Despite just a quarter of TfL stations in zones 1-3 having a toilet, the Mayor today would not commit to new toilets across London’s transport network. After years of campaigning by Green Assembly Member Caroline Russell, and unanimous support on the London Assembly for more toilets on the tube, the Mayor has only got as far as a feasibility study.[1]
Too many Londoners must “cross their legs and hope” as they travel across London, recent research by Caroline Russell AM found.[2] The worst ‘loo desert’ is on the Northern line, where there is no toilet south of Waterloo. Some stations that do have a toilet have no accessible toilet, which further prevents Londoners from making the journeys they need to.
Caroline Russell AM has brought amendments since 2019 that have shown that a small portion of the Mayor’s overall budget for TfL could enable new toilets to be provided, along with upgrades to existing facilities. An investment in toilets would also enable more Londoners to travel on the TfL network which would raise TfL revenues, but to date the Mayor has not committed to any further investment.
The Mayor today acknowledged that access to toilets “can be a key factor” for Londoners deciding whether to use public transport, and promised that “the feasibility study is a proper piece of work”.[3]
Green Party London Assembly Member Caroline Russell said:
“New toilets on the tube would be one wee step for the Mayor that needs only a fraction of his budget, but would be a big relief for Londoners. So many people tell me that lack of access to a toilet prevents them from even using London’s transport network.
“I’ve spent years lobbying the Mayor for toilets, and he needs to realise he can’t hold it in any longer. The whole Assembly backed me last week – Londoners are bursting for action on toilets from the Mayor.
“The Mayor referred to a lack of resources today – but the more we invest in the accessibility of the network, the more revenues are returned to TfL.
“There is a real problem with a ‘loo leash’ affecting Londoners. People avoid drinking water even during heat waves if they are worried that they won’t be able to find a toilet on a journey across London. Providing toilets at stations is common sense, and will improve the health of all Londoners.”
Notes to editors
[1] Last week the London Assembly supported a motion from Caroline Russell AM calling on the Mayor to include investment for new toilets in his next budget.
[2] Caroline Russell AM’s recent report The London Loo League Table found that:
- Less than a quarter of stations in zones 1-3 have toilets.
- The Northern line is the worst on the Underground; only 27 per cent of stations have a toilet.
- The oldest tube, the Metropolitan line, is one of the best. 83 per cent of stations have a toilet, but only a third of these are accessible.
[3] The full exchange can be viewed here: London Assembly (Mayor's Question Time) | London City Hall