Finally – Welshpool public toilets are back open!

The costly and lengthy work to transform the Tourist Information Centre into a more multi-use facility is almost done, with the toilets back open and proving popular.

The issue has hogged the headlines over the past year after it was revealed that the initial budget of around £100,000 had doubled towards £200,000.

It has also run nearly a year late with the initial plan that it would be completed in time for last Christmas.

The project was warmly backed at the start by Welshpool Town Council who have relocated their offices to the building to make an annual saving on the rental of Triangle House.

But problems started to become public as councillors called for closer scrutiny of the project costs and timetable for delivery.

The resulting row has resulted in a new Town Council project management sub-committee being created to scrutinise and oversee future large projects.

And, while the news of the toilets now finally being opened was warmly received at the latest Services and Property Committee meeting, there was an update that the job wasn’t quite finished yet.

Temporary Town Clerk Vanessa Voysey explained that work was needed to clear moss off the roof and to carry out repairs so that grants for solar panels can be applied for.

After a lengthy debate, with resistance from several councillors aired, it was eventually approved at a cost of £3,600.