Designing London’s Recovery

New public access toilets are often poorly constructed so they quickly become broken. Broken locks broken flush mechanisms broken seats. Public toilets need to be designed with very durable materials and equipment and they need very frequent and regular cleaning and restocking. Without this they become unpleasant and unhygienic places that no one wants to use. Toilets for women need to be designed by a woman. Often the cubicle space is too small to squeeze into and to get around the door! The provision of toilets is not just about design and construction it’s about funding and programming ongoing Cleaning and maintenance.

We need to bite the bullet and set up 24 hour attended toilets once again.

They must be free.

The technology is there to protect the attendants and the users from junkies and deviant behaviour.

Homeless people should be encouraged to use the facilities. There could even be places where they could wash themselves.

It costs to do this but think of the benefits.

Councils have failed and failed again… this should be a mayoral responsibility it is a health issue.

Providing public toilets - free of charge- is a superb idea.

Providing proper cleaning for the toilets - is essential.

I have children, so if they need to go, I have to use them.
I often choose where we go out based on access to toilets.

In my area, the roads all smell like human waste because the toilets are only open at certain hours and cost money. There is a large homeless population here and you can't blame people for soiling the street if there is no 24 hour free toilet. The toilets are usually dirty, so it's hard to wash your face or brush your teeth in there if you need to. I think it's worth spending money on well staffed toilets with good facilities as it could greatly improve public health by keeping the streets clean, plus homeless people need somewhere to look after their personal hygiene.

Honestly couldn’t tell you where to find clean, decent, free, public toilets.

Usually I only go when I am at home for this reason. Luckily most if the time I am able to as I do not have dependents (old or young) or any illnesses that require toilet access.

I much prefer continental Europe which has toilets everywhere.

This is also a gendered issue due to the fact that menstruation, and care responsibilities both disproportionately fall the women.

It’s definitely not hyperbole to say a large amount of Londoners must plan their day around where and when they can use a toilet, myself included.

I live in Camden one of the most popular tourist areas in London, and the public facility at the end of Parkway is rather inadequate, as with many public lavatories, they are accessed down some rather damaged stone steps, which for myself, with mobility issues are always a concern. There should be more public lavatories which are accessible, not just for people such as myself but also people who have kiddies with them.

Why are disabled toilets frequently shared with baby changing? Baby changing takes so long with all the ccoing, especially if there is another child runing around. Baby changing should be in the general toilets, or have a parent and child lav separate from the normal and disabled.

I think it shameful that a capital city like London does not have cost-free, clean public toilets available for the public to use, both in tourist spots and on high streets. Ideally they should be attended in order to maintain cleanliness and safety. The safety of women and children is especially important. Accessibility is equally important, with at least one cubicle accessible to disabled people. Inside public buildings, account should be taken of the fact that women spend longer in lavatories than men, and women should be involved in the design of women's facilities. Wherever possible, there should be a men's. women's and gender-free toilets so that everyone can feel safe and comfortable.

No public toilets anywhere. Where can you go? In the street and get arrested!

The location - should be in a reasonably busy area.
The cost - should be free.
Opening times - should be open 24/7
Cleanliness.
Whether or not it's easy for disabled or eldery people to use it.
At the moment I usually use toilets in libraries, railway stations and places such as marks and spencers/tesco, etc.

I have a medical condition and regularly need access to a toilet and they are very difficult to find without having to spend money in a venue or beg to use one. If you can't get more public toilets sorted design a card for those with disabilities to be able to show in shops and pubs etc to allow access to the toilets.