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

A public toilet on Carnaby Street in central London. England has 15,481 people for each public toilet, a much worse ratio than in Scotland or Wales. Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Guardian

The number of public toilets in England has fallen by 14% in a decade, harming public health and creating vast swathes of lavatory “deserts” and unpleasant environments, a report says.

The analysis by the Royal Society for Public Health found a “significant shortfall” in provision, with 15,481 people for each public toilet in England. That contrasts sharply with Scotland, where there are 8,500 people for each toilet, and Wales, with 6,748.