After Portsmouth Labour supported local residents and activists campaigning to reinstate toilets at Kingston Rec, today the council announced they would be building new toilets and a cafe at the Fratton park.

We spent the summer campaigning with local resident and Labour campaigner Nikki Coles collecting 1000s of signatures at local events including Victorious, Portsmouth Pride and the Fratton Big Local. It was clear that residents wanted to see toilets at this popular family park.

Nikki welcomed the announcement from the council saying;

“I’m delighted that these toilets have been given the green light by the council. After months and months of campaigning and gathering local residents’ signatures on my petition, its great news that people powered action has made the elected administration act”.

Back at the beginning of May Fratton Big Local unveiled the latest transformation to Kingston Rec. Following its extensive consultation with local people, new additions like a double zip wire and a water play area were added. The transformation was made possible though local grants ensuring the £300,000 met local demands.

Fratton Cllr Tom Coles cautiously welcomed the news adding;

“This is fantastic news! I was happy to support this campaign and I’m so happy that the council have listened to our calls to rebuild the toilets. However let’s not forget it was the Lib Dems that first closed these toilets back when they were last in power. They have a habit of over promising and under delivering. With more than £4 million of cuts to local services to come in the next council budget, I’m hoping this isn’t another Lib Dem promise that doesn’t materialise”.

After Fratton Big Local added the new play areas it was clear that the Rec needed these toilets so that it can be used by as many local families as possible, without the worry of having to walk just over a mile to the nearest public toilet.

Local Labour campaigner Trevor Morgan added;

“After speaking to 100s of you on the doorstep and even more at community events across the summer I knew there was a real appetite for this by local residents. I want to say a massive thank you and well done to Nikki Coles for making the council listen and standing up for our city families”.

The petition and campaign also had the support of city MP Stephen Morgan who was born and grew up in Fratton. On behalf of Portsmouth Labour, thank you to the many 1000s of you that signed our petition over the summer! It just goes to show that people action works.