NEARLY all of Southend's public toilets have been closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Southend Council have stated the closures are to ensure staff can be re-deployed elsewhere whilst the toilets are not being used as residents stay at home.

Public toilets in locations such as shopping districts and parks have also been closed as these areas are now seeing a drastic reduction in footfall.

Toilets at a small number of key locations across the borough will remain open, a decision that will be reviewed daily.

Those that remain open are spread across the seafront from Shoebury to Leigh, as this area has been recognised as an area that has been used for daily exercise.

The closed toilets are:

  • All toilets in public parks – specifically Southchurch Hall Gardens, Southchurch Park, Priory Park, Belfairs Park and Shoebury Park
  • Chalkwell Park, London Road
  • Chalkwell Esplanade, Chalkwell
  • Dalmatia Road, Southchurch – near junction between Dalmatia Road and Southchurch Road
  • East Beach, Shoebury
  • Elm Road, Leigh – between Rectory Grove and Broadway West
  • Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff – Hamlet Road Car Park near junction with London Road
  • Ness Road, Shoebury – junction with Ness Road and Campfield Road
  • Seaway, Southend – next to Seaway car Park and Lucy Road
  • Sutherland Boulevard, Leigh – at junction between Sutherland Boulevard and London Road
  • Thorpe Bay Corner, Thorpe Bay

A small number of public toilets will remain open. They are:

  • Bell Wharf, Leigh
  • Crowstone, seafront near Chalkwell Avenue, Chalkwell
  • George Street, entrance to East Beach, Shoebury
  • Marine Parade, seafront near Kursaal
  • Shoebury Common, near uncle Toms cabin, Shoebury
  • Shorefields, seafront, near Arches Cafés, Westcliff

Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: "We have made the decision to close a number of our public toilets.

"As the Government has instructed residents to stay home other than for very specific circumstances, keeping the toilets open not only drains resources for cleaning and maintenance, but also promotes unnecessary travel.

"We are keeping a small number open.

"We must ensure we continue to listen to Government and Public Health England advice and guidance.

"The toilets that remain open are there in recognition that people can go out to exercise, but we are clear that anyone who is out needs to do this in line with the Government guidance.

“They are also subject to quick closure as this situation evolves, so we will monitor them as we continue to adapt our services to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.”