A Pembrokeshire village’s public toilets are set to close their doors this year.
The conveniences at Carew, which will now shut within months, were used 484 times in just one three-day spell, a community campaign survey revealed.
Their regular visitors include passing drivers, walkers, athletes on the Ironman and Long Course Weekend events and those using the adjacent playground and sports field,
There were hopes that the loos could stay open in the face of Pembrokeshire County Council cuts.
But subsequently, the majority of residents who responded to a survey were not in favour of paying extra council tax to keep the facilities going.
The toilets are alongside the A4075, opposite Carew Castle and adjacent to the village sports field and playground. (Image: Google Street View)
Carew Community Council then asked Pembrokeshire County Council if the toilets could be just during the summer months, when demand is highest, to ensure they are available in the peak season.
This was unsuccessful and the community council has now announced that the toilets will close on April 1, 2025.
Survey
Only around one in four households out of the 817 in the parish responded to the survey sent out by Carew Community Council.
And of these, 105 voted ‘no’ to an extra council tax contribution, with 87 in favour.
In contrast, two village loos in north Pembrokeshire have been saved following funding from their community council in response to public demand.
The toilets in Moylgrove and Nevern, where ‘hundreds’ of uses are reported, will now stay open and will be cleaned and maintained by people directly contracted by the community council, in place of national contractors Danfo.
Decision “unavoidable”
In a post on its Facebook page, Carew Community Council said that it “regrets to inform residents that, due to the lack of available funding from Pembrokeshire County Council, the public toilets will be permanently closed from 1st April 2025.
“Despite our best efforts to secure alternative funding, this decision has become unavoidable.
“We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we share in the community’s disappointment.
“Thank you for your understanding and continued support.”