PUBLIC toilets are to reopen across the Cotswolds within the next few days.

Cotswold District Council has announced the reopening of its 15 public toilet sites.

At the request of local residents and following concerns about sanitation, tomorrow (Thursday 28 May) the council will reopen the public toilets it provides in Bourton-on-the-Water.

The remaining sites in Bibury, Chipping Campden, Cirencester, Fairford, Lechlade, Morton in Marsh, Northleach, Stow-on-the-Wold and Tetbury will reopen on Monday, June 1.

The toilets are managed and maintained on behalf of the council by Healthmatic.

New safety measures include social distancing markers on both the inside and the outside of the toilets, and the main entrance doors of the traditional toilet blocks will be propped open to reduce the possibility of contamination.

Some of the cubicles will be closed to help maintain social distancing, and when the toilets are being cleaned they will be temporarily closed while the work is carried out.

Anyone who does use the toilet facilities is reminded that they do so at their own risk. They are also advised to maintain social distancing at two metres apart and to use hand sanitiser before entering, and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards.

Cllr Jenny Forde, cabinet member for health, well-being and public safety said: “Our Cotswold towns and villages haven’t yet reopened.

"With the shutters down on our ice-cream shops and our tourist attractions still firmly closed we’re reminding anyone who does venture out that a visit will be much ‘Better Later’.

“However, as we begin to move out of lockdown the last few days have seen more people starting to travel a little further from home. As a council we’re responding to this by getting our toilet services back up and running in a way which is as safe as possible.

“We would like remind everyone to ‘Come for a walk, not for the day’ but please rest assured that we can’t wait to welcome tourists back as soon as we can in the near future.”

Some of the toilets cost 20p to use. Disabled access with a RADAR key is free.

Full details of the toilet locations, facilities, opening times and charges can be viewed on the council website at cotswold.gov.uk/parking-travel-and-visitors/public-toilets/