WORKS to remove asbestos from a public toilet building in Weston-super-Mare are due to start today (Tuesday, July 9).

This is part of the improvement plans for the public toilets at Grove Park led by North Somerset Council.

This first stage of work involves a specialist contractor removing asbestos within the building.

It is planned for the building to be demolished later in the year, avoiding the busy summer period.

Subject to planning permission, the toilets are proposed to be relocated within the park by the end of 2025.

This is part of a programme of improvements made possible thanks to North Somerset Council’s successful bid for £20m from the UK government’s Levelling Up fund.

To enable the work to be carried out over the next couple of weeks, the park entrance near the toilets – at the junction of the High Street, Grove Road and Bristol Road Lower – will be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

Alternative entrances and businesses in the park, including Sprout café, will remain open as usual.

The nearest alternative public toilets can be found at the Sovereign.

A list of all public toilets across the area can be found on North Somerset Council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/toilets.

The 1960s toilet block at Grove Park, which are managed by Weston-super-Mare Town Council, have been closed since December 2023 due to vandalism. Since then, the Town Council and North Somerset Council have been working together to find a solution.

Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council’s executive member responsible for spatial planning, placemaking and economy, said: “Our plans to improve the entrance to Grove Park, a beautiful town centre green space, include relocating the public toilets as they are no longer fit for purpose in their current state.

“Asbestos has been found in the building, which is not surprising given its age – it was extensively used as a building material in the UK from the 1950s to the mid-1980s. If left undisturbed, asbestos does not pose a risk to public health and safety but clearly, our plans require a specialist contractor to carefully remove it.

“Once this work has been carried out, we plan to demolish the block and relocate new public toilets back into the park.

“The work is due to be completed by the end of next year.

“In the meantime, the nearest public toilets can be found at the Sovereign.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused while the work is being carried out but we’re sure people will be very pleased with the improvements planned.”

More information about North Somerset Council’s Levelling Up funded programme in Weston-super-Mare, visit their website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/levellingup.