ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

The British Toilet Association has launched a campaign to make it a legal requirement for public toilets to be provided by Britain's central and local governments.

The Legalise Loos campaign has been set up to address the decline in public washroom provision in town centres, parks and other locations.

The BTA estimates that the number of public conveniences available around the country has fallen by approximately 40 per cent since 2000. And this is having an impact on people's well-being as well as on the health of the economy, it claims.

According to the Audit Commission there were just over 6,000 public toilets in England in 2000. The BTA believes this number now stands at around 3,300.

Local authorities are responsible for providing public toilets - but this is as an optional service rather than a mandatory requirement. This means that many councils are focusing on essential services rather than on keeping the washrooms open. And the shortage of loos is affecting people of all ages whether they are travelling, participating in outside activities or visiting family, friends and colleagues, claims the British Toilet Association.

"Now is the time for action," said BTA managing director Raymond Martin. "This government has an opportunity to reverse the recent decline and make public toilets legal by making their provision a duty and not a choice."

The BTA claims that toilets are essential because 14 million people in the UK have incontinence issues, 15 million menstruate and 16 million have a disability.