Public toilets in Southwold, Beccles, Bungay and Kessingland could be under threat of closure or become pay-loos as part of cost-cutting measures by Waveney District Council.

Eastern Daily Press: Pier public toilets in Southwold are among those under review. Picture: GREGG BROWNPier public toilets in Southwold are among those under review. Picture: GREGG BROWN

The council set out a report in 2015 reviewing its public conveniences with the aim of reducing its £2.4 million cost of maintaining and its 28 conveniences over five years.

Savings so far have amounted to around £500,000 from the transfer of responsibility at 10 public loos to parish councils.

But the council's latest report said that other measures could also be considered, including making some toilets charge for the public to use or closure altogether.

A Waveney spokeswoman said: 'This report refers to ongoing discussions about public conveniences and there are no decisions at this stage about any further changes to these services.'

The report also said that the remaining facilities would be subject to a financial review, and added: 'Facilities deemed to have low use and little community value should be considered for closure and disposal.'

The spokeswoman added: 'The appraisal by our asset management team has not yet taken place however it is our intention to begin looking at this within the next six months.'

A timescale for completion has not yet been laid out.

So far 10 of the 28 loos have changed hands to district councils, while a further four are the subject of ongoing discussions.

The remaining Waveney-operated toilets include three in Southwold at Ferry Road, Harbour and Pier, those in Gordon Road and Royal Plain, Lowestoft, Cross Street and Prior Lane in Bungay and Bakers Score in Corton.

Those in Jubilee Road South and Church Road in Kessingland and three in Beccles – Old Market, Blyburgate car park and Hungate car park – are also under review.

Julian Evans, marketing director at the Suffolk Coast destination management organisation, said: 'The provision of public conveniences has been a concern across the country, it has been reassuring to see facilities remain open in the Suffolk coast area, through arrangements with parish councils.

'We work closely with Waveney District Council and are confident that they understand the importance of tourism for the local business community and will consider all the implications.'

Public toilets run by Waveney District Council since 2015

Beccles

Blyburgate Car Park - under review

Hungate Car Park - under review

Old Market - under review

Beccles Quay - discussions for transfer ongoing

Bungay

Cross Street - under review

Prior Lane - under review

Corton

Bakers Score - under review

Halesworth

Market Place - discussions for transfer ongoing

Town Park - discussions for transfer ongoing

Thoroughfare - discussions for transfer ongoing

Kessingland

Jubilee Parade South - under review

Church Road - under review

Lowestoft

Gordon Road - under review

Lowestoft Cemetery - transferred to parish council

Sparrows Nest Park - transferred to parish council

Triangle Market - transferred to parish council

Kensington Gardens Park - transferred to parish council

Kirkley Cliff - transferred to parish council

Normanston Park - transferred to parish council

Pakefield Street - transferred to parish council

Royal Plain - under review

Oulton Broad

Nicholas Everitt Park - transferred to parish council

The Boulevard - transferred to parish council

Southwold

Church Green - transferred to parish council

Ferry Road - under review

Harbour - under review

The Pier - under review