MERSEA Island’s public toilets are to be closed by Colchester Council as part of its money-saving plans.

Colchester council, which pays for the public conveniences in the town, has announced the seafront blocks, in Coast Road and two in Victoria Esplanade, will shut in April.

The High Street loos will stay open.

Colchester Council has asked Mersea Town Council to take the toilets on, but it says it cannot afford it.

West Mersea’s mayor Peter Clements said: “There is no way on the amount of money we receive, we would run the public toilets.

“It is something that should be carried by the whole borough.

“It is a very expensive thing to run. We couldn’t possibly afford it.”

The seafront toilets are used by visitors, as well as fishermen, sailors and beach hut owners.

Mr Clements said: “People will be shocked.

“Wewant Colchester to change its mind and keep at least two or three of them, because they are so important.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Andrew French, 66, who has been fishing in the area his entire adult life, said: “The toilets are well used by a lot of people.

“I would have thought it would be totally opposed to closing it, because it is needed.

“I think there will be a big outcry from people.

“During the winter it won’t be quite so much of a problem, because there aren’t so many people down there, but to close it completely seems ridiculous.”

The town council has submitted a Freedom of Information request to Colchester Council, asking how much money will be saved, but is yet to receive a response.

It has also suggested making the toilets coin operated to help towards to costs.

Tina Bourne, borough councillor responsible for public protection, has written to town and parish councils encouraging them to run services themselves.

Commenting on the request to charge users, Mrs Bourne said: “We have looked at options, such as charging, however usage is not sufficient in these areas and therefore it is not viable. With the current crisis in public sector funding we have some really difficult decisions to make.

“It’s important local people have the opportunity to work together to find sustainable and more efficient ways to run nonstatutory services they want to keep.

“In some areas this has already happened and I hope local ownership alternatives will be taken up across the board, but I do have to set a deadline and this will be March 31, 2015.”

The council was unable to give a comment on the situation in Mersea.