Finsbury Park toilets

I have had a number of issues raised by residents regarding Finsbury Park and the toilets.  I have received this response from the excellent Lewis Taylor which sets out how these issues are to be addressed.

Please let me know if there are any further issues I can help with on this.

Dear Councillor Alexander

Your enquiry about State of public toilets in Finsbury Park

Ref : LBH/2953314

 Thank you for your recent enquiry relating to issues at the public toilet facilities in Finsbury Park N4

 We agree that the toilet facilities in Finsbury Park are an important aspect of the Park and we are working closely with the councils contractor to ensure that the issues you have raised relating to the cleansing regime and condition of the facilities are immediately addressed. I have recently met with the Management of this contractor and have agreed that they increase their shift patterns for the forthcoming season thus providing greater presence at the toilet facility. For example from May to the end of August the facility will have an attendant from 9am opening time until 8pm closing time with a one hour break in between these times.

 Regarding the cleaning standards, I can confirm that following discussion with the contractors Management, that in addition to the new schedule whereby the attendant will daily clean there will be an increase of six deep cleans per year, four of which will be scheduled during the aforementioned time period. We will of course be monitoring this progress closely and value the input from Parks users to ensure that we are achieving the best standards possible.

 In relation to the comments regarding the general condition of the toilet facilities, I have arranged for the men’s toilet interior wall to be painted a lighter colour, missing/vandalised tiles to be replaced and the outside wall timber to be re varnished. This work will take place prior to the May Day Bank Holiday.

 Internally we are currently discussing future options for toilet provision in the Park and Park users and Members will be updated on this progress through the usual channels and also through public forums such as the Parks Friends Group.

In relation to the anti social behaviour aspect,  I have reported the particular incident that you have raised to our Police liaison officer who will in turn raise the issue with the local Police SNT team. I have also advised our Park staff to be aware of the issue.

It is of course unfortunate when some small sections of the community can affect the enjoyment of genuine Park users, however we are confident that these occurrences are isolated to the greater degree and we are constantly working with the Police and various support agencies to tackle these issues. We will of course remain vigilant in this regard and although we acknowledge that some of the minority that use these facilities provide a challenge to us all, as your local resident has referred to, we wish to continue to move forward and not return to the recent past. To this end regarding the toilets I believe that the increased measures that we have agreed with the councils contractor will help improve the current situation.

Yours sincerely,

Lewis Taylor

Environmental Services and Community Safety