Sir – The decision by Oxford City Council not to consider re-opening the St Giles public conveniences on health and safety grounds is ludicrous.

Oxford already has a shortage of such facilities and the council has a duty to provide for this need, especially considering the vast number of tourists who visit the city.

I gather that the idea of using facilities in retail outlets has been put forward by councillors, but as I understand it, some shops are demanding a receipt of purchase before giving the entry code to their in-store customer toilets.

It seems to me that Oxford City Council is shooting itself in the foot. Not only are public toilets becoming a rare commodity but car parking charges are astronomical. One solution may be for male visitors (and locals) to copy the gentleman in the Canaletto painting of a civic building in London and urinate against the walls of the City Hall. It’s just as well that Morrells brewery has closed down because the city council certainly would be unable to organise a party there.

Clive Hallett, Wheatley