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

"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."

"Having an insufficient number of public toilets has inevitable unsanitary consequences, creating unpleasant environments that degrade our public realm. As a country we can and should be doing better."

Public toilets in England have decreased by 14% in the last decade, resulting in 15,481 people per toilet. This shortage contrasts with Scotland and Wales, which have significantly better ratios. The Royal Society for Public Health warns that fewer toilets lead to public urination and unhygienic conditions. The lack of facilities discourages people from going out, affecting high streets. The RSPH calls for local authorities to ensure sufficient public toilets and for developers to contribute to this need.

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