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The above all provide toilets, wash-hand basins, electric hand driers
and incinerators.
The washing facilities are entirely free, and are being used more
and more by members of the public — especially women. Hot and
cold water, soap and a suitable number of most efficient electric driers
are provided.
Because of the activities of vandals it is not practical to leave the
washing facilities available to the public when an attendant is not
present. This is unfortunate, but the difficulty has been overcome to
a great extent by a careful programme of times when an attendant is
present based on the known demand.
A disadvantage of the system is that it is no longer possible to have
the "wash-and-brush-up" for which a charge was formerly made, but
it appears that the demand for the service has decreased steadily in
recent years. From the aspect of public health the provision of entirely
free hand washing facilities is of much greater importance.
In addition to the above there is a convenience for women at
Richmond Bridge which has only one wash-hand basin, no hot water,
and no incinerator. The reason for this is lack of an adequate supply of
electricity. All deficiences are to be remedied in the next financial year.
There is also a convenience for men in Lower Mortlake Road which
has been constructed in an old Air Raid Shelter. It is cleaned daily
but is otherwise un-attended and leaves much to be desired. It appears
mainly to be used by lorry drivers who could quite conveniently use
the accommodation provided in the Twickenham Road. It is a matter
for consideration whether this convenience should be closed down or
whether it should be replaced by a new construction.
Close to the Town Hall Gardens a riverside convenience is under
construction which will give full facilities for men and women and
will be attended daily throughout the year.
There is need for a convenience at Ham Common and when this
has been provided the service to the public will compare very favourably
with that of any other borough. With regard to the completely
free handwashing service this could be a pattern for the remainder of
the new Borough.