Contractors ‘fined’ after failing to meet new Teignmouth toilets deadline

Contractors appointed to install five new toilet blocks in Teignmouth are facing financial penalties of £3,250 per week after missing completion dates agreed with the Town Council.

Public building specialists Healthmatic were given the £1.25 million contract for improved facilities at East Cliff, Lower Brook Street, The Point, Quay Road and The Den, on the understanding that the first phase would be open by August 2025.

But targets have been missed and so the firm is obliged to pay £650 per week on each of the sites it fails to complete on time.

An initial revised programme offered by the Wiltshire-based company was rejected by the Town Council and branded ‘unacceptable’ so now a fresh set of dates has been agreed that should see the first toilets at East Cliff open by November 24 with The Den following shortly afterwards.

The remaining three are now expected to be completed early in 2026.

Mayor Cllr Cate Williams is not happy with the lack of progress but hopeful that a good result is still on the horizon.

‘Replacing these five toilet blocks with modern, clean and safe facilities is a flagship project for Teignmouth Town Council and one we asked residents to support through their Council Tax bills,’ she said.

‘I am disappointed for all of us that Heathmatic has failed to meet the original dates but our Town Clerk will continue to apply pressure and impose the financial penalties we have at our disposal.

‘We must not forget though that even if this project is delayed, Teignmouth Town Council and its residents are investing in fantastic new public facilities at a time when many communities are at risk of losing theirs altogether.

‘We have to face the fact that senior authorities such as Teignbridge and Devon are withdrawing from many of their previous commitments to the community and cutting the services they offer.

‘Indeed, they are likely to not even exist in a few years’ time.

‘So our new toilets might be late coming but we’re laying the foundations for a time when Teignmouth takes more control of its own and that’s to be welcomed.’

Healthmatic is due to start work at East Cliff and The Den this week.