Ref. 73005-24Residents of Cavendish Square are fighting to reopen a block of toilets despite fears druggies could use them.

More than 80 people signed a petition in just two hours calling for reinstatement of the Ladies' and Gentlemen's.

Graham Bowles, 49, who is heading the campaign with his wife, Olive, 56, said if the council employed a caretaker to guard the site, drug users and vandals would be kept away.

"I want a speedy resolution to this," said Mr Bowles, of Studland Close.

"Shoppers have got to be able to go somewhere. There used to be two toilet blocks here but now are is none.

"I remember going into the gents last year and they had been ripped out by vandals.

"How would these people feel if someone went into their homes and did the same thing?

"I sympathise with the council because I know it will cost money to employ a caretaker but some-thing has got to be done."

The campaign comes after reports of people injecting drugs in the disabled toilet the only public loo in the area. Residents got their beat officer, Andrena Rhodes, to change the locks to curb the damage and danger caused by abandoned drug paraphernalia.

Last week the Adver revealed how public toilets in Victoria Road, Old Town, were suffering similar abuse from junkies.

And Swindon Council admitted that it was a problem throughout public toilets in the borough.

Mr Bowles is pleased his wife, who has had problems with her hips, can use the disabled toilet in safety again.

He said: "I know Cavendish is being revamped in two years or so but are we meant to be without the use of toilets until then?"

Developer Leehampton has been picked to breathe new life into the square.

Last month the council's cabinet plumped for the deal which is believed to be worth about £8 million.

The plan includes the building of 170 homes and a supermarket.

A council spokesman said: "Swindon Services are shortly going to be conducting a feasibility study on the costs involving reinstating and opening the public toilets at Cavendish Square.

"Once this study has been completed, a final decision will be made on the future of the toilets."

Ben Payne