Incredible as it may seem but the French are hailing as a “genius invention” new open air urinals on the streets of Paris and elsewhere.

The so-called “uritrottoirs” – a mix of the French words for urine and pavement – have sprung up on some of the busiest and most glamorous streets in the French capital. 

One overlooks the tourist boats on the River Seine and yet another is close to Notre Dame Cathedral.

Some of the bright red devices are tastefully bedecked with flowers, and as filled with straw are said to be odourless and environmentally friendly.

A small unit can apparently cope with 200 fillings and the urine soaked straw is then used as compost and, according to a statement by city officials, will help reduce the current amount of chemical fertiliser being used because, it has been claimed, over the course of 12 months, one person’s urine holds the equivalent amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium sufficient to fertilise 400 square meters of wheat.

One man said, “What we have taken out of the ground, we must put back!”

However some people have derided the devices as “sexist”.

Gwendoline Coipeault of the French feminist group, Femmes Solidaires said, “They have been installed on a sexist proposition: men cannot control themselves and so all of society has to adapt. What about us women? Litter trays?”

Now there’s an idea!

On a completely different tack (truly!), Margaret Mills returned today to uncover the notorious Epping Sausage Scandal.

Listen again here to all Margaret’s revelations:-

See you again next week,
Scott