New toilets open in Vale Park after community campaign

The new facilities come after the park’s original toilets were destroyed beyond repair during Storm Arwen in 2021.

Portable toilets were put in place as a temporary replacement, but faced a  backlash for being a “serious health hazard”, while councillors and community groups campaigned for new facilities to be built.

The destroyed toilets in Vale Park (Image: George Morgan)

READ: Toilets to reopen in Vale Park after community campaign

On Monday (January 29) it was announced that the new toilets were ready and available for visitors to use.

New Brighton Ward Councillors, Cllr Sue Powell-Wilde, and Cllr Tony Jones, said: "We're absolutely thrilled to see the public toilet facilities back in Vale Park.

READ: Vale Park to get temporary toilets over summer holidays as repairs continue

The portaloos were branded a health hazard (Image: Ed Barnes, Local Democracy Reporter)

“The new bespoke block, a much-needed replacement after the severe weather damage to the old building, ensures equitable access for our visitors and locals to enjoy the outdoors for exercise and socialising. 

“We wish to thank to our community groups, and the public for their understanding, and a huge thank you to the Coffee Roast in Vale house for their incredible support during this build.”

Ward councillors Tony Jones and Sue Powell-Wilde by the site of the toilets in Vale Park (Image: Newquest)

READ: Vale Park goers desperate for public toilets after storm destroyed building

Richie Pitt, the owner of The Coffee Roast at Vale Park told the Globe: “It’s been such a long time coming. I didn’t think I’d ever get so excited over new toilets but I think ecstatic is the word.

“There were a lot of people visiting the park and not being able to use the facilities at all so humans do what they do and go when and where they need to go so it wasn’t particularly nice so this is a very welcome relief.

READ: Temporary toilets in New Brighton a 'serious health hazard' say group

“It also takes away a bit of pressure from the actual Vale House as well because they’ve only got three toilets in there whereas now we have five new toilets so we have eight working toilets within the park.

“So hopefully we’re going to have an amazing summer and people can start enjoying the park again because people did stay away because they weren’t able or didn’t want to utilise the portaloos that were there because they weren't very nice.”

The new toilets are located in the top car park where the old toilets were destroyed.

Richie said: “They’ve made them better now because there were only four toilets without an accessible toilet previously whereas now there are four toilets plus an accessible toilet which can be accessed if someone is part of the radar key scheme.

“The good thing is that the new toilets have baby changing facilities in them now too which is absolutely incredible because the last ones didn’t have them.

“I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped make it happen, the Friends of Vale Park, Cllr Sue Powell-Wylde, New Brighton Coastal Communities Team, and the public. it just goes to show what happens when people’s voices are heard properly.”