Annabelle Ewing’s campaign for better town toilet access
Access to a clean, safe public toilet is a basic part of a functioning town centre. For older residents, families with young children, disabled people, delivery workers and visitors, the absence of nearby facilities can turn a short trip into a difficult one. Annabelle Ewing’s campaign highlights public toilets as a practical measure that supports dignity, inclusion and local economic activity.
The proposal fits within a wider platform focused on representing communities at Westminster, strengthening Scotland’s economy and building a fairer future through independence. Better facilities would help make high streets more welcoming while giving councils, businesses and community groups a clear issue around which to work together.
| Local need | Practical response | Community benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Limited facilities in town centres | Restore, extend and clearly signpost public toilets | Longer, more comfortable visits |
| Poor accessibility | Upgrade entrances, cubicles and changing facilities | Greater independence for disabled people |
| Evening and weekend gaps | Coordinate opening hours with transport and events | Safer, more useful town centres |
| Pressure on small businesses | Share responsibility through council and local partnerships | Less reliance on cafés for basic needs |
Why public toilets matter to town life
A town centre is more than a place to shop. People visit for medical appointments, libraries, markets, cafés, public transport and community events. If toilet provision is unreliable, some residents simply stay away, while others depend on businesses that may have limited space or may reserve facilities for paying customers.
The same pattern is familiar in Australia. Visitors to Melbourne’s laneways, Sydney’s suburban shopping strips or regional centres in Queensland often plan outings around council facilities, shopping centres and railway stations. In hot weather, during festivals or on long journeys, a well-maintained toilet can influence whether people remain in an area and spend money with local traders.
A practical commitment for Ochil and South Perthshire
Improving access would require a reliable audit of existing facilities across towns and villages. That means recording opening hours, accessibility, lighting, cleanliness, baby-changing provision and distance from bus stops, car parks and civic buildings. Residents should be able to report faults without navigating a complicated process.
A local access plan could then identify urgent repairs and longer-term investment. Facilities near town squares, transport interchanges and parks should receive priority, with signs that are visible to visitors who do not know the area. Ewing’s legal experience and previous parliamentary service provide a useful foundation for asking public bodies to set clear standards and publish progress.
Designing for dignity and accessibility
A toilet that technically exists may still be unusable. Narrow doors, heavy handles, poor lighting, a lack of adult changing space or an inaccessible route can exclude the very people who need public provision most. Accessible cubicles should be treated as essential infrastructure rather than an optional addition.
Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the accessibility provisions in the National Construction Code offer a useful comparison. Scottish councils can apply the same principle in practice: consult disabled residents, parents, carers and older people before finalising designs. Facilities also need sanitary disposal units, safe surfaces, handwashing stations and clear information about opening times.
Keeping facilities clean, safe and open
Maintenance determines whether investment is trusted. A newly refurbished toilet will quickly lose public confidence if soap dispensers remain empty, faults go unrepaired or cleaning schedules are unclear. Councils should publish service standards, record inspections and provide a visible way to report urgent problems.
Opening hours matter just as much. A facility that closes before an evening market or weekend event leaves a gap precisely when town centres are busiest. Australian councils commonly coordinate toilet access with beaches, parks, libraries and transport hubs; a similar approach could link local facilities to fairs, sporting fixtures and seasonal tourism in Perthshire and Kinross.
Partnerships that support local traders
Public toilets should not become an unfunded burden for small cafés and independent shops. Businesses may be willing to participate in a community toilet scheme, but agreements need clear expectations, modest support and protection from unreasonable cleaning or security demands. Councils could offer grants, rate relief or recognition for venues that provide accessible facilities to the wider public.
Good policy also depends on transparent decision-making. The wider principle of accountable public institutions is discussed in this legal accountability report, a reminder that public confidence grows when responsibilities and oversight are visible. For town toilet provision, that means publishing contracts, inspection results and spending decisions in plain English.
Priorities residents can see
A focused programme would make improvements easier to measure and communicate. Early actions could include repairing existing buildings, adding directional signs and creating a single online map, followed by larger projects where gaps are greatest.
Useful indicators could cover both service quality and local experience:
- The number of open, accessible facilities in each town
- Published cleaning and repair response times
- Facilities available during evenings and weekends
- Resident feedback from disabled people, families and older users
Local participation should continue after the first upgrades. Councils can work with schools, traders’ associations, disability organisations and tourism groups to identify overlooked locations and review whether the scheme is working in practice.
Residents and visitors also benefit from simple, consistent information:
- Clear signs from main streets, car parks and bus stops
- Map listings showing accessibility and opening hours
- Notices explaining how to report damage or missing supplies
- Coordination with markets, festivals and sporting events
Connecting town-centre improvements with wider change
Reliable public facilities are a small but visible example of how political priorities affect daily life. They support local commerce, public health, tourism and equal participation without requiring residents to make a purchase before meeting a basic need. Investment in this area can sit alongside broader work on economic recovery and stronger local services.
For Ochil and South Perthshire, the campaign offers a grounded way to discuss representation: listen to residents, identify practical barriers and press for delivery. Annabelle Ewing’s call for better public toilets places dignity and access at the centre of town-centre renewal.
Support Annabelle Ewing’s campaign, share local experiences of toilet access and help make clean, safe and accessible facilities a visible priority for every town.