Trial of toilets for Country Park

East Cambridgeshire District Council has launched a trial of public toilets in Ely’s award winning Country Park.

The trail, which lasts from July until September to cover the school summer holidays, follows consultation with the people who use the park who said toilets were the number one thing they would like to see installed.

The toilets, which consist of three portable units (male, female and baby changing/disabled), will be cleaned and stocked daily by an external cleaning company and will be open between 8am and 6pm.

The facilities will be covered by a new CCTV system which also covers the play and picnic area and surrounding area.

Councillor Richard Hobbs, Chairman of the Commercial Services Committee, said: “Since the installation of the new play and picnic equipment in May 2015, the Country Park has seen a huge increase in visitor numbers, especially families with children. Rather than force the users of the park to run to a bush or to the toilets along Ely Riverside, we have listened to feedback and installed three toilets on a trial period. We hope the new toilets will encourage even more people to visit the area. The country park has something for everyone – walking routes, play and picnic area for all ages, wildlife spotting, routes for dog walking.”

This trial forms part of the Ely Country Park Improvement Plan 2015-17 which was developed following user feedback and Council obligations. The improvement plan will also focus on access improvements and seating provision.

Ely Country Parks is an open space which has a number of features including children’s play area, sculptured walking routes and spectacular views of Ely Cathedral. There are also wildflower areas, riverside meadows and old gravel working pits.