North Yorkshire Approves Major Upgrade for Public Toilets

The Whitby Town Council has announced a significant upgrade to public toilet facilities in the town. This improvement focuses on replacing outdated contactless payment units at two locations: Market Place and Abbey public conveniences.
Upgrade of Contactless Payment Units
The council is set to invest £1,653.78 plus VAT for the installation of new 4G-enabled payment units. The current systems, operating on 2G and 3G networks, are becoming obsolete as the UK government has planned to phase out these older technologies.
Details of the Replacement
The touchscreen payment units provided by Danfo (UK) Ltd will ensure that residents and visitors can easily utilize these facilities. This decision was made during a council meeting where members reviewed a report on the necessary upgrades.
- Location of Upgrades:
- Market Place
- Abbey Public Conveniences
- Cost: £1,653.78 (+VAT)
- Provider: Danfo (UK) Ltd
Context of the Upgrade
The existing payment systems rely on 2G and 3G networks, which were introduced in early 2000s. As technology progresses, these networks have largely been replaced by 4G and 5G services, offering better performance and reliability.
In a related decision this March, councillors also approved funding of £4,096.00 for Engineering Installations Teesside Ltd to conduct Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) across six public toilets. This ensures all facilities are safe and functional moving forward.
Conclusion
The move to upgrade contactless payment units in Whitby reflects the council’s commitment to providing modern and accessible public amenities. With these enhancements, visitors can enjoy improved convenience while visiting the town.




