PROBLEMS with building a new public toilet block in the centre of York have flushed out a £24,000 overspend.

Contractual difficulties and structural issues mean the price of the Silver Street project has cost City of York Council thousands of pounds more than originally expected.

The price tag for the disabled-friendly toilet block next to Newgate Market has been analysed by councillors who have assessed the space’s effectiveness as well as seeing if it could be branched out into further use.

No decision has been reached on the future of the Parliament Street “Splash Palace” – which previously housed the public toilets A report which will go before City of York Council next month has outlined the Silver Street situation, saying the overspend on the scheme – which was originally forecast to cost £300,000 – “has now topped £24,000”.

A council spokeswoman added: “The public toilets in Parliament Street are now closed, but the building is still providing services and support to the operation of the visiting markets and activities in Parliament Street.

“Consideration is being given to both the short and long-term development of the site. Any solution will need to maintain or re-provide these services currently provided by the building. Demolition is therefore not imminent.”

She added: “The overspend [regarding the Silver Street toilet block] is due to unforeseen problems below ground, partly to do with drainage and partly the underpinning.”

The Parliament Street site, which opened in 1992, has previously been suggested as a potential location for artists to perform. It has been regarded as an eyesore for many years and has been blighted by vandalism.