Pledge of new public loos for city centre by 2028

The deputy leader of Peterborough City Council has promised that the city centre will have new public loos by 2028.

Mohammed Jamil was responding to recent calls by residents and fellow councillors that the lack of centrally accessible toilets was a major issue.

"I totally agree," he said. "We think they are essential [and] crucial and we will go out of our way to make sure this happens.

"We hear the public's message to us loud and clear and, as an administration, we are looking to bring public toilets back into use within two years."

Jamil said he hoped they would be located in or around Cathedral Square.

As part of the government's Pride in Place programme, the city centre is set to receive £750,000 this year and the same again next year.

"We now see a golden opportunity with the city centre funding," Jamil said.

"What we're looking at with colleagues is how we're going to spend that money.

"Public toilets are very high up on our agenda."

He did, however, reject the option of reopening the former toilets behind St John's Church.

"A lot depends on what we're going to do with the Guildhall," he said.

"Those [old] toilets were right behind the Guildhall. If we repurpose the Guildhall – say, for example, as a restaurant – [then] it may not be the best place for them."

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