A residents’ association has slammed its own councillors’ decision to close a public toilet and has launched a campaign to get them to change their minds.

Epsom and Ewell Residents’ Association councillors were caught by surprise when Stoneleigh and Auriol Residents’ Association (SARA) voted to start a campaign last week against the closure of the only public toilet in the area.

The campaign, complete with a logo, calls on residents to help “to persuade RA councillors to think again and reverse their unwelcome decision to close the public convenience in Stoneleigh Broadway.”

Residents’ Association (RA) councillor Christine Long, from Auriol Ward, said: “I think it would have been nicer if we had been told about it as opposed to it being put in the website.

“At the moment, the closure of the toilets is a cost-saving exercise, which is in line with all councils.

"Now we have to go back and see what happens and take it from there.”

The decision to close Stoneleigh’s public toilet is part of swingeing budget cuts planned by the council, and with the closure of the toilets in Ewell Village and Epsom will save £21,000 per year.

Conservative councillor Sean Sullivan said: “This is final proof of how out of touch RA councillors are when the largest RA in the borough comes out to campaign against a budget all RA councillors supported.

"Perhaps SARA might join our campaign against the RAs cruel removal of free parking for the disabled while they’re at it.”

In February, Liberal Democrat councillors proposed a scheme similar to the one currently in place in Richmond, where local businesses would work in partnership with the council to offer public toilets to residents.

Lib Dem Councillor Jonathan Lees said: “Stoneleigh and Auriol councillors voted without hesitation to support closure of the Stoneleigh public toilets.

"However, when the closure of public toilets was discussed at the council's Environment Committee meeting, the Lib Dems were only prepared to support such closures if a scheme similar to the one which operates in Richmond was put in place.”

The chairman of the RA group, Councillor Robert Leach, who represents Auriol ward, expressed his surprise SARA had decided to launch the campaign when “it has not debated or discussed the issues with the councillors first”.

He said the closure of the toilets was necessary because of the budgetary constraints but they would stay open for the next three months during which time a plan for alternative arrrangements would be drawn up.

Bill Slaughter, chairman of SARA, released a statement which read: “Independent Residents’ Association councillors in Epsom and Ewell are renowned and respected for listening to their electors.

“And it is precisely because all RA councillors really do listen to residents that SARA is confident the strong representations it is making to them will persuade RA councillors that there is a very valid case for retaining the borough council-operated public convenience in Stoneleigh Broadway, the second largest shopping precinct in Epsom and Ewell, for the benefit of our local residents, traders and shoppers who come from far and wide to shop in Stoneleigh.”

Councillors Alan Winkworth, Ruby Smith and Sandra Sanger, from Stoneleigh ward, have all declined to comment.

What do you think? Is the decision necessary to save money? Or are you opposed to the closures like the residents? Let us know on the comments box below to let us know...