Jimmy's loo campaign gets MP's backing

10:18am Thursday 12th June 2008

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LEIGH loo campaigner Jimmy Ashworth has government minister MP Andy Burnham’s backing in his one man crusade for more toilets.

Their long standing battle for better conveniences for the town has led to proposed plans for another unwelcome superloo being put on hold.

Pensioner Jimmy, of Wigan Road, Leigh, wants to see the Bengal Street block re-opened and manned during working hours and a charge of 20p made to attact more shoppers into the centre.

Mr Burnham, who has been seeking a solution to the problem for six years, believes it would be foolish to go-ahead with a superloo, which is not univerally popular, without putting the issue to the people.

He says there has been a superloo on Leigh bus station for many years, but it is not well used, and definitely not the right solution to the shortage.

There is no doubt that improvements are needed and it is important that people are provided with the type of toilets that will be used.

In Atherton and Ashton improvements have been made to existing buildings to satisfy public demand.

The same should be done here, but if the much vandalised Bengal Street building is to be demolished and the site sold the money should be used to pay for a new one in another part of town - somewhere around the Vernon Street car park might be a good idea.

The council should take the MP’s advice and canvass public opinion in the shopping centre on the type of toilets they want and where they should be sited before taking any action.

I think Jimmy, who organised a petition for more toilets, can be pretty pleased that the people in power are listening to the little man in the street.