When will public toilets reopen in and around Bristol?

Bristol’s public toilets will not reopen until thorough assessments and other “necessary adjustments” have happened. 

Despite parks and green spaces remaining open, the loos have stayed shut to stop the spread of coronavirus. 

The Government has said they can now start reopening.

Other areas in the region have already reopened some public toilets after taking steps including closing off every other cubicle or urinal and beefing up cleaning regimes.

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “While our parks and green spaces have remained open during the period of lockdown, their facilities were closed in order to stop the spread of coronavirus and therefore protect Bristol residents.

“We are looking to gradually reopen these facilities following thorough assessments, and any necessary adjustments, to ensure that both staff, and members of the public using them, are protected during this difficult time. 

“Further details will be shared shortly.” 

After permanently closing 18 public toilets the city council now asks businesses to offer their facilities - but many are in cafes, bars and council premises that have closed due to the lockdown.

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The council did not say if there were any plans to install temporary facilities.

Bristol Disability Equality Forum manager Laura Welts said: “In Bristol there aren’t a huge number of public toilets even when we don’t have a pandemic. 

“For a lot of people, particularly disabled people, they need places they can access. Disabled and elderly people are feeling vulnerable, so they are cautious anyway. 

"It's also difficult getting public transport. The lockdown has been quite an issue for people's confidence.

“My big concern is making sure public toilets aren’t opened before they have a system of wiping them down between each use.”

Expecting an influx of visitors, North Somerset Council reopened its public toilets in Weston-super-Mare except the Tropicana last weekend, along with the Lake Grounds in Portishead. 

Asked if people had been caught short while the loos were shut, a spokesperson said: “We haven’t seen an increase in urination or defecation as most people have followed advice to stay close to home.

“There are no plans to introduce temporary facilities as visitors are not being encouraged to visit.

“Toilets have been adapted to encourage social distancing and this includes closing off every other cubicle and urinal. They continue to be cleaned to a high standard.

“We are in dialogue with the town council about their arrangements to open up their toilets, but this is their decision to make.” 

Bath and North East Somerset Council has kept all of its public toilets open except the facilities in the locked playground in Royal Victoria Park. The loos in Parade Garden are now back open. 

Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for community services, said: “It is really important people continue to regularly wash their hands with soap to try to stop the spread of the virus and so our contractor Healthmatic, who maintain the facilities on our behalf, are providing additional cleaning and checks on the consumables, such as soap, to ensure the toilets are safe and clean to use.

“We have no plans to introduce temporary facilities as the majority of our facilities are open and operational.” 

South Gloucestershire Council’s public toilets are still closed but the authority says that is under continual review and it will reopen them as soon as it is safe to do so.

It is not aware of any increase in public urination or defecation as a result, and no plans to install temporary toilets.