MPs vote for more accessible and better maintained public toilets
On what was the final sitting of the Flemish Parliament before the elections, MPs unanimously adopted a motion calling for the prevision of more accessible and well-maintained toilets in public places in our region. The so-called “toilet resolution” had been added to the agenda of Wednesday’s plenary session “as a matter of urgency”.
The resolution was tabled by the Christian democrat member of the Flemish Parliament Katrien Schryvers. With the support of fellow Flemish MP Kris Van Dijck (nationalist) and Maurits Vande Reyde (liberal), Ms Schryvers also called for a map to be drafted showing the location of all Flanders’ public conveniences. Mr Vande Reyde told journalists that "City and municipal authorities, but also those that manage building that are accessible to the public should contribute to this database”.
The lack of public toilets is a real issue for many people, not least the elderly, parents with small children and people with certain health issues.
The three MPs also want a uniform “toilet pass” to be introduced throughout Flanders. The pass would allow all those with certain health issues such as Crohn’s disease to access toilet facilities more easily. The pass could be used to, for example, allow access (free of charge) to toilets in shops, cafés and restaurant. Currently there are several toilet pass systems running, but none of these allow universal access to WCs across Flanders.