Local Lib Dems Back Call for Public Loo Fund as Part of Infrastructure Improvement

Southport’s Lib Dem councillors have joined their national party in calling for a specific fund to improve the availability of public toilets. This follows Lib Dem research that showed that the number of public toilets has fallen by 14% since 2018/19.

Public toilets represent an important part of local infrastructure for any town but even more so for tourist towns like ours, looking to attract visitors from outside of the area. As well as the obvious convenience, they can also provide vital changing facilities for those with young children and a more accessible option for people with limited mobility.

Although an often-overlooked amenity, availability of public toilets is a measure of how set up a town like Southport is for visitors. They are part of the basic infrastructure elements that a thriving resort town must have. Availability should mean that toilets not only exist but are easily accessible and open when needed.

Sefton Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Cllr. Gareth Lloyd-Johnson said, “These are the basic, if slightly unglamourous, things that we need to get right if we want to take full advantage of everything Southport has going for it.”

“The political currency in the town at the moment seems to be in highlighting everything that isn’t as good as it should be. There’s a place for that but we should also recognise that we have a lot of potential here, from an excellent food and drink offering to a growing cultural identity.”

“We need to harness this with continuous improvement, sometimes on big issues such as getting the pier open again, and sometimes on smaller projects such as local loos. Together, they all build into a better experience for residents and visitors alike.”