Only just more than 60% of London stations have a toilet for commuters
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Transport for London have announced ambitious plans to ensure that Londoners are no more than 20 minutes from a toilet on public transport.
In January Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, pledged £25 million over the next five years for much-needed investment into toilets.
This week’s announcement has provided more clarity on the plan, ensuring that the TfL network has more accessible toilet facilities distributed more evenly across London’s Tube and Overground stations.
The infrastructure plan is part of TfL’s Equity in Motion project, aiming to increase the accessibility of transport across the Capital.
In a press release, Khan said that the funding would “enable toilet provision in new stations as well as upgrading current facilities – helping us to build a better, fairer London for everyone.”
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, added “Access to toilets is important for all customers when using public transport, but is a vital enabler for some, especially older customers, people with disabilities and those with young children”.
According to TfL, there are currently 185 stations which currently have a toilet, meaning that more than 68% of London’s stations have toilets.
But, in reality, this is not the case for Londoners. Many of these stations are inaccessible for those with mobility issues or are locked by station staff.
Which stations could see renovation first?
Khan and TfL have said that construction will begin before the end of this year.
The plan announced at the start of November shortlists seven stations where refurbishment will be prioritised.
Camden Road Overground Station
Clapton Overground Station
New Cross Gate Overground Station
South Tottenham Overground Station
White Hart Lane Overground Station
Morden Underground Station
Hammersmith Underground Station
These stations were chosen on a number of factors, including proximity to other toilets and high passenger footfall.
Londoners’ perspective
Hammersmith station is one of the busiest Tube stops in West London, with more than 20 million visitors passing through the barriers in 2023.
But the station still has no public toilet which is free to use for passengers.
This week’s TfL plan announced that construction on new toilet facilities will begin before the end of 2024.
City News spoke to Jack and George, two commuters who welcome the move.
“Whenever a station does have toilets, they’re never well-kept”, Jack said.
“This seems like a good use of money, to help all Londoners”
George added, “I’m still paying to use the Tube and to use a station, so I would expect there to be toilets. Especially ones which are hygienic and cleaned regularly”.
Mixed reaction from activists
A number of charities have welcomed TfL’s proposal.
Age UK London were one of the main pressure groups advocating for TfL to make rapid and thorough changes for accessible toilets across the Capital.
Their Campaigns Manager John McGeachy has said that the plans will improve conditions for Londoner’s pensioners.
“Older people, like people of all ages, travel for work, for volunteering, to care for others, to shop, to volunteer, for health appointments, for social activities, to visit friends and much more – it can never be the case that a lack of loos becomes a barrier to any of those journeys”.
Charities associated with bowel and bladder conditions have also been very critical of the lack of toilets across London’s transport network.
While lobbying for TfL intervention, Colostomy UK said that “a lack of suitable toilet facilities is a form of social exclusion for many people living with a stoma”.
After the TfL announcement, a spokesperson from the charity shared their “delight” with the Mayor’s announcement. They added the change “really does make a difference to people living with a stoma and other hidden conditions”
“There’s still a long way to go”
However, despite some strong support, other campaigners maintain that there is a long way to go before transport becomes fully accessible for those with bladder and bowel conditions.
Crohn’s and Colitis UK have criticised the TfL pledge to have a toilet every 20 minutes, which may still be too infrequent for sufferers.
City News spoke to Kelsea Lindsey, who has had Crohn’s disease for ten years and is an ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
“I’m grateful that they’re making the move to make more facilities, but there’s still a long way to go until it would be perfect for people with IBD”
Making it so that you’re within five minutes of a toilet would just give people with IBD so much more freedom. Which they deserve. They didn’t ask to have IBD. So, we should be making accommodations as much as a normal life as possible
Kelsey Lindsay, ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis UK
Research from Crohn’s and Colitis UK shows that one in five people do not leave home as much as they would like to. This is because of fears of a lack of public toilets, known as the “loo leash”.
TfL hope that, with a £25 million investment package and pressure from charities, more Londoners will feel empowered to travel across the Capital without the risk of being caught short.
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HeadlineTfL details plan to expand free-to-use public toilets
Short HeadlineTFL pledge greater accessibility to public toilets
StandfirstSadiq Khan confirms £25 million investment and names seven stations shortlisted for new facilities
Transport for London have announced ambitious plans to ensure that Londoners are no more than 20 minutes from a toilet on public transport.
In January Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, pledged £25 million over the next five years for much-needed investment into toilets.
This week’s announcement has provided more clarity on the plan, ensuring that the TfL network has more accessible toilet facilities distributed more evenly across London’s Tube and Overground stations.
The infrastructure plan is part of TfL’s Equity in Motion project, aiming to increase the accessibility of transport across the Capital.
In a press release, Khan said that the funding would “enable toilet provision in new stations as well as upgrading current facilities – helping us to build a better, fairer London for everyone.”
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, added “Access to toilets is important for all customers when using public transport, but is a vital enabler for some, especially older customers, people with disabilities and those with young children”.
According to TfL, there are currently 185 stations which currently have a toilet, meaning that more than 68% of London’s stations have toilets.
But, in reality, this is not the case for Londoners. Many of these stations are inaccessible for those with mobility issues or are locked by station staff.
Which stations could see renovation first?
Khan and TfL have said that construction will begin before the end of this year.
The plan announced at the start of November shortlists seven stations where refurbishment will be prioritised.
Camden Road Overground Station
Clapton Overground Station
New Cross Gate Overground Station
South Tottenham Overground Station
White Hart Lane Overground Station
Morden Underground Station
Hammersmith Underground Station
These stations were chosen on a number of factors, including proximity to other toilets and high passenger footfall.
Londoners’ perspective
Hammersmith station is one of the busiest Tube stops in West London, with more than 20 million visitors passing through the barriers in 2023.
But the station still has no public toilet which is free to use for passengers.
This week’s TfL plan announced that construction on new toilet facilities will begin before the end of 2024.
City News spoke to Jack and George, two commuters who welcome the move.
“Whenever a station does have toilets, they’re never well-kept”, Jack said.
“This seems like a good use of money, to help all Londoners”
George added, “I’m still paying to use the Tube and to use a station, so I would expect there to be toilets. Especially ones which are hygienic and cleaned regularly”.
Mixed reaction from activists
A number of charities have welcomed TfL’s proposal.
Age UK London were one of the main pressure groups advocating for TfL to make rapid and thorough changes for accessible toilets across the Capital.
Their Campaigns Manager John McGeachy has said that the plans will improve conditions for Londoner’s pensioners.
“Older people, like people of all ages, travel for work, for volunteering, to care for others, to shop, to volunteer, for health appointments, for social activities, to visit friends and much more – it can never be the case that a lack of loos becomes a barrier to any of those journeys”.
Charities associated with bowel and bladder conditions have also been very critical of the lack of toilets across London’s transport network.
While lobbying for TfL intervention, Colostomy UK said that “a lack of suitable toilet facilities is a form of social exclusion for many people living with a stoma”.
After the TfL announcement, a spokesperson from the charity shared their “delight” with the Mayor’s announcement. They added the change “really does make a difference to people living with a stoma and other hidden conditions”
“There’s still a long way to go”
However, despite some strong support, other campaigners maintain that there is a long way to go before transport becomes fully accessible for those with bladder and bowel conditions.
Crohn’s and Colitis UK have criticised the TfL pledge to have a toilet every 20 minutes, which may still be too infrequent for sufferers.
City News spoke to Kelsea Lindsey, who has had Crohn’s disease for ten years and is an ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
“I’m grateful that they’re making the move to make more facilities, but there’s still a long way to go until it would be perfect for people with IBD”
Making it so that you’re within five minutes of a toilet would just give people with IBD so much more freedom. Which they deserve. They didn’t ask to have IBD. So, we should be making accommodations as much as a normal life as possible
Kelsey Lindsay, ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis UK
Research from Crohn’s and Colitis UK shows that one in five people do not leave home as much as they would like to. This is because of fears of a lack of public toilets, known as the “loo leash”.
TfL hope that, with a £25 million investment package and pressure from charities, more Londoners will feel empowered to travel across the Capital without the risk of being caught short.
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