By Olivia Grist

A number of public toilets in Cardiff have re-opened after complaints from residents.

Whilst some local authorities have kept their public toilets open throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Cardiff Council was amongst those who decided to shut them. 

After a number of complaints from residents – including those with conditions like Crohn’s disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – the council-operated toilets in Victoria Park, Roath Park Pleasure Gardens, Roath Park Lake and the Barrage have re-opened, but the toilets in The Hayes remain closed.

Cardiff Council made the announcement on social media and said the toilets will have regular cleaning regimes and social distancing measures in place to ensure public safety.

The council said: “Council-operated toilets in Victoria Park, Roath Park Gardens and at Roath Park Lake, as well as those at the Barrage, have re-opened with regular cleaning regimes and social distancing measures in place to ensure public safety.”

Crohn’s & Colitis UK, a charity which supports those with Crohn’s disease and Colitus, were amongst those who had urged the toilets to be re-opened.

Policy Lead for Wales, Wayne Lewis, says: “We’re pleased Cardiff Council has decided to re-open public toilets. For people with Crohn’s or Colitis, the closure of public toilets can mean they can’t go outside to exercise, pick up their medication or even shop for food for fear of having an accident in public. 

“Re-opening toilets is vital to preventing people with hidden conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease from being isolated at home, at a time when staying connected and healthy is harder than ever before.”

Images by Abi Davies and Liv Davies