I WRITE in reference to the article (Oxford Mail, July 12, Big Issue) when John Tanner claims there are 33 toilets open to the public.

He said this includes some shops and public houses in the city centre area, 24 of which he claims are operated by Oxford City Council . I, and I’m sure many other readers, would like to know where they are.

I worked for 19 years for Oxford City Council as a lorry driver on the cleansing department, which covered street and trade refuse, road sweeping and most important of all, the toilets throughout the whole of the city. These were serviced twice a day by a man and women who went around in a van with all the necessary equipment and reported back any problems found.

I cannot remember there ever being as many toilets as he quoted and since then many have closed and some even razed to the ground, so where did he pluck these figures from.

Apart from Gloucester Green being open all the time – and that seems to be the main talking point at the moment – where are the others that are open after 5pm or 6pm in the evenings in the city centre?

The answer is none. As a consequence, late in the evenings people use the Castle Street subway, doorways and alleyways around the area to urinate. If Mr Tanner was to visit Oxford city centre late any evening he would see for himself, or at least smell where it takes place.

The main bus stops for people to return from the city are St Aldate’s (no toilets), Castle Street (no toilets), Magdalen Street (no toilets) and High Street (no toilets). When is the £420,000 claimed to be available for revamps going to be put to use, because this is the busy time in Oxford with tourists and students.

At this year’s “Loo of the Year” awards, Oxford came 14th. I’m given to understand only 14 councils entered.

COLIN SMITH George Moore Close Donnington Oxford