Latest news with #publictoilets
BBC News
16 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Toilet charging may increase 'public fouling risk'
Public toilets in seaside resorts and other towns and villages could be closed or have an admission fee District Council says it wants to save about £250,000 a year by closing or charging at toilets in places like Dawlish, Shaldon and Teignmouth and in rural villages on council has given a rating to 20 public toilets with the lowest 13 to be closed or transferred to town and parish councils and the possibility of charging for entry for the seven highest rated.A report setting out the plans to be debated by councillors on Tuesday acknowledges closures could lead to " an increased risk of fouling in public spaces". The council's report also said it recognised a potential "impact on tourism and businesses" and that "a reduction in public convenience provision could deter visitors". Several petitions have been launched by campaigners who want to keep services open, gathering thousands of signatures between local authority said it was a "difficult" decision to "reduce any valued service" but the impact of closures or charging "must be balanced with the council's requirement to remain financially viable".A decision on whether or not to go ahead with the plans is expected to be made by members at a full council meeting on Tuesday. Petitions have been launched by campaigners who want to keep the blocks at those locations Connett, Lib Dem councillor for Exminster and Haldon at Devon County Council, set up a petition to save the public toilets in Starcross, which is in his said the number of petitions launched showed how important the facilities were to many."They may not use them every day or indeed every week but they like to know they are there," Connett said."I hope Teignbridge think again and abandon this plan."
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Bath public toilets are 'few and far between', council told
A lack of public toilets in a city has left elderly people in tears and pushed customers away from local businesses, councillors have and North East Somerset Council has unanimously backed a call to review the "very few and far between" public toilet provision in the tour guide Ed Browning told a council meeting: "The one constant negative is the embarrassment of apologising for the lack of public facilities."But senior councillors have warned it will be a "huge challenge" to improve the situation. Mr Browning, whose family also run the delicatessen in the Guildhall Market, told the meeting on on 17 July he had seen elderly people reduced to tears after not being able to reach the toilet in time."Aside from 'what's a scotch egg?', the most consistent question I get on a daily basis is 'where are the toilets?'," he said. 'Significant' vandalism Councillors were voting over a motion tabled by Robin Moss, the leader of the Labour opposition on the council, to assess the need for public toilets and "prioritise better provision of clean, accessible public toilets" across Bath and North East Somerset. Independent councillor Shaun Hughes, who represents Midsomer Norton, said the lack of public toilets there was one of the issues most commonly raised with him by the said: "We know this affects footfall in our town, but more importantly excludes large sections of our community. It undermines dignity. It makes our town less accessible."The council's cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development Paul Roper seconded the motion which he said was already something under review and being he warned: "We will face a huge challenge on providing the necessary funding to significantly improve and increase the current provisions."He added: "The issues we face are not just about funding. I cannot overstate the significance of vandalism and anti-social behaviour."Our existing facilities are subject to significant vandalism and in some cases within a matter of hours of being repaired they are shut again."
Wall Street Journal
19-07-2025
- General
- Wall Street Journal
The ‘Smart' Restrooms That Can Solve America's Public Bathroom Crisis
When it comes to the prevalence of public toilets, one analysis suggests the U.S. ranks 30th in the world, tied with Botswana. The obvious solution—just build more of them—doesn't work.
France 24
15-07-2025
- General
- France 24
Public toilets in Paris: Where to go when you need to go
France 08:17 Issued on: 08:17 min From the show It may be something you don't think about until you need one, but public toilets are, for many, a right. In this edition of Entre Nous, we explore the many different eras of public toilets in Paris, which was a precursor when it comes to both architecturally stunning restrooms and automated self-cleaning ones. We also discuss how these WCs provide insight into societal injustices between people, nations and genders.
Washington Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
D.C.'s freestanding public toilets out of order after funding is flushed
You'll only have to hold it a little longer, D.C. Six popular, free public toilets in neighborhoods from Southeast to Northwest suddenly closed Saturday after the D.C. government opted not to renew its contract with the company operating them — but the restrooms will open again in short order, according to officials with D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser's administration.
