British train drivers' union Aslef has put the rail industry on notice, warning of potential strike action over operators' failure to provide adequate toilet facilities and reduce maximum driving times without breaks.
The union said basic welfare needs remain unaddressed across the rail network despite commitments made a year ago following instructions from the rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.
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A 2024 survey by Aslef revealed that many drivers lacked access to operational toilets, forcing some to urinate in bottles or defecate inside train cabs.
This raised significant safety concerns as dehydrated drivers attempted to avoid bathroom breaks.
Last summer, train operators signed a safety board welfare charter mandating safe, clean, and accessible toilets, alongside a four-hour maximum limit in the driving seat without toilet access.
Implementation has stalled across the network, according to the union.
In its July report, the Office of Rail and Road stated that despite initial sign-ups to the charter, progress was uneven due to barriers surrounding coordination and shared facility access.
"We need action, not broken promises, to improve toilet facilities for drivers and to reduce the time drivers are expected to go without being able to take a toilet break," said Dave Calfe, General Secretary of Aslef.
The union noted that lack of adequate facilities particularly affected female drivers and hindered efforts to recruit women into the cab.
Long shifts without breaks were linked to conditions like deep vein thrombosis, bladder issues, and cancer.
