AFTER an enforced closure of more than a year, the seafront public toilets at Lake Slipway, near Sandown, have reopened.

Lake Parish Council, which opened the loos today (Monday, July 1), has shelled out more than £20,000 for extensive and complex repairs and renovation work, which includes a new purpose-built pump, the reinstatement of a broken pipe and other essential engineering works in that time.

The pump alone cost around £13,000.

But access to the toilets has also been delayed by around 15 months, following cliff falls, repair work to the promenade and incidents of anti-social behaviour.

There is no CCTV covering the area.

Parish council chairperson, Cllr Paul Brading, said: "This has been a very frustrating process and we have re-opened as soon as we can. Thanks to all involved in making this possible.

"But we recognise any future damage may result in a further closure and costs to the parish."

Lake Parish Council is also in the process of replacing public toilets in New Road in Lake, amid ongoing vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Having previously replaced Lake Cliff Gardens public toilets, the parish council allocated funding to make provision for a longer term solution for the slipway toilets.

"It is a very vulnerable amenity, in a very vulnerable location, with cleaning access limited to the start and end of the day," continued Cllr Brading.

"We hope all users of the facility appreciate the time and resources expended, to enable re-opening in time for the summer season and ensuring the longer-term provision of this much-needed utility."