RESIDENTS are calling on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to open the public toilets in the War Memorial Park.

The issue has been raised after a resident wrote to Labour councillor, Cllr Laura James, for help after she visited the park and when needing to use the facility, they found they were closed.

In the letter the resident claims that on numerous occasions they have questioned the council on the toilets in the popular park being locked.

The resident said: “I've been told they were only ever for the council workers in the park – which oss interesting given the finger posts round the park.”

The resident also claims that the council said the toilets were never meant for the public.

The letter, which the Gazette has seen, goes on to read: “I visit the park every Saturday for parkrun - often as many as 600 people in good weather - many have had a long drive to the park, others are visitors, some from other countries.

“We have to apologise for lack of amenities.

“Then there's the bootcamp groups, the children's football, so many of us, enjoying the War Memorial Park for a myriad of different reasons.

“It's "for the benefit of the community" as the council's War Memorial Park Future Plan proclaims. No toilets benefit the community?”

The borough council has said that it gives the provision of the toilets in the Parklands building in London Road.

However, these are only open Monday to Friday.

Cllr James is calling for residents who have had the same experience with the public toilets to write to the borough council to get them reopened.

She said: “I also found myself needing to use the Loos in the Eastrop park and they were closed. It is terrible that so many people use our parks and there are no loos.”

The borough council have been contacted for a comment.