News from Caroline Russell: Green AM lifts the lid on closed public toilets

Caroline Russell called on the Mayor to prioritise accessible toilets being made available throughout London at today’s Mayor’s Question Time.

Caroline recently met with the charity Muscular Dystrophy about the announcement of a £30 million Government fund for Changing Places toilets [1]. These are truly accessible toilets for the quarter of a million people with profound and multiple disabilities who often need extra equipment and space to use toilets comfortably and safely.

She asked the Mayor to make sure London councils are applying for this funding and for him to oversee it so no pockets of London – including our parks and open spaces – are left without accessible loos.

Caroline Russell says:

This is such a huge issue for so many Londoners.

“The impact of losing so many services like toilets in cafes and pubs over lockdown, restricts how far people can travel from home because of lack of access to a toilet.

“Parents, people experiencing health issues, women, older and disabled people and many more describe feeling as if they are put on a ‘loo leash’, which makes it impossible to spend time in the wonderful parks and public places London has to offer.

“This isn’t right or fair – I’m glad the Mayor is taking steps to make sure London is accessible for people to enjoy with dignity and without being forced to wee in the bushes due to lack of available toilets.

In the meeting, the Mayor confirmed he is working with London’s local authorities to encourage them to bid for Changing Places investment and thanked Caroline for lobbying on the issue, saying it marked a ‘good example of cross-party working.

The questioning comes after the UEFA tournament, where there was increased investment in temporary toilet facilities for Londoners. Caroline argues that these measures should not only be continued but boosted, so people enjoying being outdoors this summer while travel is still restricted are free to enjoy themselves safely.

Previously, Caroline put forward a fully-costed plan for £18 million as an amendment to the Mayor’s 2020-21 budget [2] to invest in upgrading and building new toilets, including world class Changing Places ones. This found support across the Assembly.