BUDGET cuts by Basildon Council led to the closure of three public toilets in the borough over the last 18 years.

The shutting of a series of toilets since 2000 leaves just five available for use, according to the latest figures.

This equates to one convenience per 36,896 residents.

However, Southend and Rochford have retained the same number of toilets as at the start of the century, with 30 and six respectively.

In Southend, there is one public convenience for every 6,060 residents, compared to the national average of one for 10,930 people in the UK.

Data obtained by the British Toilet Association (BTA) through a freedom of information request shows that at least 1,541 UK conveniences were closed during this period.

However, this figure could be higher as many local authorities did not respond to the enquiry.

The British Toilet Association (BTA) has started a campaign called Use Our Loos to encourage businesses to open their toilets to non-customers, making this service visible by having a sticker on display.

BTA director Raymond Martin said: “We know that councils are under immense pressure with their budgets and, despite having no legal obligation to maintain these public facilities, they have continued to try to reverse the rate of decline.

“They are constantly looking at alternative ideas, such as individual community toilet schemes, to provide reasonable provision for their communities.

“Use our Loos is a community-orientated solution, not about opening more toilets but making more toilets that already exist accessible to the public.”

A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said: “Councils are doing everything they can to keep public toilets open and ensure there is provision for people with particular needs.

“With substantial reductions to their budgets, councils have had to make tough choices about public facilities but are finding innovative ways of tackling this issue.”

Local authorities can come to an agreement with private businesses to open their amenities for the public in exchange for a payment or a tax credit.

Charities fighting for elderly people’s rights have denounced the impact of the lack of free toilets.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director for Age UK, said: “A lack of public toilets affects everyone but for many older people knowing there’s a decent public convenience freely available for all enables them to get out and about with confidence, without fear of being caught short or drawing attention to themselves.

“We know that some older people with health conditions choose to stay indoors rather than taking a chance on being able to find a toilet if they need one.

“So public toilets really do make a big difference to their quality of life.”

Basildon Council was approached for a comment.