THE proposed closure of the Barrow Bridge toilets, indeed the closure of many around the town, has attracted much comment.

There is an answer, however, why not install the good old French continental style toilet? Bear with me, I have not been on the loopy juice.

The reason we have the British enclosed toilet is down to Victorian modesty, the time when most of them were built. I know it is not 'The British Way' but hang on a minute, just consider the advantages.

For a start, although little of consequence can actually be seen, what is visible leaves little doubt as to what is taking place.

Hardly an ideal rendezvous for the lovelorn homosexual couple as they face the interested gaze of passing folk, especially if it were a passing policeman.

Parents can actually keep their children within view, surely a bonus when children are out with a parent not of their sex.

It is a basic fact of human condition that 'when you have got to go, you have got to go!'. If there is no toilet, what is it to be? Behind the bush, the wall, heaven forbid, the bus shelter? Hardly a question of modesty, simply one of need.

On that same question of modesty, there are millions of British visitors to France each year. I do not recall seeing many Brits walking cross-legged in agony, so where is the problem?

While some of the very basic continental toilets are little more than a hole in the ground, with two marked positions for the feet, one has to concede that there is little to vandalise in a hole nor much opportunity to scribble obscene graffiti when one is lacking a door to write on or a free hand to write with! Of course, if one is willing to accept an increased risk of vandalism, a conventional pedestal toilet would equally fit the bill, especially for the fairer sex.

Plainly, the effectiveness lies not in the appliance, but the degree of exposure of the non-critical parts of the anatomy.

The actual design should present few problems. The French have adapted the idea for use in town and country. I bet there is even an approved ECC standard covering construction.

It should need little more than the Bolton Head of Toilets faxing his counterpart in our twinned-town of Le Mans. I bet a blueprint could be on his desk the very same day.

Come on then Bolton Council let's show a bit of Lancashire individuality. It need not cost the earth. Instead of being negative about this problem, let's find a way round it.

If we all feel bad about depriving a section of the community a place to meet, we could re-open the old toilets as designated meeting places for the gay community, while the rest of us get on with our lives.

Brian Wood

Ashfield Grove

Bolton