Lucea vendors peeved over closure of public toilets
Published:Saturday | May 10, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Chris Bodden, Gleaner Writer
LUCEA, Hanover:
Vendors in the Cleveland Stanhope Market in Lucea and shop owners in the Municipal Car Park who sell food and other items are peeved that the Hanover Parish Council's public toilet facilities in the town are closed on Sundays.
According to them, there is nowhere in the town to go on a Sunday to relieve themselves or to wash hands, which is key to food safety.
Contravention of Public Health Act
The closure, they say, is also in contravention of the Public Health Act, which says all food establishments should have adequate toilet facilities that are conveniently located, accessible, and in good sanitary condition and repair. The act also states that there should be an adequate supply of potable water, and at least one hand-washing station installed and maintained.
"What if you are travelling with a young child. Where are you expected to go?" one vendor, who requested anonymity, asked. "We pay so much for market fees, yet we can't get to use the provided facilities on a Sunday. This is madness!"
The vendors are calling on the Hanover Parish Council to have at least one overseer for the public toilets on a Sunday as members of the commuting public are also affected and are left to use bushes and other discreet sections of the town to carry out bodily functions, contributing to the smelly state of the town.
When contacted, Councillor Neville Clare of the Lucea division said the current policy governing the operation of public sanitary convenience sees the council operating the facilities from Mondays to Fridays.
"No one is there to monitor them on a Sunday, and we can't leave them unlocked for fear of vandalism," he said. "Additionally, the market and municipal park are officially closed on a Sunday.
"I'm not opposed to the idea of someone being there to monitor the usage of the toilets on Sundays, but such a decision would have to be taken at council," Clare added when asked about concerns regarding the travelling public on Sundays.