MPs demand action over toilets

The communities and local government committee also warned authorities to stop using laws designed to help disabled people as an excuse for tearing down old lavatories.

And they called for improved signs - with a nationally recognisable symbol, leaflets and website information about location, opening times and costs of facilities.

A report by the influential committee welcomed efforts by the Government to encourage local authorities to plug a growing shortage of toilets in some parts of the country.

It said some were taking action, including joint initiatives with businesses to pay for new facilities, or to allow non-customers to use conveniences in shops, pubs and restaurants.

But too many were not, it suggested, and needed to be pushed.

"We feel strongly that the recommendations made in the Government's Strategic Guide should be acted upon by local authorities," the MPs concluded in their report.

"For this reason, we recommend that the Government imposes a duty on each local authority to develop a strategy on the provision of public toilets in their areas, which should include consultation with the local community and which should be reviewed annually.

"The duty of compiling and reviewing a public toilet strategy is a simple requirement that will go a long way towards achieving the right of people who live in and visit this country to have accessible and clean public toilets, wherever they live, work or visit."

No toilet should be closed unless there was "a strong case for it and after extensive consultation", the report warned.