Labour councillors in Bath and North East Somerset are raising alarm over the region’s inadequate public toilet facilities, describing the current provision as “frankly ridiculous” and calling for immediate action.
The opposition group of seven Labour councillors plans to present a motion at the full council meeting on Thursday, July 14, urging the council to regularly review and improve its public toilet services. Data shows a decline from 27 public toilet locations in 2011 to just 20 listed on the council’s website today.
Robin Moss, Labour group leader for Westfield, emphasized that this issue touches on dignity, health, and economic sense. “When one in five people limit their outings, and over half reduce their water intake to avoid the need for a toilet, we are clearly failing both residents and visitors,” Moss stated. He called for a comprehensive public toilet strategy that meets the needs of today’s diverse population.
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“This is not just about toilets,” Moss added. “It’s about enabling everyone—parents, pensioners, people with disabilities or health conditions—to go out, stay out, and enjoy life with confidence, knowing clean and accessible facilities are available.”
The importance of public toilets extends to Bath’s thriving tourism industry, which attracts six million visitors annually. Tour guide Ed Browning expressed his frustration: “Working in tourism here, I find the lack of public toilets both embarrassing and frankly ridiculous.”
Currently, there are 16 council-managed toilets operated by Healthmatic with a 20p usage fee, along with four public toilets run by community groups and parish councils. Additionally, some privately operated facilities, such as those in Southgate Plaza on Railway Street, serve the public.
Mr. Moss urged the council to engage the community and take decisive steps: “Our request is straightforward—review the strategy, include community input, and fix this glaring omission. I ask every councillor to vote in favor of dignity and inclusion, rather than leaving people excluded from their own communities and this world-famous city.”
The Bath and North East Somerset Council will convene at 6:30 PM in the council chamber of Bath Guildhall on Thursday for this important discussion.