ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Work is due to begin on providing more London railway stations with public toilets following a review by the Mayor of London.

The first seven stations to be built has been announced as part of a larger rollout of toilets on the city's transport network. The new facilities will be situated at London Overground stations Camden Road, Clapton, New Cross Gate, South Tottenham and White Hart Lane and at London Underground stations Morden and Hammersmith.

There are currently toilets at 145 Transport for London sites plus an additional 40 toilets managed by external agencies.

"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," said London Transport commissioner Andy Lord.

"We have developed a plan for a holistic multi-year programme to improve toilet facilities across the TfL network. This includes new facilities at stations currently without toilets, more accessible toilets, enhancing existing facilities and increasing the availability and accessibility of toilets."

The decision as to where the toilets would be built was based on a number of factors including proximity to other washrooms, passenger footfall and step-free access. Building work on the new facilities is expected to begin within the next 12 months.

TfL is also looking to convert existing toilets at Amersham, Green Park, Seven Sisters and Sudbury Hill stations to make them fully accessible. It aims to eventually provide a service whereby no passenger is more than 20 minutes from a toilet without needing to change trains.