England left with toilet ‘deserts’ as public facilities decline by 14%

• England is facing a public health crisis due to a severe shortage of public toilets, health leaders have warned.
• New analysis by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) indicates a 14 per cent reduction in public toilets since 2016, leaving one facility for every 15,481 people.
• These toilet ‘deserts’ contribute to increased public urination, risks of dehydration for individuals, and reduced spending at local businesses as people avoid going out, the RSPH says.
• The group is calling for new strategic authorities to be mandated to ensure sufficient public toilets, supported by central government funding, and for developers to include them in new non-residential units.
• Local councils attribute the decline to funding pressures, high maintenance costs, and vandalism, while the government says over £78bn is available for council finances.

IN FULL

England faces health crisis as public toilet shortage leaves people suffering