Letter from Deputy Mayor Seb Dance to Caroline Russell AM

Dear Caroline,

Thank you for raising the importance of improving toilet availability at Mayor’s Question Time in November, and explaining that your question was prompted by the closure of the toilets at Vauxhall rail station. I’m writing to you on the Mayor’s behalf, as he committed to providing you with an update following further investigation by Transport for London (TfL) into the closure of this toilet.

At the time of Mayor’s Questions, a specialist drainage team had been assigned to the toilets to investigate and a site visit was conducted on Friday 1 December by a drainage supervisor. This has determined suitable next steps, such as identifying the location of any blockages, high-pressure jetwashing the whole system to the point where it meets the Thames Water sewer system, and a CCTV survey of the system.

I have been informed that work has already started on these steps, beginning on Friday 8th December, and will take around four weeks to complete. Once these actions are completed, TfL will be able to confirm if the issues are resolved, or establish any further actions that need to be taken, before the toilets are able to reopen. While works to reopen the rail station toilets are ongoing, I want to reassure that there are toilets nearby, which bus station staff are directing customers to.

The Mayor and I recognise the importance of access to free, clean, safe and accessible public toilets for Londoners using public transport. As you know, this is why the Mayor has committed TfL to carrying out a review of existing and new facilities on the transport network. TfL’s work on this is well underway, and I know they will continue to keep you updated on this work to improve existing facilities and identify future opportunities for increasing toilet provision across the TfL network.

I have asked TfL to keep you informed of the works being completed to Vauxhall station toilets including confirming the date for their reopening with you, as soon as this is available.

Thank you again for raising this important issue.

Yours sincerely,

Seb Dance

Deputy Mayor for Transport