Memorandum by the Older and Wiser Merton
Seniors' Forum
Public Toilet provision should be seen as a
basic Human Right. Provision of public toilet facilities is vital
for community harmony and cohesion, essential for comfort, hygiene
and a sense of wellbeing to all. However, to older people, lack
of, or poor access to toilet facilities can lead to difficulties
in venturing out. This reduces personal freedom and dignity. To
many, social exclusion becomes a reality.
Toilet provision is not just essential in town
centres but also in recreational areas such as parks, open spaces
and allotments. The use of such areas is of course vital to the
wider health agenda.
Local authorities should have ring fenced financial
resources from Central Government to provide public toilets, particularly
in main town centres and tourist areas. Provision by the local
authority would give a sense of ownership and responsibility to
the community and the upkeep of these facilities a matter of pride
and concern. Public toilet provision should be obligatory in any
town centre regeneration, park re-planning and major bus, rail
or underground redevelopment. Adequate toilet provision encourages
people into town centres and to tourist attractions. People use
business and services within those areas, perhaps a small levy
paid by businesses to local authorities could be investigated
as they are the beneficiaries of this increased trade.
Sponsored toilet provision (as with roundabouts)
as a means of advertising could be discussed with local businesses.
"Spend a penny" has become part of
our language, the majority of people would be willing to pay 20p-50p
for the use of a clean, well maintained toilet, if provided by
the local authority.
Dialogue with local community, residents groups
would perhaps be the best way of deciding opening hours. Town
centre provision would need longer opening hours than in parks
etc.
Public toilets should be accessible to all,
wheelchairs, walking frames and push chairs must be accommodated.
Disabled toilets should be made available to
a much wider range of people.
Information on Radar keys should be readily
available in GP surgeries, hospitals, pharmacies, libraries, local
authorities and voluntary organisations.
In the short term, Local Authority Environmental
Departments should map all toilet provision, this to be available
to all but particularly in the first instance to those entitled
to a Radar key.
Security of public toilets should be multi faceted.
Main town centre toilets should perhaps be staffed with evidence
that police and community support officers are on ready call.
There could be limited use of CCTV. Use of extremely sturdy equipment
(refer to Continental toilet provision) should be used. Use of
new technologies and CCTV could be of value in un-staffed facilities.
Fully automated toilets, mush used in other countries could provide
provision more readily than purpose built toilet blocks.
There needs to be investment into research and
development of vandal proof/longlife/user friendly/affordable/toilet
provision. This would encourage commercial interest.
Society has moved on considerably and is used
to unisex provision in a number of services, (eg hairdressers)
and more so in the leisure industry (mixed changing rooms). This
should be encouraged in toilet provision, shared provision is
the accepted form in the home. This would serve to alleviate queuing
experienced by women, the need of men to use other than a urinal,
this could also have a "softening" effect and reduce
both the perception and reality of toilets being used for both
drug and sex offences. However, the use of the French idea of
"pissoirs" as an added service should not be discounted.
All businesses including banks and building
societies should be encouraged to offer toilet provision. Adequate
toilet provision would encourage people into town centres and
this must increase business opportunities and profits. Toilet
provision should be available as "goodwill" and without
need of purchase. However, small businesses may need to levy a
small charge for toilet upkeep and cleanliness.
This should be seen as a major Partnership issue
between local government and local business. A local award system
(best loo) highlighted in the local press, local government, media
etc could add to prestige and profitability of local businesses.
There has to be pressure on local businesses to recognize that
they have responsibilities to the community from whom they get
their custom. It should be an accepted part of any planning permission
given by local government to commercial enterprises that have
visiting customers. Building contractors, road maintenance contractors
and transport providers should be obliged to provide adequate
portable toilets to their staff.
Areas that are of general tourist interest or
host occasional tourist attractions eg sporting events, flower
shows, see large numbers of extra people. These visitors generate
extra trade adding greatly to the local economy. This bonus to
local business should be recognised and some of this regenerated
into the community for both toilet provision and the general enhancement
of the area. Large numbers of extra people in an area should not
be to the detriment of the health and environment of the host
community. Promoters of "Events" should be obliged to
provide portable toilets in an area around the venue, particularly
along the routes to transport points. Local inhabitants should
not suffer detrimental effects to their environment. Tourism is
a major economic factor in this country, those who gain financially,
including transport providers should be obliged to add to the
facilities that are of vital importance to the general ambience
and health of the country.
Public toilet provision should certainly be
the long lasting legacy to London from the 2012 Olympics.
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