Train drivers threaten strike over toilet crisis

Train drivers in Great Britain are considering strike action over a chronic lack of toilet facilities, with the Aslef union warning that operators have failed to deliver on promises made a year ago to improve conditions. The union has put the industry on notice, saying drivers continue to face inadequate access to toilets and excessive time without breaks, forcing some to urinate in bottles or defecate in cabs.

Health and safety crisis in the cab

A 2024 Aslef survey revealed widespread problems, with many drivers unable to reach working toilets. The report highlighted a significant health and safety issue: drivers were dehydrating themselves to avoid needing a break, which increased risks for both staff and passengers. Conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, bladder infections, and even prostate and colorectal cancers have been linked to prolonged periods without toilet breaks.

Female drivers are particularly affected, the union said, and the situation acts as a deterrent to the railway's efforts to recruit more women. Dave Calfe, Aslef general secretary, said: "The health and wellbeing of our members is not a price we are prepared to pay for the inaction of the industry."

Regulator's warning and charter failure

In July 2024, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) wrote to train operators declaring that reliable welfare facilities are a basic requirement in any civilised society. HM Chief Inspector of Railways Richard Hines described the current situation as unacceptable, calling it a matter of human dignity, health, safety, and respect. Operators signed a welfare charter promising safe, clean, accessible toilets and a maximum of four hours in the driving seat without a toilet break, with implementation expected within 12 months.

However, the ORR's annual report this month noted that progress has been uneven and industry momentum has slowed. Key barriers remain, including poor coordination and inconsistent delivery across companies. Calfe said: "A year after train companies promised to do the right thing, drivers are still paying with their health for industry inaction."

Ballots and broader transport crisis

Strike action on the railways has been relatively limited since nationwide pay deals in 2024 ended a period of intermittent disruption. But ballots are now under way for drivers at LNER and Avanti West Coast, while RMT members at East Midlands Railway will strike on 1 August over issues with new trains. The Unite union is also campaigning for better toilet facilities for bus and lorry drivers, calling the lack of facilities a huge problem. Wayne King, Unite's national officer for passenger transport, said employers are failing miserably and drivers are still using bottles as toilets.

The dispute highlights a persistent failure across UK transport to address basic worker needs. Aslef says it will continue to push for action from both industry and government, warning that the current pace of change is unacceptable. With health risks mounting and industrial action looming, the railway sector faces renewed pressure to deliver on its promises or face further disruption.