Illustration by John Sadler www.johnsadlerillustration.com

• I FULLY support Paul Braithwaite’s plea regarding public conveniences (Give us a ‘comfort’ break, May 21) and I go a step further.

If the government is keen on investing in the infrastructure to help alleviate the coming recession, they could do worse than launch a nationwide revival of public toilets.

The post-pandemic brave new world will see more of us ditching the bus and tube in favour of healthy walking. And that will require a new network of conveniences.

The farsighted Victorians left us some highly ornate and impressive underground loos. The challenge for the 21st century is to create modern hi-tech palatial venues with all the worst aspects of the 19th-century pioneering loos designed out.

We can accommodate all the various new gender requirements and rid ourselves of poor hygiene and unpleasant odours.

The continuing decline of the shopping high street due to online commerce surely means there will be no shortage of available venues for these facilities.

KW HOWARTH
NW1