England has seen a 14% decline in public toilets over the past decade, leaving vast areas as ‘toilet deserts’ and harming public health, according to a new report. The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) found there are now 15,481 people for each public toilet in England, contrasting sharply with Scotland, where there are 8,500 people per toilet, and Wales, with 6,748.
The analysis, based on freedom of information responses from 221 English councils, warns that the shortage increases public urination and creates unhygienic conditions. It also highlights a knock-on effect for high streets, as some people avoid going out due to the lack of facilities.
William Roberts, chief executive of the RSPH, said: “Access to public toilets is a universal need that we all have, and we shouldn’t shy away from talking about it. One public toilet per 15,000 people simply isn’t good enough and, without action, that figure will keep rising as we lose more facilities.” He added that for some, the lack of access can determine whether they leave the house at all, or lead to deliberately restricting fluid intake.
The RSPH is calling for new strategic authorities to have a duty to ensure sufficient public toilets, backed by central government funding. It also wants regulations requiring public toilets to be included in any development with non-residential units, rather than leaving councils to decide provision.
The Local Government Association said funding pressures had forced councils to rethink provision, with maintenance costing up to £25,000 per toilet annually. A spokesperson noted that vandalism and antisocial behaviour add millions to costs, and while many councils have tried community toilet schemes with businesses, gaps remain where high street businesses have closed.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said over £78bn has been made available for council finances, with local leaders free to decide how to spend most of it.
