MORE people have spoken out about the poor state of public toilets.

The Argus reported yesterday that the toilets in Pavilion Gardens, Brighton, had been criticised for being dirty.

Now the conveniences on Hove seafront are in the firing line.

Resident 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 lack of toilet paper.

Another resident, 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.”

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

“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 men’s 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.”

Resident Sally Ansell used the Hove Lawns toilets at the weekend. She said: “We all know everyone who possibly can will try to come to Brighton when the forecast is good. We are always going to be a destination of choice and our economy is built around this.

“Most people I spoke to in the queue for the toilet were disgusted at having to stand in a line to eventually get inside to three grubby antiquated toilets.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokeswoman said: “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.”

Healthmatic’s regional manager for the South East, Ajay Spolia, declined to comment, saying the council would do so.

l Visit theargus.co.uk to watch the video of Hove Lawns public toilets.