CONTROVERSIAL plans to close town centre toilet blocks will put people off coming to Bolton it was claimed (BEN December 1, 1995 and August 26, 1999). We've said it again and again and, now it's official, Bolton is one of the least convenient places to visit in the country (BEN August 26, 99).
I remember a few years ago the Bolton Evening News had almost daily coverage in support of the Farnworth residents' fight to close down their town centre toilets due to them being used for nothing more than men having sex with men. Let us not forget why the council has closed down some of the toilets - it is for the same reason as the Farnworth toilets were closed.
While some have complained about the toilets being closed down a lot of people are glad to see them go. Remember the Evening News' coverage of the toilets at Ivy Road in Bolton when the residents there campaigned for the toilets to be closed as they were used for nothing more than men having sex with men - just like Farnworth.
Manchester Road has had the same problem, along with all Bolton town centre toilets including Nelson Square, Moor Lane, the Railway Station, the Library, Shipgate, The Market Place, Moss Bank and every other toilet. Yes we need public toilets, but we don't need that sort of thing going on. As for complaints about Horwich toilets being closed, they should be bulldozed! In the last couple of years there have even been boys aged 13 and upward prostituting themselves and those toilets are used for no more than men having sex.
Super loos are used everywhere around London. In gay Amsterdam you won't find a traditional row of public urinals - it is all super loos. These loos are clean, safer and a lot more private. On streets with traditional men's public toilets you will find them in use for sex not as toilets.
Don't create the same old problems. When I go to a toilet I can very well do without someone peeping through a hole in the wall. Let's make sure we know what we are aiding the return of by calling for the toilets to be re-opened.
Even Rivington, in some parts, has become a no-go area for families. It is a stupid situation that needs sorting out.
Pete Stone
Hughes Avenue
Horwich
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article