It’s not just the elderly who miss public lavatories

Sir – Judith Woods is right to bemoan the lack of public lavatories (Letters, April 24), but this has a negative impact on a wider cross-section of the populace than merely the elderly. In London, the shortage is a major issue for taxi drivers, plumbers, carpenters, delivery drivers and countless others who work hard for the benefit of the population. It is also a source of distress for people with health problems, pregnant women and those with small children.

Where public lavatories are available, the dismal state of some of them can be exceedingly unpleasant. It is hard to believe that local councils cannot spare some pennies in order to allow others to spend theirs. Frances Luczyc Wyhowska

London SW11

Sir – I have just returned from Japan, where the first surprise was the heated seat in the airport’s facilities. We found that free public lavatories were everywhere, all scrupulously clean and every one had a heated seat. There was even an occasion when the seat cover lifted itself on my entering the cubicle, almost as a form of welcome.

I wonder what Japanese visitors think of our disappointing facilities?

Barrington, Cambridgeshire

Sir – My great-grandfather, John Palmer Wallis, was instrumental in the provision of ladies’ lavatories in central London, doubtless encouraged by his wife. My mother was told that prior to this a lady’s only option was to approach a policeman and say: “Officer, lend me your cloak.” She could then squat and modesty would be preserved.

Bicester, Oxfordshire