We are disappointed to report that Nexus informs us they have no plans to reopen the public toilets at Gateshead Interchange.
We have written the following letter to Mark Ferguson, MP for Gateshead Central and Whickham, to highlight the issue.
Dear Mark Ferguson,
Over the last year we have raised concerns at Gateshead Council’s Bus Board (of which Nexus attends), in regards to the closed public toilets at Gateshead Interchange.
The toilets were closed earlier in the year due to anti social behaviour/vandalism, and remain shut with no sign of reopening.
Public transport users have contacted us expressing concern and explaining the inconvenience this causes them, especially to those elderly, with disabilities or medical conditions.
Some passengers have to miss their next available connection at Gateshead Interchange due to having to exit the interchange to seek toilets at either Trinity Square, Tesco or Wetherspoons, depending on the time of day.
We contacted Nexus again last week requesting an update, and their Head of Customer Service Operations advised:
“At this stage there are no plans to reopen the public toilets at Gateshead Interchange. This is due to the costs for their refurbishment, due to the repeated vandalism while they were operational“.
This is most disappointing, especially for one of the largest and busiest bus and Metro interchanges in our region.
At the very least there should be an operational disabled toilet, accessible with a Radar Key.
We recently read that following Lewis Atkinson MP’s intervention in Sunderland, their station toilets are now back open and operational, with additional security patrols in place amongst other improvements.
We wondered if you were aware of the situation at Gateshead Interchange, and if you are able to help raise concern further, please?
Kind Regards,
Gateshead branch of North East Public Transport Users Group.
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