Bus drivers relieved at news of more toilets

2:10am Sunday 26th August 2007

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Bus drivers are relieved authorities have agreed to speed-up the introduction of toilets along London's bus routes.

Members of bus drivers' union, Unite, said Transport for London (TFL) and bus operators needed to provide more toilet facilities for drivers on-route and in the workplace.

The group had threatened to call a full strike ballot before their protest in central London on Thursday - but were warmed by a positive response to their demands.

Unite organiser, Peter Kavanagh, said: "It was a very successful day which got lots of positive attention and publicity.

"We got commitment from the Mayor of London, in writing, and he agreed to put pressure on the London boroughs to speed up planning permission for facilities."

TFL reiterated it recognised the importance of adequate facilities and said it was working hard to provide them.

Mr Kavanagh said "significant extra resource" had been agreed to combat what was "a very serious problem".

Unite now plan to meet TFL and London councils. "It is about keeping the pressure on now," Mr Kavanagh said.

There are an estimated 23,000 bus drivers in London.