26/05/2005

British public toilets branded a ‘national disgrace’

Britain’s public toilets shame the nation, according to new research from the National Consumer Council (NCC).

The survey found that people want more of them, but they should be cleaner, and with better facilities for women, parents and children. Almost all of the people 2,000 people surveyed want their local council to make sure public toilets reach a high standard. The NCC is now calling on government to make this happen.

Philip Callum, Deputy Chief Executive at the NCC, said: “All around the country, people enjoying their bank holiday weekend will find public toilets closed or in an appalling state. This has a particular impact on older and disabled people and those with young families. The dramatic decline of this most basic public service has to be reversed. We want to see local councils taking charge, whether by providing more public toilets themselves or coming up with creative approaches that will persuade others to do so.”

Two-thirds say that are public toilets are a ‘national disgrace’. The worst performer is Yorkshire and Humberside, where just one in five people is satisfied with provision in their area.

The NCC is also calling for free toilets in stations, shopping centres, busy high streets and play areas.

(CD/SP)

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