Toilet Tour: The good, the bad and the smelly

IT’S official – the holidaymakers have begun descending on the coast’s world-class beaches.

In an attempt to walk in the shoes and see through the eyes of a tourist this reporter conducted a ‘toilet tour’ to see if the coast is ready for its many visitors.

Sadly, it appears the beach facilities (well, the ones that are open) are in need of some serious maintenance before the start of the holiday season.

On Monday this week, a visit to St Mike’s beach revealed that there were many holidaymakers about, but that the public toilets were not open. This ablution block has been closed for more than a month.

Although people were seen working on the building, it is unclear as to when it will actually reopen. A poster stuck on its entrance read ‘please do not enter, toilets are out of order due to maintenance work on site… enter at your own risk’.

Further along, at Uvongo beach, the toilets in the men’s and women’s block appear to be adequate, but still nothing to write home about.

There is a general lack of maintenance evident, with a tap missing from one of the basins as well as some broken toilet seats. The lid of a tank is missing.

The buildings located on the beachfront are in need of a coat of paint. The recently erected wooden poles around the pool are already missing.

South Coaster Jacques Sellschop, who recently took overseas visitors to the public toilet facilities adjacent to the Uvongo pier, said nothing had been done since his complaint was lodged with the facility attendant about two problematic toilets some three months ago.

One of the toilets in the men’s section has a continuous cistern leak, while the second toilet has a black plastic bag over it and the cistern is disconnected.

“For more than 10 weeks, water has been wasted in the facility and nothing appears to have been done about it,” he said.

Mr Sellschop said although the maintenance of public facilities is a challenge, council prides itself on managing a leisure destination that is expected to be one of choice, particularly among the international community.

“The municipality needs to display far greater effectiveness than currently appears to be the case in one of its most vital departments,” he said.

He wondered when last those responsible had visited and monitored the public convenience facilities.

“I have regular visitors from other countries to whom I like to show off our little South Coast jewel and am regularly embarrassed when they encounter our public facilities,” he added.

Further south, an ablution block on Margate’s main beach is closed. The toilets are currently being overhauled, and are expected to be open by next week.

A peek inside revealed that the newly revamped toilets are looking good. However, it should be questioned if regular maintenance to the facilities would not have done the trick, and saved the ratepayers money.

The ablution block at the Margate pier was shut, and the stench of urine was overwhelming.