‘Public toilets should be open during daylight hours in larger parks and green spaces’

The provision of good quality toilet facilities, conveniently located and accessible to the public, is an important equalities issues but their provision may be sidelined in the struggle to provide services within tight budgetary constraints.

The Public Toilets Equalities Network, an alliance of voluntary sector organisations and academics from the greater Bristol area, is determined to keep the issue high on the agenda.

Our aim is to develop a working partnership between voluntary sector bodies, relevant local authorities, public sector bodies and business organisations.

Public toilets are important for all of us at different ages and stages of our lives, including: babies requiring a nappy change, toddlers who are ‘toilet training’; children with continence conditions; menstruating girls and women; disabled people and those who care for them; women who are pregnant or at the menopause; men who need to dispose of pads or other hygiene waste items; mobile workers including delivery drivers, taxi drivers, bus drivers, and police officers; people with a range of health conditions; older people; homeless people; tourists and visitors.

Given the importance of the issue, and the need for a comprehensive response, the Public Toilets Equalities Network has developed a series of actions for discussion with our local authorities, the West of England Combined Authority, and the business community.

We believe that a wide range of organisations can contribute relevant skills, time and resources.

The Public Toilets Equalities Network believe that public toilets should be open during daylight hours in larger parks and green spaces – photo: Adam Postans

Improving the Community Toilet Scheme by helping to monitor and promote: signs prominently displayed in the windows of participating businesses and organisations; clear information that the toilets are free for the public with no obligation to make a purchase; accuracy of the published list of community toilet facilities including locations, opening hours and facilities available; staff awareness in participating premises, and; public awareness that the scheme exists and how it operates.

The development of local toilet maps: researched by local people; available on community websites; paper copies distributed through GP surgeries, libraries, community organisations and participating cafes and pubs, and; paid for through small grants, Business Improvement District funds, or local businesses and organisations.

Action relating to accessible toilet provision in the emerging Local Plans, including: publicly accessible toilet facilities in all major developments and regeneration schemes, and: a full Equalities Impact Assessment, including public toilet requirements, as part of any new regeneration scheme.

Working towards full accessibility for disabled people, including: access free of charge by RADAR key; Changing Places Toilets, with more space and the right equipment, to be available at key sites across the city; ‘Talking toilets’ for blind and visually impaired people; dementia-friendly toilet facilities; provision of bins in toilets for men who need to dispose of pads and other hygiene waste items, and; the widespread promotion of ‘Can’t Wait’ toilet cards for use in premises that may not be part of the community toilet scheme.

We believe that public toilets should be open during daylight hours in larger parks and green spaces; and that models should be explored, including planning conditions and financial incentives, which combine public toilet facilities with other services such as cafes and information centres.

Public toilet facilities should also be available at transport hubs and interchanges or, where this is not feasible, clear signage should indicate a nearby community toilet facility.

A proper assessment of the costs and benefits of public toilet provision is needed, including: the feasibility and impact of charging for some provision; clear budgets for maintaining and upgrading some public toilets, and; good practice from other local authorities that have maintained or improved public toilet provision.

Our members can contribute lived experience: we ask that our local authorities, the combined authority, and business organisations, work in partnership with our network to find solutions to this major challenge.

The Public Toilets Equalities Network currently comprises more than 20 organisations from the Greater Bristol area including: BABCON (Bristol Bladder and Bowel Confidence), Bristol Dementia Action Alliance, Bristol Older People’s Forum, Bristol Walking Alliance, Bristol Women’s Voice, ERIC The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity, Let’s Walk Bedminster, SHINE (Supporting Healthy Inclusive Neighbourhood Environments), WECIL and Your Park. 

To contact the network, administration is currently undertaken by bopf@ageukbristol.org.uk 

Main photo: Betty Woolerton 

Read next:

• An ode to Watershed’s new gender neutral toilets
• ‘Access to public toilets is an equalities issue’
• Toilets reopen in former toilet block – now with added cafe

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