MORE residents have spoken out about the state of public toilets.

The Argus reported yesterday that the Pavilion Gardens toilets had been criticised for being unclean, and now people have lambasted Hove’s toilets.

Anna Waring filmed a video of Hove Lawns toilets on Friday showing used sanitary products lying around and cobwebs.

The video also shows a broken lock and a lack of toilet paper.

Alex Mckenzie, from Hove, said: “These toilets used to be beautifully maintained, with an attendant and fresh flowers.

“Now, the smell hits you first and then the dirty walls and the stains on the floors, doors and toilets themselves.

“I wrote to Brighton and Hove City Council but have not received a reply.

“I have heard they are considering charging for the use of the public toilets due to misuse.

“These toilets have not been misused, they have very sadly been totally neglected.”

A council spokeswoman said: “Due to the anti-social behaviour we have invested £800,000 into increasing attendant hours at the Pavilion Garden toilets and those on the seafront.

“In addition, we are making a significant capital investment into the city’s public toilets, and full details plus a business case will come before councillors in the summer.

“We ask anyone who is unhappy with the cleanliness of any public toilet to report it online at the council’s website or phone our contractor Healthmatic directly.”

The Argus has spoken to Healthmatic’s regional manager for the South East, Ajay Spolia, about residents’ concerns, but has so far received no response.

Hove resident and beach hut owner Linda Malcolm said: “A while ago the toilets near the bowls club on Western Esplanade had a full-time attendant and were always absolutely immaculate.

“Wettons managed to keep the toilets reasonably clean even after the full-time attendant was removed but since Healthmatic took over the decline has accelerated.

“Whatever the council pays Healthmatic is money wasted because I see very little evidence of regular cleaning.

“On Marathon day, I went to the toilets at about 10.45am and was appalled to find one toilet blocked, several toilet paper containers pulled off the walls and one cistern with a broken handle.

“The cubicles, sinks and floor were filthy.

“We all know about budget cuts but the neglect of basic facilities such as public toilets in a resort town is just ridiculous.”

Paul Griffin, from Hove, said: “The mens at Hove Lawns are in a pretty bad state of repair.

“On one occasion I noticed that the cistern pipe was broken and leaking everywhere and the problem had not been fixed two weeks later.

“It is a public facility so naturally there are going to be times when they are not as clean or in such good condition as others but this is a waste of water, a cost that we are all paying for on top of a cleaning contract that does not seem to be working.”