List view
1 | Project Summary
1 | Project Summary
2 | Existing Facilities
2 | Existing Facilities
3 | Problems & Precedents
3 | Problems & Precedents
4 | Capacity & User Groups
4 | Capacity & User Groups
5 | Space Planning
5 | Space Planning
6 | Services
6 | Services
7 | Wayfinding & Info
7 | Wayfinding & Info
Capacity & User Groups
Calculating Provision
In light of the recent Supreme Court Ruling (For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers, April 2025), the Westmorland Family wish to ensure that the toilet facilities in their MSAs are as comfortable, inclusive and as readily-available as possible, so that everyone feels safe, respected, and valued.
Therefore, in line with current building regs, all future toilet accommodation in our MSAs must consist of reasonable provision for male and female single-sex toilets, as well as provision for a number of universal toilets (also known as super loos), which are fully enclosed self-contained toilets available for universal use for all who choose to use it, and an important gender-neutral option for all trans and non-binary customers.
Men & Women
Women require a higher level of public toilet provision than men, as they require longer to use the toilet, and have more reasons to use the toilet.
Women require twice as many appliances as men to achieve equal waiting time (see section 2.2), and have historically been under-provided with toilets, therefore it should not be assumed that existing facilities for women are adequate in terms of quantity.
Reasons for this are as follows:
Women require twice as many appliances as men to achieve equal waiting time (see section 2.2), and have historically been under-provided with toilets, therefore it should not be assumed that existing facilities for women are adequate in terms of quantity.
Reasons for this are as follows:
1. Longer Use Time
Women typically take longer to use the toilet due to factors such as:
- Having to fully undress from the waist down.
- Menstruation management.
- Often accompanying children, elderly people, or others needing assistance.
This results in longer occupancy times, leading to longer queues if facilities are not scaled accordingly.
2. No Urinals
Men’s facilities can include urinals, which take up less space and allow faster use. Since women must use enclosed stalls, the throughput per square metre is lower, necessitating more fixtures to match demand.
3. Higher Frequency of Use
Certain biological factors and life stages lead to more frequent toilet use:
- Menstruation increases the frequency and urgency of toilet visits.
- Pregnancy increases the need for frequent urination.
- Postpartum recovery or pelvic floor issues can also increase frequency and urgency.
4. Caretaking Roles
Women are more likely to be primary caregivers and often accompany dependents to the toilet (young children, elderly relatives, people with disabilities), meaning they use facilities not only for themselves but also on behalf of others.
5. Social Equity
Providing equal numbers of male and female toilets does not result in equal access. Because of the factors above, equitable provision often means more fixtures for women to achieve parity in waiting times and comfort.
Gender-Neutral Facilities
Gender-neutral facilities are not just about restrooms; they are about creating a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued, and therefore going forwards we should endeavour to ensure we have a third area of universal toilets in addition to our female and male single-sex areas.
Since currently there is no guidance available, other than that of ‘reasonable provision’, as to the quantity of universal toilets that should be provided alongside the male and female quotas, it is up to Westmorland to set the standard, as part of their endeavours to provide the best toilets on the motorway.