20-05-2025
Powys communities improve public toilets with £40,000
Two Powys communities have benefitted from £40,000 of funding from the Welsh Government towards new public toilet facilities.
Berriew and Crickhowell have revamped the public toilets via funding secured by Powys County Council from the Welsh Government, with Berriew receiving £22,500 towards improving the 50-year-old toilets in the centre of the village and Crickhowell getting £18,000 towards a revamp of the toilets at the Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre.
The funding was secured by the council's economy and climate service to cover 80 per cent of the project costs, while the improvements were managed by by Crickhowell Town Council and Berriew Community Council.
Councillor James Gibson-Watt, Powys County Council's cabinet member for a more prosperous Powys, said: 'It's great that visitors to Crickhowell and Berriew now have access to better toilet facilities.
'I hope more people will now be encouraged to stop off and see what both places have to offer and spend more than just a penny.'
Crickhowell Town Council used its funding, along with a Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Sustainable Development Fund grant, to install new water-saving toilets, waterless urinals, 8kWp PV solar panels and battery, and low energy light fittings.
Crickhowell town councillor Tony D'Anna said: 'This project took over six months to complete, but the hard work will pay off in the end. The town council and CRiC should save £5,000 per year on the operating costs for the toilets – currently more than £23,000 – and we will reduce our carbon footprint by over one tonne.
'Its success will be down to terrific partnership work with Powys County Council's tourism team, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and CRiC staff.'
Berriew Community Council used its funding, along with a National Lottery Awards for All grant, to create two modern public toilet compartments, accessible to all, including those in wheelchairs and families needing baby change facilities.
Councillor Phil Bettley, chair of Berriew Community Council added: 'This major refurbishment was long overdue and entailed us buying the freehold from the landlord for £1 to secure the facilities into the future.
"We now have two modern, self-contained, private spaces with hygienic facilities which are frequented regularly by locals, tourists and those passing by.
'This couldn't have achieved without the Brilliant Basics grant and the National Lottery, Awards for All, scheme and we are very grateful to both bodies for their tremendous support.'
