Lack of toilets highlighted by industry bodies

Trade body RHA and union GMB are highlighting the need for more toilets for bus, coach and other commercial vehicle drivers.

Toilets for these drivers are a ‘basic human right’ the GMB’s annual congress has heard. The lack of public toilets has left drivers forced to ‘go anywhere’, according to GMB, sometimes leading to prosecution and job losses or urinating in a bottle. The union’s delegates have called for local authorities to reopen the thousands of public toilets closed to save money.

“If you risk not using a proper facility you can face prosecution and can lose your job. It’s degrading and embarrassing” – Mike Tinnion, GMB London Region Delegate

Mike Tinnion, GMB London Region Delegate, said: “This is a health and safety issue for professional drivers.

“Can you imagine being stuck behind the wheel and needing to use a toilet knowing there isn’t one you can use?

“If you risk not using a proper facility you can face prosecution and can lose your job. It’s degrading and embarrassing.

“I have heard of some real horror stories about what drivers are forced to do when they cannot find a toilet to use, and it’s worse for women.

“It’s scandalous and a problem that has been ignored for too long.

“Access to sanitation a basic human right. Reopening thousands of closed public toilets for all road users must happen as soon as possible.”

RHA’s Public Affairs Manager, Tom Cornwell, has said what he describes as the lack of toilets for commercial vehicle drivers in the UK as ‘dehumanising’.

“It is imperative the UK ups our game, ensuring drivers have safe, secure, comfortable and affordable options that they know they can rely on” – Greg Smith MP, APPG Chair

Greg Smith MP, APPG Chair, said: “A key element of the issues around driver recruitment and retention is the poor state of our roadside facilities. It is imperative the UK ups our game, ensuring drivers have safe, secure, comfortable and affordable options that they know they can rely on.”