Local Liberal Democrats are lobbying Haringey Council to make full use of the Community Toilet Scheme in order to tackle the inadequate facilities within the borough and help out local businesses.

The Community Toilet scheme uses access to toilet facilities in local businesses, shops and restaurants. Local traders in return receive a fee from Haringey Council.

Last week Highgate councillor, Rachel Allison, and Lynne Featherstone MP met with a local pub owner who is keen to join the scheme but has yet to get a decision from Haringey Council.

Tom Helliwell from the Woodman Public House, Highgate, comments:

“The Community Toilet Scheme would be beneficial for local traders like me as we don’t want to turn people away, but we can’t continue to provide this service for free. We’re right by the tube station and get hundreds of people using our facilities every day. We need support from Haringey Council, but we’ve heard nothing.”

Cllr Rachel Allison (Highgate) adds:

“Local residents, especially parents with small children and the elderly, are fed up navigating the unpleasant gauntlet of the limited, shabby and unclean public toilets that are presently available.

“Hollow pledges by Haringey Council to ‘look’ at taking this forward in the next year, as well exploring the possibility of reopening closed sites at Tottenham High Road, have just not materialised.

“Businesses are keen to participate and it could increase trade. Residents want it. Richmond, Camden and Waltham Forest can do it. Why can’t Haringey?”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“Under current plans residents would be made to wait with crossed legs for a further nine months for the simple convenience of being able to use a clean toilet – it is not acceptable.”