A visitor to Powys has been left frustrated after discovering an accessible public toilet was locked, while travelling with a disabled relative.

Mary Sinclair, 77, had parked up in Builth Wells on Sunday, but found herself unable to gain entry to the disabled toilet in the Groe Car Park.

Ms Sinclair was travelling with her 92-year-old cousin and her 69-year-old son, who is wheelchair-bound. Despite both Ms Sinclair and local residents trying their RADAR keys on the door, they were unable to gain entry.

“We were disappointed that the RADAR toilet in the Builth Wells car park was bolted and locked against use on Sunday,” said Ms Sinclair.

“Some Powys residents also tried to use it with their RADAR key and failed to gain entry. The facility was definitely bolted and locked against use.”

A RADAR Key (sometimes called an NKS Key) is a large, silver-coloured skeleton key that opens more than 10,000 locked, disabled toilets in the UK. The key is part of the National Key Scheme (NKS), giving thousands of people with disabilities and health conditions independent access to locked public toilets around the country. The Radar Key Scheme enables these disabled toilets to be locked to prevent vandalism and misuse, while also being readily available to those who really need them.

After unsuccessful attempts to access the toilet, Ms Sinclair was advised by car park attendants of the next nearest disabled toilet.

“The car park attendants kindly pointed out that there was another disabled toilet up a steepish road nearer to the town centre, but because of the heat we felt unable to push the wheelchair that far,” explained Ms Sinclair.

Ms Sinclair, who is from Pembrokeshire, praised the location of the car park and its facilities but added that the disabled toilet should always be available for use.

“Carers do a magnificent job caring for the disabled. In this case my 92-year-old cousin cares for her wheelchair-bound son, following a stroke. They need facilities to be readily available,” she said.

“I don’t know why this facility was shut, but I thank you for it and ask that it be kept available for key holders at all times.”

A spokesperson for Powys County Council told the Brecon & Radnor Express: “Although the public toilets at the Groe car park in Builth Wells are owned by Builth Wells Town Council, the county council agreed to hire the toilets for the week as part of the safety measures during Royal Welsh Show week.

“However, it was agreed between the town council and county council that these toilets were locked before we took them over on the Saturday before Royal Welsh Show. This was due to a history of damage and people using the disabled and shower facilities inappropriately.

“Alternative facilities including a disabled toilet were available at the Strand Hall, approximately 250 metres from the public toilets at the Groe car park. The toilets at the Strand remain opening 24 hours a day during Royal Welsh Show week as there is a presence in the building by one of the council’s partners.”