Lifting the lid on public toilets

The British Toilet Association is campaigning against the closure of public loos and wants to raise awareness of what it could mean for local communities.

Gillian Kemp, from the Association, said: “The lack of public toilets ignores a basic human requirement. When public toilets close down there are many health issues that can arise which affect a large proportion of the population.

“ If we are to embrace the Government’s idea of an all-inclusive Big Society, public toilets are a necessary requirement for our future health.”

A report by the Association concludes that there should be more public toilets not less and that closing them could impact on health and lifestyle.

Gillian Kemp said: “Closing public toilets is not the healthy way forward. Public toilet provision should be the norm - not an afterthought.”

The Association points out that a lack of public conveniences would have a negative effect on older and disabled people and pregnant woman. But they also say it could potentially damage tourism and lead to town’s getting bad reputations and a decline in visitors.