Ventnor’s No.31 community bus service will continue and public toilets in the town have been given a revamp, mayor Steve Cooper has announced to residents.
The councillor said the public transport contract had been renewed at the start of April and that lavatories by the seafront and in the park have been redecorated, in a public address at St Catherine’s Church on Friday (22nd May 2026).
He said there has ‘quite rightly’ been some concern over the condition of the restroom facilities which are managed by Ventnor Town Council (VTC).
Previously reported problems have included a leaking roof, vandalism as well as ‘unsightly’ and ‘stained’ handwash unit sinks.
Bus service switches to Thursdays
Mayor Cooper said,
“We renewed the community bus service with the current contractor on 1st April of this year.
“The service has switched from Saturdays to Thursdays for sensible logistic reasons and requests.”
To understand how vital the No.31 bus service is to many older or infirm residents, read OnTheWight’s article from 2021.
Toilet concerns acknowledged by council
He went on to say,
“There has been some, quite rightly, concerns about the public toilets and their condition. I’m happy to announce that they have had a redecoration down on the seafront and the toilets in the park have also been redecorated.
“The seafront toilets are soon to have a new urinal system and to become fully operational and we will be taking some long-term decisions come September, October on what we’re going to do with the roof.”
Roof decision deferred until autumn
Councillor Cooper said the reason the council is not addressing the roof concerns at present is that from a logistical point of view, it is best to deal with it in the autumn.
What VTC does not want is the toilets being closed during the summer period, the councillor added.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
