I was annoyed to read of the proposal for a 'superloo' in Devizes. At a time when the standards of many public services are poor, I believe there are other areas calling for a more urgent priority.

Having said that, I do commend the officers involved upon their zeal and energy.

Your first report stated that on average, 900 callers visited each of the four conveniences daily. Four toilets x 900 = 3,600 callers. This number of people visiting one toilet in one day must create a level of inconvenience because surges will occur. There will almost certainly be queuing and congestion.

If it is a matter of taking enough money to pay for the operation, then there are many issues to be considered.

Attendants will have to be vetted, trained and hold the necessary qualifications. Individual continual improvement training plans must be arranged. A Health and safety assessment, probably demanding first aiders must be made. Opening hours will need to be fairly lengthy and the EU Working Time Directive will require shift working. Records will have to be made and kept. There may be more but with the direct costs of staff in the toilets to which must be added administration, accounting, regulatory demands, training, maintenance, transport, materials and overheads, it looks as though the cost of spending a penny will be expensive.

Might it not be more practical and less expensive to refurbish the present conveniences?

J SMALLSHAW

Seend