AN ISLE of Wight resident has expressed his frustration at the decision not to replace temporary toilets on Ryde Seafront. 

Since the toilet block was installed at Western Gardens in April, cubicle doors have been pulled off their hinges, wash basins ripped off walls, fires lit and drains deliberately blocked with toilet roll.

The Isle of Wight Council had warned that the facilities could be removed permanently if the damage continued.

It was hoped the attacks would tail off after the busy summer season, but following further vandalism, the toilet block has been demolished. 

Unable to stop the mindless vandalism, the local authority conceded that it couldn't provide a reliable service.

Ryde resident, Richard Davies, says the elderly, and people with disabilities had become reliant on the service. 

"I'm not happy," said Mr Davies. 

"They were supposed to last the year, and the police never seem to be there. 

"Lind Street toilets closed years ago, so the closest you have now is at Ryde Harbour. 

"Just four nights ago, I saw kids — 12 or 13-year-olds — trying to rip one of the doors off, and toilet paper was chucked all over the green. 

"The council could have installed better security, or the police could have patrolled on occasions."

Following the works planned for Ryde Interchange, the toilets were temporarily installed on Western Gardens for the duration of the project.

New, fully accessible public toilets will open in the station building in the spring as part of the major refurbishment of Ryde Esplanade Station.