PUBLIC toilets in Knights Road, Blackbird Leys, have been reopened after being closed for weeks during a complete refurbishment.

The facilities are the latest to be upgraded as part of a £450,000 Oxford City Council scheme, which is improving 21 public toilets.

Instead of two large rooms for men and women, each with two cubicles or urinals, there are now three individual rooms, for men, women and disabled users.

There is also a new storage area behind the toilets which stores cleaning and maintenance equipment.

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A council report said: “The principle of providing a service area behind the cubicles will be maintained to allow for the cisterns to be concealed.

“The objectives are to redesign the current facilities to provide a fully accessible disabled persons toilet facility as well as easily maintainable toilets which are safe and remove any possibility of rough sleeping and vandalism.”

The cubicles have been given new tiling and have modern, hygienic toilets and automatic hand cleansing facilities.

Cllr John Tanner, board member for a Cleaner, Greener Oxford, opened the toilets. He said: “I’m thrilled to be opening this revamped public toilet in Blackbird Leys.

“The city council is improving all the public loos in the city, one by one, because Oxford’s people deserve the very best.

“Blackbird Leys is an important Oxford suburb and needs a smart toilet by the shops which is clean and a pleasure to use.’’ Kestrel Crescent resident Liz Helliwell said: “They’re spanking clean now, but how long will they stay that way?”

Rob Pritchard, a worker for Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution who comes to meet Blackbird Leys residents every Wednesday, said: “Public toilets are closing all over the country, so it’s good there are still some here.”

In 2009, Oxford City Council voted to close seven public loos, including the Knights Road toilet, to save £50,000 a year.

But, following a windfall of more than £2.2m from the Government to help offset the concessionary bus fares bill, council leaders decided to revamp them instead.

The Blackbird Leys Community Centre, in Blackbird Leys Road, also has toilets that are available for the public. The Knights Road toilets are open from 9am to 5pm and are locked by city council staff overnight.

The toilets will be checked twice a day to make sure they stay clean and safe.

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