Toilets at railway stations

[infobleep]

How do or did they decide how many loos a station requires?

Woking has three accessibility loos. Guildford has one and Clapham Junction and Waterloo have two. Woking has 6 platforms, with 5 in regular use. Guilford has 8 although 7 isn't used and 3 at various times during the day. Waterloo has 21, soon to be 24 and Clapham Junction 17.

Im not sure how many male and female loos Woking has though.

The ones at Clapham Junction are beyond platform 17 so a trek if your needing a train on platform 1. I can understand closeness to a platform isn't a requirement for a lot to be added but surely if Woking needs three for 6 platforms then Clapham Junction might need more than two located side by side.

I realise some if this may be from the way things evolved over time and I'm sure they are not out to make life hard for people, even though I do find the closure of loos on the Cobham line, for large parts of the day not helpful when the trains have no loos themselves.

Bear in mind they are making trains disabled friendly so why not make public transport more loo friendly.

 

[Zoidberg]

Is the thread title a casualty of autocorrect?

 

[NSEFAN]

I would argue that Clapham Junction is in lesser need of more loos, as the majority of people using that station will be changing there and therefore will likely not have much time to use it before their train is due. A significant proportion of the services calling also have toilets on the train, so again there may not be much need to expand the existing facilities.

 

[Traveller54]

Where the toilets are situated are also important, at Perth they are on the train side of the barriers, frustrating if you've just arrived and gone through the barrier and realise you're bursting.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Is the thread title a casualty of autocorrect?

Indeed, on reading the original incorrect thread title, I rushed to our WC just in case the Flying Scotsman came, but there must have been operational difficulties as no trains came....

Glad to see the thread title has now been corrected....

 

[55003]

Euston has a vile evil smelling cesspit , that barely functions, and the owner still charges a user 30p to be exposed to this vile area.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I dont know for sure but are there less at london charing cross since they were relocated?
Glasgow central could do with a second set to supplement the main ones if Im honest and so Im sure could many other places. London Victoria seams ok in number though

 

[WatcherZero]

There is national planning guidance on how many a train/office/entertainment venue/restaurant etc need.

I don't think it applies to rail stations though, they are just public conveniences and providing them is optional.

For example in a restaurant its 1 per 100 customers for males up to 400 then 1 for every 250 after that, urinal 1 per 50. For women its 1 per 50 up to 200 then 1 per 100 after that. Sinks is per toilet and 1 for every 5 urinals.

In an entertainment venue its 1 for the first 250 men then 1 per 500 after that (urinals 2 for the first 100 then 1 every 80 after that). For women 2 for the first 40, 3 for the first 70, 4 for the first 100 then 1 per 40 customers after that.

In an office its 1 for the first 5 then an additional 1 per 25 employees.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Euston has a vile evil smelling cesspit , that barely functions, and the owner still charges a user 30p to be exposed to this vile area.

Doubt Euston will get touched till the HS2 works now, didnt realise it was that bad though

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Doubt Euston will get touched till the HS2 works now, didnt realise it was that bad though

In think you need to be a bit "touched" to pay to use the facilities there at Euston.

 

[talldave]

Is the thread title a casualty of autocorrect?

It is possible to turn auto-correct off!

 

[grumblingalong]

Golden rule, have a free wee courtesy of the TOC while everyone else is disembarking at said terminus station, stroll happily out straight onto the concourse avoiding all crowds and "interesting" facilities.

 

[johnnychips]

Golden rule, have a free wee courtesy of the TOC while everyone else is disembarking at said terminus station, stroll happily out straight onto the concourse avoiding all crowds and "interesting" facilities.

All very well, but if the train is at the end of its long journey, it might be a "bangers and mash" situation.

 

[grumblingalong]

All very well, but if the train is at the end of its long journey, it might be a "bangers and mash" situation.

Applicable for all scenarios, just make use of route knowledge and realtimetrains to decide when to make a break for it :roll:

 

[infobleep]

Is the thread title a casualty of autocorrect?

It was until now. Just corrected it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It is possible to turn auto-correct off!

I've tried that and it's even worse mob!!

 

[Blindtraveler]

I belong very much to the go for free on the train school of thought I must admit amd its often worth relocating yourself towards the end of the journey to guarantee usage before someone hears the approaching terminus station announcement and decides to wake ansd change their baby despite having had over 2hrs to do it in.

 

[infobleep]

I belong very much to the go for free on the train school of thought I must admit amd its often worth relocating yourself towards the end of the journey to guarantee usage before someone hears the approaching terminus station announcement and decides to wake ansd change their baby despite having had over 2hrs to do it in.

That only works if the train has a loo. The trains on the Cobham line don't and nor do the trains via Bookham. I have spent 50-60 minutes on one of those trains needing the loo.

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

 

[Starmill]

It's fairly unclear what kind of point the OP was making here, but I think it would be true to say that it is inconsistent across the board where toilets are and are not available at stations, and if they are charged for.

Generally speaking, South West Trains stations seem more likely to have toilets than some in Northern England. There are inconsistencies all over though: for some reason, Huddersfield has got two sets of toilets, but nearby Dewsbury doesn't have any at all in spite of its 1.7 million passengers a year. Kirkby (Meryside) doesn't have any either despite it's 2.7 million passengers a year, which is quite unusual for a Merseyrail station, most especially because Merseyrail's trains are the only ones that don't have toilets onboard in this area.

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Merseyrail Electrics are one of the worst offenders in this respect. There are no toilets on their trains and the only stations I can remember having loos are Liverpool Central, Moorfields, Hooton, Chester and Southport. Clearly their management have no consideration for older members of the community with weak bladders.

 

[Statto]

Merseyrail Electrics are one of the worst offenders in this respect. There are no toilets on their trains and the only stations I can remember having loos are Liverpool Central, Moorfields, Hooton, Chester and Southport. Clearly their management have no consideration for older members of the community with weak bladders.

Merseyrail don't really need toilets on the trains with most journeys being short journeys & longest journey 55 minutes, some outer stations have toilets, Leasowe does think you have to ask for a key at the ticket booth to use though.

 

[Envoy]

Cardiff Central has no toilets outside of the barriers. You would think that it would be in the railways interests to have modern toilets available at stations in order to reduce the number of people who are using toilets on the trains. It is also crazy to charge a fee to use toilets. Who wants to have to go searching for 30p when they are busting?

I note that on the trains, people tend to head for the disabled toilet as it is bigger.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I note that on the trains, people tend to head for the disabled toilet as it is bigger.

I'm the opposite but for a different reason; I tend to head for the non-compliant toilet because they usually have proper manual catch locks fitted to the door...

 

[Howardh]

Merseyrail don't really need toilets on the trains with most journeys being short journeys & longest journey 55 minutes, some outer stations have toilets, Leasowe does think you have to ask for a key at the ticket booth to use though.

My old man (86) has prostrate problems and needs to wee twice an hour, even if it's just a dribble. So he's basically excluded from Merseyrail, the only option for him is to wear absorbant pants, which begin to smell quickly in warm weather; and not having toilets means he can't change them to a fresher pair.
Sorry to be a bit blunt, but I thought we were in the days of inclusivity?

 

[NSEFAN]

Sorry to be a bit blunt, but I thought we were in the days of inclusivity?

There's not much chance that the 507s and 508s will have toilets fitted now, given they're due for replacement in a few years time. The introduction of new rolling stock might be a chance to change this situation, although I don't know if Merseyrail would be happy with the need for additional facilities at the depot, or giving faredodgers a place to hide!

 

[thenorthern]

Is it legal to charge to use toilets at stations that at behind the barriers as I know Airlines as not allowed to charge to use toilets on the grounds that there is no other option for the passenger to use that toilet.

Its fine though for councils to charge to use toilets as they can argue that the person who needs the toilet isn't forced to use their toilets.

 

[MrCub]

I don't mind paying for station toilets, even if it is a bit of a cheek, if they are clean and well maintained. There are, however, several toilets in stations on the network where the truth horror and filth is revealed only after paying. I've also noticed some stations pushing up from 30p to 50p now.

 

[infobleep]

There's not much chance that the 507s and 508s will have toilets fitted now, given they're due for replacement in a few years time. The introduction of new rolling stock might be a chance to change this situation, although I don't know if Merseyrail would be happy with the need for additional facilities at the depot, or giving faredodgers a place to hide!

Well South West Trains new rolling stock, forget the class number, won't have toilets!

It seems inclusively only applies to wheelchair users; deaf; blind and anyone else cover except those who have toilet needs different to the norm.

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It's fairly unclear what kind of point the OP was making here, but I think it would be true to say that it is inconsistent across the board where toilets are and are not available at stations, and if they are charged for.

Generally speaking, South West Trains stations seem more likely to have toilets than some in Northern England. There are inconsistencies all over though: for some reason, Huddersfield has got two sets of toilets, but nearby Dewsbury doesn't have any at all in spite of its 1.7 million passengers a year. Kirkby (Meryside) doesn't have any either despite it's 2.7 million passengers a year, which is quite unusual for a Merseyrail station, most especially because Merseyrail's trains are the only ones that don't have toilets onboard in this area.

This is what I'm on about. The inconsistencies. One station with less passengers has more loos than one with many more passengers.

There may be good reasons for it but on the face of it, it may seem odd.

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[Paul180]

I'm the opposite but for a different reason; I tend to head for the non-compliant toilet because they usually have proper manual catch locks fitted to the door...

Had a bad experience or seen one.

 

[Crossover]

I'm the opposite but for a different reason; I tend to head for the non-compliant toilet because they usually have proper manual catch locks fitted to the door...

I veer a similar way now - it seems people just don't know how to use the compliant ones

I don't mind paying for station toilets, even if it is a bit of a cheek, if they are clean and well maintained. There are, however, several toilets in stations on the network where the truth horror and filth is revealed only after paying. I've also noticed some stations pushing up from 30p to 50p now.

From something I saw the other day, I think Leeds may now be 40p on the non platform concourse. I have used a couple in Germany who charge €1 in some cases - they were pretty much spotless though, unlike ours which are often, well, not!

Generally speaking, South West Trains stations seem more likely to have toilets than some in Northern England. There are inconsistencies all over though: for some reason, Huddersfield has got two sets of toilets, but nearby Dewsbury doesn't have any at all in spite of its 1.7 million passengers a year.

I know you're aware of this, but for avoidance of doubt for others, the ones in the pub (which used to be the waiting room) are classed as the station toilets. Granted, this necessitates the pub being open. The toilets here don't require you to go through the pub itself, you just turn right as you go through the entrance.

Perfect it may not be but I don't foresee anything changing soon

 

[Blindtraveler]

I don't mind paying for station toilets, even if it is a bit of a cheek, if they are clean and well maintained. There are, however, several toilets in stations on the network where the truth horror and filth is revealed only after paying.

likewise. Which locations would you be referring to un relation to grimness?