A charge is being proposed for the use of public toilets in some of London's most popular parks to cover a shortfall in funding. The Royal Parks report that the government grant they recieve has fallen by approximately £11m over 10 years.

A 20p charge would be paid in the public spaces managed by Royal Parks including Hyde Park, Regent's Park, Richmond Park and Kensington Gardens - the diabled toilets and playgrounds woudl remain free.

It is estimated that 8 million people use the 29 toilet blocks across the eight Royal Parks and in 2012-11 it cost £1.1m to keep them clean.

It is understood that the fee would be introduced in 2013.

August 21, 2012