Outhouse news - public conveniences overhaul

Ben Russell in The Independent reports on new moves to modernise Britain's public lavatories. As he says: "In Victorian times they were the pride of town planners: minor gems of architectural and plumbing excellence on every High Street providing a much-needed rest stop for passers-by. But years of budget cuts, developers and vandals have taken their toll on thousands of municipal lavatories." Government ministers have now put together a blueprint to restore these marvellous structures, including a new scheme called satlav. According to the British Toilet Association, as many as 5,000 public lavatories have closed in the past decade, halving the number of conveniences. Well worth a browse