A campaign group has called on Islington Council to tackle the shortage of accessible public toilets in the borough.
Councillors heard from Loos4Islington’s Cornelius McAfee, who addressed the council in a passionate plea for a strategy on the issue.
His organisation had asked for more engagement with disabled residents and local businesses to develop a public toilet accessibility strategy, after sending a petition signed by 2,000 people on 12 December 2024.
Mr McAfee, 71, said: “Islington has long taken pride in its diversity and inclusivity. Poor provision ignores the need of the vulnerable.”
An emotional Mr McAfee added that it was “pregnant women, young families, the disabled, pensioners and those like myself suffering from cancer” that the council should engage with.
Speaking on behalf of the council, Cllr Sheila Chapman told Islington Now: “We’ve just come off the back of 15 years of Tory austerity, which means all local budgets have been cut… hopefully we’re emerging from it now, but we have been in an environment of austerity.”
Ms Chapman added: “We have prioritised this issue, and we have put in place one million pounds that put in place automated toilets.”
Automatic public toilets (APT) have been used to address the issue but face criticism.
Cllr Caroline Russell said: “APTs are prone to mechanical failure and anti-social behaviour unless properly maintained.”
Ms Russell added: “Poor provision fails to provide for the vulnerable.”
Loos4Islington welcomed the debate on its petition, and the announcement of a public toilet strategy.
The group posted on X: “It’s not the end but it was the culmination of hard work by a group of amazing campaigners.”
Luke O'Connell - reporter for Laycock. Former Editor in Chief of University College Cork's Political Magazine, Polity.