Temporary public toilets are being tested in Ely’s Country Park to determine whether it is worth East Cambridgeshire District Council spending a penny or two on permanent facilities.

Three portable units (male, female and baby changing/disabled) have been located in the park for the summer holidays after public consultation said toilets were the number one priority for the park.

The toilets, which will be cleaned and stocked daily by an external cleaning company and will be open between 8am and 6pm, are covered by a new CCTV system which also covers the play and picnic areas.

Councillor Richard Hobbs, chairman of the commercial services committee, said: “Since the installation of the new play and picnic equipment in May 2015, the Country Park has seen a huge increase in visitor numbers, especially families with children.

“Rather than force the users of the park to run to a bush or to the toilets along Ely riverside, we have listened to feedback and installed three toilets on a trial period. We hope the new toilets will encourage even more people to visit the area.”

The trial forms part of the Ely Country Park Improvement Plan 2015-17 which was developed following user feedback. The improvement plan will also focus on access improvements and seating provision.