All London’s new public loos gender-neutral
All new public lavatories being built in London will be gender-neutral, the Mayor of London has said. The new lavatories are also intended to accommodate older people, people with babies, disabled people and pregnant women, as well as visitors who may be less familiar with local amenities.
A WAVE of new public lavatories being built in London will be gender-neutral, the Mayor of London has announced.
Plans to increase the number of public facilities in the capital are also being designed by Sadiq Khan to help trans and non-binary people feel more comfortable.
The new lavatories are also intended to accommodate older people, people with babies and young children, disabled people and pregnant women, as well as tourists and visitors who may be less familiar with local amenities.
It comes amid concerns that some Londoners and visitors to the city are limited in terms of where they can visit and how long they can spend somewhere because the capital does not have enough appropriate facilities.
Mr Khan said: “I have vowed to be a mayor for all Londoners so I am determined to ensure that everyone has the ability to enjoy our great city to its fullest. Toilets are a vital public service and can help to shape the experience of the capital for those who live here and for those visiting.
“We need a range of toilets that reflect the incredible diversity of this city – giving people the confidence to move around London with dignity.”
The move was welcomed by campaigners who said the decision to make facilities gender-neutral was “symbolic” of an inclusive, welcoming city.
Ruth Hunt, chief executive of Stonewall, said: “We’re pleased the mayor has used the London Plan to call on councils to create more gender-neutral toilets, and so help meet the needs of all Londoners and the city’s many visitors. Gender-neutral toilets are a practical solution for many people, for many reasons and it’s a powerful demonstration of acceptance that has benefits for everyone.
“But this move isn’t just practical, it’s symbolic. By introducing gender-neutral toilets, planners can show that London is a city that cherishes its diverse population.”
The pledge was welcomed by older people’s charities, which said more toilets would give elderly people the confidence to go out and about. Earlier this year, half of respondents to an Age UK survey of over-75s said too few lavatories was a “regular” problem.
Paul Goulden, chief executive of Age UK London, said: “It is reassuring to see that the mayor’s London Plan has committed to building more accessible public toilets. We want as many older Londoners as possible to be able to move confidently around their city without restriction and this pledge should go a long way to improving their experiences.”
The idea of lots of lovely new public lavatories usable by men or women, as proposed by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, might bring cheer to many anxious hearts unsure of finding a convenient convenience in the capital. The lack is felt as strongly outside London. But it turns out that Mr Khan’s proposal is intended not to bring relief to the looless but to provide “a range of toilets that reflect the incredible diversity of this city”. It is hard to think what such a range, however incredible, would be. Should we have separate cubicles for Leavers and Remainers; for listeners to Radio 3, with piped sonatas, and something with more of a beat in cubicles for fans of Heart FM? The real trouble is too few new lavatories. Shoppers often rely on those at M&S or Waitrose instead. The day of the private convenience is here.