SIR — With reference to the closure of the Blue Anchor public conveniences (Free Press September 2), along with so many other people I find this situation completely incomprehensible.

The closure will be an immense loss to the location as a holiday resort and to the countless people who rely on the facilities day to day throughout the year.

Earlier this year we saw this headline in a national newspaper: “New coastal path opens up Somerset’s unsung Jurassic Coast”. It was referring to the opening of nearly 60 miles of new coastal path in Somerset as part of a national trail around England’s coast, joining up several long distance trails to form the longest continuous circular walk in the world.

A further major attraction due to enhance Blue Anchor is the Steam Coast Trail.

And our contribution . . . no toilets!

Unfortunately, there is no law to say that a local authority has to provide toilets for its citizens, and many have disappeared across the UK.

We all know the difficulties faced by West Somerset Council are enormous and that it is having to make tough decisions.

But it makes absolutely no sense at all to close public toilets while at the same time engaging in the promotion of tourism in Somerset.

The good news is that some local parish and town councils have managed to attract funding from various sources, as has recently been seen in Exford, Watchet, Minehead, Dulverton, Porlock and Wheddon Cross.

Blue Anchor’s toilets have unique issues, hence they are proving the most problematic to solve.

The building itself is not in good condition and is too large to be managed economically.

Whatever happens, we need to retain these very necessary facilities in some form or other.

Margaret Smith,

Cleeve Park,

Chapel Cleeve.