Sir – In the summer we responded by letter to Oxford City Council’s public request for views on their Public Conveniences Review as part of their consultation exercise.

We were very disappointed, therefore, to hear that the city executive board, when deliberating on the issue at its October meeting, ignored the various representations and complaints and confirmed its closure programme.

However, this disappointment turned to shock when we could find no evidence that any of the concerns raised by numerous organisations and individuals, who had taken the trouble to write letters, had been properly reported to the executive board.

This means that board members were improperly informed before they made their decision and, surely, not only is this likely to be a breach in the council’s standing orders but, also, it makes a mockery of public consultation. Such a decision completely undermines all of the good work that the city council, in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, has started in the city centre to improve the streetscene and for resident and visitor alike.

Clearly, with the number of travelling public visiting the Gloucester Green toilets, it is right that they should be upgraded but few will demand luxury ones. What most people would expect is good quality and well-maintained facilities, which are robust enough to cope with the high level of demand. A detached house with four en-suites may cost £300,000 but toilets at Gloucester Green should not.

What is important is that there is a sufficient network of clean toilets across the city and the proposed closures are unacceptable. We ask Oxford City Council to think again, and urgently.

Graham Jones, For Rescue Oxford