Pioneering toilet scheme welcomes Select Committee

12.24.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Jul 2008

• A SELECT Committee of MPs will visit the borough on a fact-finding mission on Tuesday, June 10, to learn all about the borough's pioneering Community Toilet Scheme.

The Communities and Local Government Select Committee will learn first-hand about the borough's ground-breaking project, which has triggered interest from other Councils up and down the country. The visit forms part of the Committee's inquiry into the provision of public toilets. At least 100 other boroughs have expressed interest in following Richmond's example and a number have already set up such a scheme. Under the CTS, participating businesses open up their loos for free use by the public, whether they are customers or not. The move was designed to greatly increase the availability of toilet facilities in the borough. So far, 70 businesses, including many shops, pubs and cafes, have signed up to the scheme, which was first launched in the borough in 2004. In return, the companies receive £600 a year from the Council. Tuesday's visit will enable Select Committee members to see for themselves how the initiative works.

Richmond Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, said: "We are delighted with the success of the scheme which, we believe, signals the way forward for clean, safe, accessible toilet provision for the public. It would not have been possible without the support of local businesses and I applaud their commitment. The idea has certainly taken off. We have been inundated with enquiries from other boroughs and some have already introduced similar schemes in their own areas. It is proving a real trail-blazer and we look forward to the Select Committee's visit to show the members exactly how this very successful scheme operates."

The Committee will visit two of the venues taking part in the Community Toilet Scheme: the Cabbage Patch pub in London Road, Twickenham, and Waitrose, also in London Road.