Lack of public toilets in York blamed for street urination
However, it added the provision of public toilets was an ongoing challenge."It is expensive and anti-social behaviour creates further difficulties in upholding cleansing and maintenance standards," the report said.According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, York's Business Improvement District received 4,194 requests to clean up urine and 2,058 related to human biohazard fluid, such as vomit, in the 12 months to March.There were 280 requests to clean up faeces, including from dogs, from the start of 2024 to November.During a council consultation, 162 out of 346 people blamed the issue on a lack of public toilets and 83% of 1,026 respondents backed the £100 fines.
'Taking desperate measures'
One respondent said: "Urination and defecation in the streets is disgusting."But it happens mainly in the city centre where the lack of public toilets at certain times of the day lead to people taking desperate measures."The authority has recently spent £65,000 on upgrading public toilets in Silver Street in the city centre and Front Street in Acomb.A further £254,000 had been made available to provide toilet, changing and shower spaces for the severely disabled.The report added: "Councillor Jenny Kent, the council's executive member for environment and climate emergency, is clear that access to clean toilets is an essential hallmark of public health, and the number, location and management of toilets is therefore currently under review."
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