Forum Topic

Going Down The Pan???

I must say I have to agree with the article on Ealing Today with regard to the state of public loos - that is if one can find them!I would never use those modern toilets shaped like a pillbox - being rather claustrophobic I would hate to be stuck inside one of those contraptions!What about the toilets in theatres??? Very few loos for the ladies with a queue a mile long - trying to use the facilities before the show starts. In the meantime the gents just nip in and out of their loos - no problem!!! These places must have been designed by men!!!Westminster tops my list for well kept public toilets - they are usually clean and tidy with an attendant on the premises! Ealing Browadway is fine because the toilets in the shoppng mall are also well maintained.Some of the train stations charge about 30p to use the toilets - I think that is far too much, some of those toilets are absolutely awful! At least if they must levy a charge ensure that they are CLEAN!It is places such as West Ealing where it is almost impossible to locate a public toilet which means having to go into a restaurant, buy tea or coffee and then use the facilities - which rather defeats the object of the exercise! One can understand the restaurtants wishing to only alllow customers to use the rest room.Walpole Park, which is mentioned in the article, is typical of neglected public toilets. Badly maintained, tiny sink, cold water, no soap. Not a very pleasurable experience and bearing in mind the number of visitors to the park especially during the summer months when events are taking place, this really is not acceptable.In a previous post I mentioned being unable to find a public toilet on a unday morning in Piccadilly Station. Their facilities do not open until 10am - what is one supposed to do in the meantime?  Fortunately a staff member directed me to the toilet which is for staff use only (a dreadful looking loo if ever I saw one) but at least she saved the day. I was somewhat surprised at her question before she allowed me to visit their loo though - she wanted to know whether I was taking drugs! I ask you! What is the world coming to?I don't know action can be taken to improve the state and availability of public toilets but hopefully with the 2012 Olympics coming to London something will be done about it!Comments anyone???

Jean F Fernandez ● 5705d20 Comments

No one seems to have mentioned that (apart from S.Ealing I think) most of Ealings underground stations have public loos. You should be able to find this info on the back of an underground map.

Pete Gregory ● 5652d

I assume you are talking from experience Diane!

J Smith ● 5653d

Good news for those with small children who seem to leave it to the last minute before saying they need a wee and it has to be NOW!

Diane Gill ● 5653d

The libraries all have loos (Ealing, West Ealing and Hanwell) but I agree - this country is terrible

Viv Ellis ● 5653d

Given that there are loos at Sainsbury and Waitrose that the public can use freely, I'm not sure if this is the best use of council money.

Susan Kelly ● 5654d

Good news for all you wishing to widdle whilst out shopping!All of the businesses in West Ealing have been offered the opportunity to take part in a pilot community toilet scheme.Basically, you let the public use your loo and the council will pay you £600 per year for upkeep.Good idea? It's set to launch mid November.

Tony Luckhurst ● 5654d

The bunny park toilets are disgusting but they are luxury compared with the ones in gunnersbury park. My kids needed to use them last summer, you'd need a peg on your nose to go in and inside they were filthy, they didn't look like they were ever  cleaned. Don't know if they've improved since. After that experience I allways make sure they go befor they leave home.

Marie Shelly ● 5697d

Was in the wonderful Bunny Park in Hanwell the other day where work is well underway to upgrade most of the enclosures and it should be very good by school half term - but oh the toilets were despicable. Female friends refused to use them as the water levels inside pans were up to the rim.  In gossiping together it seems these toilets have had perennial problems so it is high time serious work was done to make them match the rest of the location

Colin Izzard ● 5697d

Actually, West Ealing isn't too bad, with loos at Sainsbury & Waitrose. I don't really mind people peeing in public if they have to; in France, people just go by the roadside because when you've gotta go, you've gotta go!Closing public loos results in smelly alleys, though!

Susan Kelly ● 5701d

That is the sort of problem that is so annoying.exactly that park

Peter Chadburn ● 5702d

Peter, I think you are referring to the park in West Ealing? Whoever came up with that idea should have their head tested! After spending a fortune tarting it up they should also have installed toilets within the park! Obviously they didn't stop and think that the elderly and people with young children especially would require toilet facilities located within the park?There was a MacDonalds close by but that closed down so what do they expect people to do if they need to 'spend a penny?'

Jean F Fernandez ● 5702d

It is but that guy could have ended up on the sex offenders register.It is pretty poor that just by a park that has had money spent on it that the public toilets are removed. In a sense why update the park in the first place to make it attractive when you can not use it??? (for very long that is)

Peter Chadburn ● 5702d

Welcome to our little discussion Peter, I thought it was just Susan and myself who were interested in this topic!I still think the situation is a little less difficult for men if they are 'taken short' for instance, the other evening my husband was looking out of the bedroom window. A Mercedes car had pulled up, the driver dashed from the car and decided to relieve himself outside our little block of garages!!! Thanks mate!!!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5702d

A certain scotsman has the answer.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDhETFcgWTEIt is a disgrace that these important facilities are being closed down for all kinds of reasons but then if caught short what do you do?? by relieveing yourself behind a bush will mean the risk of ending up on the sex offenders register. It needs a "Bladders for democracy" campaign

Peter Chadburn ● 5702d

I think you are right Susan! I agree that the standard of public loos has really deteriorated over the years! We used to have conveniences to be proud of but that seems to have gone by the wayside.Honestly some of these places are a total disgrace and one really has to be dersperate to use them! Mind you I also think that some members of the public must also take the blame for leaving the toilets in a filthy condition - goodness knows what state their own toilets are if this is the way they behave in public!Perhps it is time to start charging a modest fee to use public loos but have an attendant in charge at all times to ensure that standards are maintained. I don't mean 50p either - or a £1 tip expected in places like Harrods!The toilets in 'The Oaks' in Acton High Street are simply awful, broken toilet roll containers - no loo rolls etc yet I have seen staff from the shops inside 'The Oaks' washing their coffee cups in the sink! YUK!I think I have become something of an authority on public conveniences, I certainly know what it is like trying to find such a place in a hurry!!!Something should be done to improve the situation, but as only you and I are reading this I don't have much hope!!!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5702d

You and I seem to be the only people interested in lavatories, Jean. Marks' loos are serviceable, no more.It's bizarre that public conveniences are being closed or run down when we have an ageing population with the inevitable consequences!

Susan Kelly ● 5702d

Another thought on the subjct - a friend visiting from Ireland gave me a good tip:When visiting a restaurant first check out the toilets because if they are neglected then it reflects badly on the cleanliness of the premises! If trhey can't be bothered to ensure cleanliness in that area goodness knows what goes on in the kitchens!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5703d

Susan, I also use the toilets in Marks, they are usually OK but when I mentioned to the cleaner that the toilet roll container was hanging off the wall he just shrugged his shoulders! It was eventually repaired.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5703d

The toilets in the mall in Ealing used to be well kept but have declined dramatically in the last year or two. Now you find wet floors, broken doors and a general air of neglect. I use the ones in Marks.

Susan Kelly ● 5703d

Is this just a bog standard topic...or a busted flush???

Jean F Fernandez ● 5704d