Less than a quarter of Transport for London (TfL) stations in zones 1 to 3 have toilets, and less than a fifth have accessible toilets.
The Mayor previously agreed to share the terms of reference of a feasibility study into whether more public toilets can be installed across London’s transport network in June, but this was significantly delayed.
The London Assembly has today called on the Mayor to ensure sufficient investment is included in his next budget to increase the provision of toilets across all TfL stations.
Caroline Russell AM, who proposed the motion, said:
“I hope the Mayor is listening – Londoners urgently need new toilets to remove the ‘loo deserts’ on the transport network.
“So many people depend on access to a toilet to use public transport with confidence – it is high time the Mayor gets on with investing in new toilets at TfL stations to make our city more accessible.”
Emma Best AM, who seconded the motion, said:
“Access to a toilet is a basic human right. London cannot call itself a modern city until public toilet access is greatly improved.
“The Mayor must do all he can to ensure that people do not have to see toilet access and availability as a barrier to leaving the house to carry out day to day activities as they would like to. He must urgently prioritise improving toilet provision across the TfL network.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly notes that:
- Nine out of ten older Londoners consider toilet availability before leaving home.
- Less than a quarter of stations in zones 1-3 have toilets, and less than a fifth have accessible toilets.
- Islington, Tower Hamlets and Kensington & Chelsea are the London boroughs with the worst toilet availability. Over 90 per cent of Transport for London (TfL) stations in those boroughs have no toilets.
- The Mayor agreed to share the terms of reference of a feasibility study into whether more public toilets can be installed across London’s transport network in June but this was significantly delayed.
This Assembly calls on the Mayor to bring forward in his next budget a sufficient programme of investment in toilets across the TfL network to plug the gaps in provision.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Caroline Russell AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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