To make public toilets free for children on school trips

The Issue

.

After a recent visit with my class to a London landmark, I was shocked and disgusted that there were not suitable facilities available for the children to go to the toilet.  The nearest public toilet was a pay only service charging 50p per person and the attendant refused to make any consideration for a group of young children.  The change machine was broken and we were unable to use the toilet.  One member of the toilet staff was actually extremely rude and unhelpful, at one point refusing to accept any money before locking the gates.  Unfortunately this resulted in one of the children having an accident.

We are encouraged to take children on trips and I personally feel that educational trips are extremely important.  However, without the proper facilities available to the children trips of this nature are likely to be threatened.

We could now start to ask parents to add the additional cost of toilet breaks onto trips; but is this really the answer?  Contributions towards trips are meant to be voluntary so what happens to those who do not pay?  Are they to be refused access to a toilet?

So I ask you all to help me encourage the Mayor of London to make our public toilets free for school children.

avatar of the starter
Daniel CallaghanPetition Starter
Media enquiries
This petition had 199 supporters

The Issue

.

After a recent visit with my class to a London landmark, I was shocked and disgusted that there were not suitable facilities available for the children to go to the toilet.  The nearest public toilet was a pay only service charging 50p per person and the attendant refused to make any consideration for a group of young children.  The change machine was broken and we were unable to use the toilet.  One member of the toilet staff was actually extremely rude and unhelpful, at one point refusing to accept any money before locking the gates.  Unfortunately this resulted in one of the children having an accident.

We are encouraged to take children on trips and I personally feel that educational trips are extremely important.  However, without the proper facilities available to the children trips of this nature are likely to be threatened.

We could now start to ask parents to add the additional cost of toilet breaks onto trips; but is this really the answer?  Contributions towards trips are meant to be voluntary so what happens to those who do not pay?  Are they to be refused access to a toilet?

So I ask you all to help me encourage the Mayor of London to make our public toilets free for school children.

avatar of the starter
Daniel CallaghanPetition Starter
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
Prime Minister
Responded
“Dear Petitioner Thank you for the petition submitted on the change.org website to make public toilets free for children on school trips. The Mayor of London shares your belief that everyone should be able to go out and enjoy what London has to offer without worrying about the location or cost of the nearest accessible facility. The Mayor would always want to see more toilets open to the public across the capital. Although the Mayor does not have specific powers to provide public toilets in London, he is happy to champion and encourage those that do to take on the issue of provision, be that London’s local authorities or other companies and organisations. The Mayor announced a scheme called Open London in 2009 to encourage businesses to allow the public to use their facilities during opening hours without the need to make a purchase. John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Tesco agreed to join the scheme. This scheme remains open and the Mayor will endeavour to gain continued support from the private sector where possible. Yours sincerely Public Liaison Officer Greater London Authority ”

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Petition created on 1 July 2014