The future of Carew’s public toilets remains uncertain after a survey showed residents’ unwillingness to continue funding them.

Carew Community Council worked hard to keep these facilities open for 12 months after Pembrokeshire County Council initially announced their closure plans last year. During that time, councillors explored every possible solution for maintaining these essential amenities.

To gather community feedback, a survey was hand-delivered survey to each of the 817 households in Carew Parish, asking if residents would support keeping the toilets open through additional council tax contributions. Only 192 responses were returned, with 105 voting no and 87 voting yes.

Based on these results, it was clear that the majority did not support this funding approach.

In response, Carew Community Council plans to request that Pembrokeshire County Council open the toilets during the summer months, when demand is highest, to ensure they are available in the peak season.

A local resident, who had pressed the County Council in summer on the subject of the public conveniences, pointed out recently that the facilities in Carew are used by delivery drivers, contractors, public transport crews and “hoards of visitors to Carew Castle 24/7.”

If the WCs close, “males with prostate issues, and females of every age from teens right through to child bearing age, menopausal and later those with later life issues all need to access facilities urgently and would be unable to unless they pay for a meal or at least a drink.”

On holiday in North Wales, the resident noted the number and frequency of facilities everywhere. “Good quality, clean, free, available and very plentiful. I dread to think what visitors are going to make of our little seaside towns with no facilities whatsoever!”

Community Councillors are grateful to everyone who engaged with them throughout this process and supported their efforts.