Reopen public lavatories to stop ‘disgusting’ littering

Hayley Dixon

COUNTRYSIDE campaigners and MPS have called for public lavatories to be opened to prevent beauty spots being “ruined” as people venture further afield with lockdown easing.

Facilities across the country were closed when strict social distancing rules were introduced in March.

But as they have been gradually lifted, the reopening of lavatories has not kept pace with the rush to move around outdoors.

The Countryside Alliance said there had been reports of people using popular public spaces as outdoor lavatories.

There is also concern of the impact on wildlife as beauty spots across the country are blighted by litter.

Trent Park in Enfield, north London, became a dumping ground for beer bottles and other rubbish last weekend. There were even reports of human excrement thrown into bushes.

Councillor Alessandro Georgiou said: “Trent Park is the jewel in the crown of Enfield, and for most of the lockdown it has been used responsibly by the public for exercise. However, we have seen the disgraceful behaviour of a few ruin it for the many. Littering has become rife, with people disposing of large amounts of rubbish in the middle of, and throughout, the green areas. This includes human waste, which is truly disgusting.”

Other blighted areas include Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham, where it was reported that the fire service had to help with the cleaning up, and riverside walks in Ilkley and Bingley in Yorkshire, where lavatory roll and nappies were dumped behind trees.

The Countryside Alliance is calling on local authorities and park managers to open up public lavatories in such a way as to enable people to observe social distancing. Sarah Lee, head of policy at the campaign group, said that an “inevitable consequence of permitting groups of people to visit open spaces” will be that they need to use lavatories. “We can’t have a situation where people are relieving themselves in public places,” she added. “It’s both unhygienic and disgusting for everyone visiting the area.”

Andrew Rosindell, the Conservative MP for Romford, said that “it appears only sensible” to open facilities where possible. “Public parks and open spaces are a great way for people to exercise and beat loneliness by having contact with the outside world,” he added. “Sadly, it’s clear from images over the weekend that a minority have no respect for others and nature.”