Twenty One Pennies

In the Swansea Council cabinet meeting on 29 October, it was proposed to charge 20p to take a leak at the new Quadrant bus station.

But this looks like the start of a plan to introduce charging for all the toilets across the city. From the council minutes it should be noted :

To agree the principle of the introduction of charging for use of the Council’s other public conveniences subject to further reports being made to Cabinet prior to any actual charges being imposed.

As the parent of young children I know that when they say the words "I need a wee", then you have less than 30 seconds to find a toilet. You instantly go into "Bog-hunter mode" and have a quick glance around searching for the nearest location that may have a toilet.
Where am I ?
Where's the nearest public toilet?
Are there any pubs, shops, or cafe's nearby?
All while the little one is starting to dance now and doing the crotch clutching thing. "Hurry up Dad, I'm busting" as you dash off dragging your child behind you.

And now to add to the problem I have to ensure I have a 20p piece on me at all times.
Bad idea Swansea council. I've been in the problem situation of searching for 20p for a leak at Laugharne and at Tenby. The reason they have the 20p charge? So they can do away with the toilet attendant.

Swansea has picked up a few awards for their toilets over the years, including the Quadrant toilet. In fact all the MANNED city centre toilets have picked up awards over the last few years. The toilets next to The Crosse Keys pub are a good example. They are clean, looked after, up to date, and with no seedy characters hanging around.

To me it all seems a cost cutting exercise. Remove the costs of a toilet attendant, get people to pay 20p to have a piss and maybe make a profit from it.