Work is complete on a very special public toilet refurbishment at one of the county’s tourism hotspots. 
 

The improvements at Low Newton are part of a wider £1.35m three-year programme of works to improve the standard of all 54 public toilets in the county which the council has responsibility for. 
 

In Low Newton the facilities also include a beach wheelchair storage area funded by local donations, that will support improved accessibility to the local area. 

 
The works are all part of a major capital investment programme to improve the standards of public toilets for residents and visitors, with facilities in the larger main towns and key tourism destinations getting a programme of full refurbishment and modernisation.    
  

All remaining county council toilets will undergo essential refurbishment, so facilities are brought up to a decent standard of repair and are easier to keep clean and maintain.  
  

Around £920,000 has been allocated to improving facilities in the main towns and key tourism destinations, with work including backlog maintenance, replacement of old equipment where required and in some cases new cubicles and internal walls.    
  

A further £500,000 is being spent on backlog maintenance and essential updates on all remaining facilities, while £50,000 will go towards accessibility improvements in all toilets to make them more user friendly for dementia sufferers and people with low vision.  
 

Councillor John Riddle, Cabinet Member for Local Services, said: “It’s great to have the toilet refurbishment programme well underway and the Low Newton facilities now complete. 
 

“At a time when many councils are closing toilets we are investing in them as we recognise that they are essential for our own residents as well as visitors. 
 

 “We want everyone to have access to top quality facilities, and these refurbishments will ensure people have access to modern, improved and clean toilets throughout the county.” 
 

County Councillor Wendy Pattison, local member for Newton by the Sea said: “I’m delighted the County Council has been able to assist during the refurbishment of the public toilets and facilitated the housing for a beach wheelchair at Newton by the Sea.  
 

“This wheelchair will allow local people and visitors to be able to get across across sand, shells and mud in comfort and safety.” 

 

Cllr John Roper from Newton by the Sea Parish Council, said: “This beach wheelchair unit will be a wonderful facility for both locals and visitors alike.  
 

“I am particularly delighted how very quickly the project was completed through very close collaboration between the Parish Council, County Council, Beach Access NE (BANE) and the two amazingly generous sponsors Rob Racenis and Katie Steele." 
 

The chair was donated by Rob Racenis in memory of his wife Jill who loved this special coastline.  
 

He said: “I’m proud to be part of this scheme and Jill would have been thrilled that her name would be linked to helping others to experience the nature, the beauty, the sounds and smells she loved so much. We came here for years and when I lost Jill last year and I was asked if I might be interested in this scheme, it was a no brainer. So, this is for Jill and all the other people I hope will use it.”  
 

Funding for the beach store was provided by Katie Steele and her family in memory of her husband Professor Jimmy Steele who loved the wildlife of the Northumberland coast. They have also funded a hut at Bamburgh.  
 

“I saw an appeal for funding for the hut at Bamburgh in the news and it struck a chord with me. 
 

“I used to be a doctor who looked after people with muscular dystrophy and related conditions and I knew how difficult it was for people with reduced mobility to get on to the sand.  
 

“My husband Jimmy, who had died just a couple of years ago, was a passionate lover of the Northumberland coastline and he would have loved the thought that he could help people get out and enjoy the seaside and the wonders of nature.”