A GIANT poo joined a protest on Saturday over plans to close public toilets and cut street cleaning teams in Cambridge city centre. 

Council staff and members of Unison were joined by one of the “Cambridge turds” ahead of a debate over the “plain potty” proposals at a full council meeting tonight.

The union said its members will raise their concerns at the meeting, warning councillors about the problems disabled residents will face if toilets are closed.

Unison Cambridge City branch secretary Liz Brennan said: “Shutting down public toilets at the same time you’re slashing street cleaning is just plain potty.

“It’s bound to make the city dirtier as people just use our streets and alleyways to relieve themselves.

“These closure will also make women, older people and disabled residents and visitors think twice about venturing into the city centre. Many will feel like they have to spend money in cafes or shops to use their toilets and simply decide they can’t afford to go out.

“Cambridge councillors should spend a penny to keep our toilets open and our streets clean.”

The authority currently operates 14 public toilets, eight of which are in central Cambridge, with the rest scattered across the city.

Cambridge City Council recently announced plans to close toilets on Victoria Avenue (Midsummer Common), Gonville Place and Quayside among other savings measures in its 2025/26 budget.

This is despite a council consultation finding that three-fifths of residents oppose the plans.

A council spokesperson said “difficult decisions” in the budget proposals were shaped by resident feedback and explained that if only proposals with widespread support went forward, they would not make enough savings.