England left with ‘toilet deserts’ as public facilities decline by 14% in a decade
Summary
The number of public toilets in England has dropped by 14% over ten years, leading to fewer toilets per person compared to Scotland and Wales. This shortage harms public health, creates unhygienic conditions, and may discourage people from going out, especially affecting vulnerable groups like the elderly and people with disabilities.Key Facts
- Public toilets in England fell by 14% from 2016 to 2026.
- There are about 15,481 people sharing one public toilet in England.
- Scotland has one toilet per 8,500 people, and Wales has one per 6,748 people.
- Lack of toilets can cause people to urinate in public, creating dirty and unpleasant areas.
- Some people avoid going out due to the shortage of public toilets.
- Vulnerable groups affected include older adults, disabled people, those with medical needs, babies, children, and homeless people.
- Councils face high costs for toilet upkeep, vandalism, and cleaning, about £25,000 per year per toilet.
- The Royal Society for Public Health wants government funding and new rules to ensure enough toilets are provided by local authorities and developers.
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