Women-only Toilets

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The Issue

We the undersigned hereby petition the Mayor of London to add "women-only toilets" as a requirement in the new London Plan.

The draft London Plan Policy S6  https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/draft_london_plan_chapter_5.pdf currently states  "Taking into account the needs of all Londoners, a range of toilet facilities should be provided.They should include unisex disabled persons’ toilets,separate accessible baby change/family toilets, and cubicles for people with ambulant mobility impairments which can also be suitable for some older people or people who require additional space. Further guidance on the provision and design of these facilities can be found in British Standard BS8300. Consideration should also be given to the provision of genderneutral toilets."

We ask that the Mayor of London adds "women-only toilets" after "they should include"

The provisions of the London Plan will influence policy across the capital. It is essential that we do not lose this opportunity to ensure women are not discriminated against. Women are already disadvantaged by the number of toilets usually provided for them and regularly have to queue. Turning women's toilets into "gender-neutral" ones is not acceptable. If gender-neutral toilets are required they should be in addition to women only facilities.

 

 

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The Decision Makers

Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London
Responded
“Dear Petitioner Thank you for your petition submitted on the Change.org website. Public toilets are a vital facility for Londoners and visitors to the city. More free public toilets should be built across the capital, and these should reflect the diversity of Londoners and visitors, providing suitable facilities to ensure choice and maximise inclusion and opportunities for everyone. To help achieve this, the Mayor’s draft London Plan includes policy S6 Public Toilets. This policy requires new large-scale developments that are open to the public – such as new shopping centres or transport hubs – to provide free, publicly-accessible toilets. It also applies to new developments that include large areas of public realm. The policy requires these facilities to be suitable for a range of users including disabled people, families with young children and people of all gender identities, and it secures ‘Changing Places’ toilets, which are designed for assisted use. It is important that the provision of gender-neutral facilities becomes more widespread, and this is reflected in the draft London Plan requirements, which will mean that where gender-specific toilets are provided, a gender-neutral option should also be provided wherever possible. This is not intended to and would not prevent the provision of gender-specific toilets, which are currently provided as standard practice. The draft London Plan also highlights the importance of all public toilet facilities being safe, well-lit, and clean, as well as the need to ensure surveillance of entrances is considered in the design of new facilities. The Examination in Public hearing sessions for the draft London Plan have now finished and the Mayor’s team is awaiting the subsequent Planning Inspectors’ report. An ‘intend to publish’ version of the London Plan will be sent to the Secretary of State towards the end of the year and the Mayor aims to publish his new London Plan in early 2020. Toilets are a vital public service and can help to shape the experience of the capital for those who live here and for those visiting. This will be the first time the London Plan has contained policy requirements for public toilets, and it is hoped that the new requirements will result in an increase in the provision of public toilets, removing the barrier to inclusion that a lack of suitable facilities can present for many people. Public Liaison Unit Greater London Authority”

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Petition created on 21 May 2019