Council won't spend a penny on toilets

Despite the signatures, the council said it could not afford to provide any loos and that it would ask businesses in the town to allow people to use theirs, but traders are not so keen on the idea.

Mr Lowther said: "The idea that there are no public toilets in a town the size of Chertsey with as much historical interest as Chertsey has is just daft. People need to be able to use the toilets and it shouldn't fall on traders to have to open their doors to anyone who needs to go."

In a letter to the petition's organiser, Leslie Condon, Runnymede Council's head of engineering, Steve Fuggles, said: "We know that, ideally, the public should have easy access to good quality toilets for the general health and well being of the whole community.

"The council considered the limited options for providing public toilets in Chertsey, including taking over the maintenance of the Sainsbury toilets. Unfortunately, in the current financial climate, the council is unable to take on this additional cost."

He added that officers were considering asking traders to allow the public to use their toilets, as well as asking Sainsbury's to reconsider opening theirs.

But Sainsbury's said that it was unlikely to reopen the facilities because the repeated vandalism was costing them too much money. And other business owners believe it is not their responsibility to open up their toilets for people who are not paying customers.

Pam Philbey, manager of FARA charity shop in Guildford Street said: "This is not a good idea. We only have a minimal area and we will be at risk of crime. Sorry to those who would like a public toilet, but it is not our responsibility."

And a member of staff from Goodies restaurant in Windsor Street added that once when they allowed people to use their toilets, £700 was stolen, so they would not be doing it again.

Does Chertsey need public toilets? Should the council pay, Sainsbury's or someone else?