarked for five regeneration projects in the town, including upgrading Broad Street and integrating the Riverside areas into it.

The old toilet block was removed to allow the riverside to be opened.

Demolition work began on the former bank in November and the site was then marketed for sale.

Seaton said: "It's frustrating and unfortunate that the toilet opening date has had to be put back again.

"We're making every effort to ensure everyone can fully benefit soon from the whole transformative regeneration project and a reinvigorated March town centre for many years to come."

The toilets were funded jointly by Fenland District Council, with funding from the £8.4m March Future High Streets investment programme, the government and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

The council said the new block provided male, female and disabled facilities which would be accessed with a 20 pence contactless card payment.

Grays Lane was expected to remain closed until both projects were completed.

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