BUCKETS labelled as ‘emergency public toilets’ have been placed on roadsides by campaigners to highlight the closure of public loos.

The buckets have been placed on several junctions and roundabouts in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd in response to Gwynedd Council’s decision to close a total of 50 out of the county’s 73 public toilets as part of their £4.6m worth of cuts.

The council says the buckets, which are labelled “Gwynedd Council Emergency Public Toilet”, are dangerous.

Porthmadog councillor Jason Humphreys, who has spoken out against the closure of public toilets, said he understands the reason behind the campaign, but agrees with the local authority that they pose a distraction to motorists.

He said: “People have a right to protest at the actions of a council that makes outrageous threats to close two thirds of our public toilets and refuse to tell us which ones. They seem to be obsessed with management and image and too pompous to be doing things like cleaning streets, cutting grass and running toilets.

“I can agree though that there are safety issues here. I suppose that these buckets can be easily blown around and become a distraction to motorists.”

Tywyn councillor Louise Hughes, who has been a long-time campaigner against closing public toilets, added: “I wish I’d thought of it, what a brilliantly simple way to highlight the issue."

Gwynedd Council has said that no decisions have been made as to which toilets will close as of yet.

A spokesperson for the authority said: “Over the past few days, council officers have had to remove several buckets that have been left on main road roundabouts and junctions.

“As well as posing a dangerous distraction to motorists on the main road, clearing these littered items also takes up the time and resources of the council’s staff."

See the full story in this Thursday’s Cambrian News