LORRY drivers are urging the Town Hall to abandon changes to public conveniences which will bring new charges and lavatory closures.

The New Journal revealed earlier this month how Camden plans to axe toilets in Pond Square, Highgate, South End Green, Hampstead, and West End Lane, West Hampstead.

The cost-cutting plan will introduce pay-per-use loos for the first time in Camden Town and Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

But Labour’s cabinet councillors have been warned that they will face a fight if they follow through with the plans.

Gillian Kemp, from Truckers Toilets UK campaign, said she was “horrified” by the proposals.

“The lack of toilet access worries those who have urgency problems,” she said. “The solution? To stay at home rather than risk an accident. This in turn can make people isolated and affect their mental health. The lack of toilet facilities affects mobile workers – and I’m aware that taxi drivers are very concerned.”

Ms Kemp added: “We all need the loo and those councils who do provide facilities find it very worthwhile – as indicated by the high number of applications for a Loo of the Year Award.”

Meanwhile, the Labour frontbench at the Town Hall has faced attacks from political rivals. 

Green councillor Sian Berry said her party had campaigned for many years to protect the Highgate toilets.

“Plans to take more than £200,000 out of the public toilet service will harm the most vulnerable,” she said. “Whether they want to do it through charging or ­closing facilities, the oldest and youngest and people with medical problems will be hit hard. Other ­savings are possible.”

Lib Dem councillor Flick Rea warned at last week’s full council meeting there would be a fight against the closure of ­toilets in West Hampstead, which she said Labour had tried to shut before.

“The people of Camden will not take the closures of their toilets calmly,” she said, adding that the council had come up with a sneaky new “income stream” by closing facilities while bringing in new charges for urinating in the street. The penalties, nicknamed “wee fees”, are £100.

Labour regeneration chief Councillor Phil Jones said critics in Cllr Rea’s area could bid to keep the toilets open with money brought into the Town Hall through planning development deals, known as the Community Infrastructure Levy. He said residents in each ward should be asked where this cash should be spent.

“We are living in difficult times but here is a source of money,” he added.