Lock-up being used as 'loo'

Published on 26th April 2007 in News

Concerns were this week expressed about the 'terrible' and 'disgusting' state of the Town lock-up in Buttermarket, Snaith.

At a meeting on Monday,Snaith and Cowick town councillors heard that the rear of the town lock-up was in a 'terrible state,' as the area was being misused as a toilet and there was litter in the area. The set of steps behind the lock-up were said to be in a particularly bad state because of the way the area was being misused.

Town Clerk Cath Hird said: "This is a Grade Two listed building and we are having to deal with this kind of problem. It is disgusting."

Cllr Philip Megson suggested that East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) be contacted for advice on how to clear the current problem. Cllr Richard Bridge added that a fence could be put in place to prevent people from misusing the area in future.

Trouble first struck the lock-up in November last year, when a car ploughed into the building, which was once used as the town cells. It has been in urgent need of restoration ever since.

It was estimated that several thousand pounds of damage was caused to the roof of the brick-built property, as the roof was damaged and the lock-up was hit with such a force that it moved the building, leaving the door jammed.

In a bid to stop such an accident happening again, town councillors are exploring a range of solutions and discussed on Monday the possibility of implementing a north-bound one-way system along the road.

Town Mayor Greta Laughton said: "If there was a one-way system in place, a car couldn't run into the back of the lock-up because it wouldn't be able to do so in the direction it was coming from. That way, the building would be protected in the future."

ERYC has advised that town councillors will need to consult with all affected residents and have written proof that at least 80 per cent are in favour before a one-way system can be considered.