The British Toilet Association is carrying out a major survey of public toilet provision to establish current numbers provided by each Local Authority throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

"Since the Audit Commission stopped collecting national data two years ago", quotes BTA Director Richard Chisnell, "we know large numbers of public toilets have been closed permanently and many others now operate with reduced opening hours.

This UK wide survey will enable us to paint a detailed picture of current levels of provision, particularly in respect of facilities for special needs users, such as babies and young children as well as the elderly and infirm.

With no current statutory obligation to provide any public toilets and a requirement to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act by October 2004, many Authorities, faced with significant expenditure to bring toilets up to standard, are simply finding it easier to close them down and leave the issue of toilet provision to other providers such as pubs and cafes."

The BTA is a campaigning body, trying to improve the standards of all 'away from home' toilets and persuade Local Authority providers to invest in new, inclusive toilet facilities for both residents and visitors.

The Association's annual Conference is being held on 16th, 17th and 18th July at Millfield School in Somerset, where delegates, representing providers, suppliers, contractors and user groups, will engross themselves in a range of issues relating to toilet provision.

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