Coate Water toilets 'run down, disgusting and always locked'

With most children breaking up for the summer holidays this week, Coate Water Country Park is a popular choice for a family day out, but many people have taken to social media to complain about the toilets closing early and the unhygienic state they have found them in when they are open.

Swindon Borough Council, which manages the park, says it has acted on the feedback by extending the opening hours this week.

Ricki Roberts posted on Facebook: “Been out to Coate Water today… saw a post on here the other day about toilets being shut very early in afternoon, I should have taken that as a warning. Went over there today early afternoon - are the disabled toilets locked constantly?

“Considering it’s also the only changing facilities there as well. Had sign on door about seeing a ranger for a key but when you have a very young baby who is screaming with a dirty nappy and needing feeding seems very impractical to go all the way to ranger place for key in the hopes they are lurking around, which usually they aren’t. Think it’s a total joke.”

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Michelle Banaschewsky said: “The toilets are absolutely disgusting, I used them on Saturday. They are very run down, dirty and are in desperate need of an upgrade. It’s like a builders yard in them with equipment being stored inside the changing area.”

The inside of the women's toilets (Image: Newsquest)

Swindon Borough Council was given a £100,000 grant to install a Changing Places toilet at Coate Water and Lydiard Park last year, designed for those who require a larger accessible toilet with equipment like hoists, privacy screens, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers.

But many visitors have said it is always locked and even with a RADAR key, which many people with a disability carry, they have not been able to gain access.

Jane Pitcher added: “The majority of the public suffering because of a few mindless idiots! Surely there could be CCTV put up at the entrance of the loos. With a big notice saying vandalism will result in prosecution.

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“It makes me really angry that now I know about toilets being closed earlier, it means I will not feel inclined to visit.

"If it’s known that vandalism happens later in the day, surely a warden patrolling the area during that time is more cost effective than deterring many people from visiting the park due to the facilities being closed? Who takes pleasure from vandalising public toilets?"

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, the cabinet member for planning and placemaking, said: “Coate Water is one of our flagship country parks and we know it is treasured by residents throughout the Borough.

"This is why we are investing in the facilities to make it even better for visitors and we’re pleased we have opened the pitch and putt and crazy golf this week, while the brand-new splash park will be open very soon.

“We also carefully listened to feedback from those who use the park, which is why from today July 25 we have extended the opening hours of the toilets until 6pm each day as we know this will benefit individuals and groups who visit later in the day.”