Discrimination claim over toilets

PROVIDING a public toilet for the disabled in Stockton Heath, but not for able bodied people, has been dubbed “discrimination” by an angry resident.
Local people have been campaigning for some time to get the toilets on The Forge shopping centre car park – closed after “inappropriate” activities – re-opened.
Resident Brian Buckley told Stockton Heath Parish Council he felt it was wrong that a toilet was available for people with a “disabled key”, but not for other visitors.
“People who are not disabled are being discriminated against. The principle should be toilets for everyone or toilets for no-one.”
Coun Sonia Boggan said: “Why should disabled people have toilets when others don’t? Why are the disabled toilets locked when there are no other toilets in Stockton Heath?”
PCSO Peter Crellin said the toilets were closed following many reports of inappropriate behaviour in the gents. The “final straw,” he said, was an incident involving a 12-year-old boy.
Clerk Peter Briggs said the borough council had no budget for new toilets or to re-furbish and re-open the existing ones.
Patrick Mullee said: “Can’t they just open the ladies as the problem is more embarrassing for women? Men can just walk into a bar and use the toilets.”