On Wednesday, Transport for London (TfL) announced a £15 million investment aimed at increasing the number of toilets across its network and enhancing existing facilities. This initiative is particularly significant for individuals with health conditions affecting their bowel or bladder, such as Billie Nicholls, a 28-year-old from south-west London who has ulcerative colitis. For her, improved access to restrooms means reduced anxiety while traveling.

Nicholls, who has been living with a stoma bag since her diagnosis with inflammatory bowel disease in 2017, expressed that toilet availability is crucial. TfL plans to raise the total number of toilets from 185 to ensure that passengers can find a restroom within 20 minutes without needing to switch trains. Construction is expected to commence within the year.

Nicholls frequently commutes from Tooting Broadway to London Bridge and described the announcement as “brilliant,” emphasizing that many people cannot afford to wait long for a toilet. She recounted a distressing experience from October 2019 when she faced an unfortunate leak from her stoma after a meeting. In her rush to reach the Tube, she encountered a situation that could have been avoided had there been more accessible toilets along her route.

Another commuter, Helena Salisbury from Weybridge, relies on the Tube for work-related travel. Diagnosed with colitis just last year, she believes that while the proposed 20-minute distance between toilets is an improvement, it remains insufficient. “The ideal scenario is having restrooms at every station,” she stated, highlighting that during a flare-up, those 20 minutes can feel excessive and anxiety-inducing.

Salisbury pointed out the stress of being underground on the Tube without immediate restroom access and suggested TfL consider providing maps in train carriages indicating which stations have toilets. Fern Howard from Crohn’s & Colitis UK welcomed the news but echoed concerns about the practicality of waiting 20 minutes for facilities.

John McGeachy from Age UK London also supported this funding initiative, noting that better public toilet availability can significantly enhance lives. He mentioned that one in five individuals limit their outings due to fears over restroom access; this phenomenon is often referred to as being on a “loo leash.”

TfL explained that locations for new toilets were chosen based on various criteria such as high passenger traffic and accessibility features. They acknowledged existing gaps in restroom provisions and stressed that access is essential for many users' ability to travel using public transport. While some current facilities have faced limitations due to vandalism, TfL aims to enhance their availability and design them to minimize misuse. Mayor Sadiq Khan remarked that this investment would contribute towards creating a more equitable London for all residents.