Peter Mandelson may be facing serious allegations, but at the age of 72 he should perhaps be granted a degree of relief for, seeking – er – relief in a public place. So says the writer of a letter to the Guardian. Countless silvers – female, as well as men with prostate problems – have suffered moments of desperate need and may concur. And while Mandelson was on a residential street, the problem is exacerbated by a general shortage of public toilets in urban shopping areas. As the writer observes: “The serious side to this is that there are people who rarely venture from home owing to bladder problems. So, instead of criticising or sniggering, perhaps we should demand that basic toilet facilities are provided on more of our streets.” Although the London Assembly for example, called on the capital’s Mayor last year to impose a statutory duty on councils to provide them, coverage still appears haphazard. More councils should follow Richmond on Thames and others with voluntary community schemes that reward businesses for doing so. Any taxpayers tempted to object might be asked to remember that failure means potential spending in shops is, well, trickling down the drain.
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