Will Barnstaple bus station toilets reopen?

A call for Barnstaple Bus Station toilets to be reopened has been issued by North Devon MP, Selaine Saxby. 

The toilets, which have been closed since the coronavirus lockdown of 2020, have been met with comments from the public claiming they have “been closed for too long.”

The closure was necessitated by a combination of factors, including the dilapidated condition of the facilities, reports of antisocial behaviour, and challenges in ensuring public safety.

Efforts to revamp the facilities faced hurdles due to structural limitations and safety concerns. 

The layout of the building posed significant challenges, with reports of misuse, criminal activities, and incidents of abuse adding to the complexity of the situation. 

Even with security measures in place, the authorities found it difficult to curb the antisocial behaviour.

The closure of the Barnstaple Bus Station during the lockdown further exacerbated the situation, rendering the premises devoid of any activity. 

Despite promises from local authorities to reopen the station by Easter, delays have persisted, leaving residents and visitors without essential amenities.

In response to mounting pressure, MP Selaine Saxby raised the issue during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), emphasising the impact on the local economy and the inconvenience faced by residents.

Ms Saxby outside the bus station.

The Prime Minister highlighted the government's commitment to supporting bus services and acknowledged the importance of addressing the concerns raised by Ms Saxby.

The Government will also be providing Devon with £17 million worth of funding towards bus services on top of the £2 fare cap encouraging local residents to use the bus. 

Speaking on the matter, Selaine Saxby reiterated the need for prompt action, citing the plight of residents enduring extreme weather without access to public facilities. 

Ms Saxby said: “Since the end of the pandemic I have urged our Lib Dem Council to reopen Barnstaple Bus Station. I have received correspondence from many residents in North Devon and beyond about the woeful situation with people waiting outside in extreme weather without any public facilities.

“I am pleased that I could raise this ongoing issue with our Prime Minister, during PMQs this week, where the Prime Minister both highlighted the work of the Government to boost bus services and called on the Lib Dems to get on and open the bus services at Barnstaple.”

She thanked the Prime Minister for his support and expressed hope for a swift resolution to the ongoing issue.

North Devon Council was approached for a comment from the Gazette.

They said: “While the Barnstaple Bus Station café and toilet are temporarily closed, the bus station itself is open and buses into and out of the station are operating as normal. We are continuing to make progress on work to refurbish and reconfigure the station, with a new layout which will accommodate a café with toilets and a waiting area. We are in advanced discussions with a contractor, as well as a café operator for the station once it reopens.

"The safety of our residents and visitors is paramount and it was recognised that the layout of the bus station building made it a target for misuse and anti-social behaviour. We now have a scheme that will allow the building to be a place bus station visitors can use safely. We will announce any further details and an opening date on our website and social media channels at the earliest opportunity.”