British Toilet Association: Archived News from the British Toilet Association 

Exeter Echo toilets campaign wins BTA backing

THE campaign to stop toilets being closed in Exeter has been backed by a national group set up to preserve public conveniences.

Mike Bone, director of the British Toilet Association, has thrown his full weight behind the Echo's campaign to stop Exeter City Council closing 10 of its 26 toilets.

Mr Bone is heading a national protest against the closure of toilets which is supported by Radio 2 breakfast presenter Chris Evans.

Mr Evans has been dubbed a "toilet champion" after speaking out about the need for more public loos.

Nine members of the council's executive committee could determine the fate of the toilets at a meeting on Tuesday. It estimates closing the toilets could account for £60,000 of the £1 million it needs to save.

Our campaign, Save Our Toilets, has attracted widespread support from the community, with people condemning the council's proposal.

It has now come to the attention of Mr Bone who said: "Why are councillors in some authorities unable to understand that the provision of public toilets is meeting a basic human need of every single resident and visitor?

"Arguably, very few expenditure lines meet this type of essential need, without which we really don't have 'anywhere to go'. I fail to understand how any councillor can honestly fail to agree what an essential service the provision of public toilets is to millions of British people.
"Exeter's residents and visitors need clean, hygienic and available toilet facilities to meet the needs of all types of users.

"They need to be open when needed and Exeter City Council should be proud to provide these essential services in the same way that other forward-looking towns and cities do.

" It is about time the council stopped ignoring the public and let them have their say."

"Chris Evans has shown a genuine interest and has become a 'toilet champion' in supporting the campaign. He has put his name to it and he said there should be more clean, safe and hygienic toilets. We, in turn, fully support your campaign and so does Chris."

Support is continuing to roll in from members of the public who fear the elderly, vulnerable and people with medical conditions are likely to suffer the most.

Add your support by visiting www.thisisexeter.co.uk/saveourtoilets

Reproduced from the Exeter Express and Echo 25th January 2010