The Tube network is not exactly flush with toilets.
It's used by up to five million people a day, and yet a report published last year claimed that stretches of the network are a "loo desert", the longest being the 12 stops between Morden and Elephant and Castle on the Northern line.
Now, TfL has announced a £3m investment over the next five years, which will see new toilets opened at seven Tube and Overground stations. Improvements will also be made to four existing station toilets, in line with TfL's Equity in Motion plan to make the network more accessible, fair and inclusive.
Tube, Overground and Elizabeth line passengers, says TfL, will eventually always be within 20 minutes of a toilet without having to change train.
The first round of new toilets — which will be free to use — will appear at these stations:
- Camden Road Overground
- Clapton Overground
- New Cross Gate Overground
- South Tottenham Overground
- White Hart Lane Overground
- Morden Underground
- Hammersmith Underground
Non-accessible toilets will also be given accessible facilities at these stations:
- Amersham
- Green Park
- Seven Sisters
- Sudbury Hill
TfL says these initial stations were chosen according to factors including whether the location is a terminus station, operates night services, has step-free access, high passenger footfall, proximity to other toilets on the network, and onward connections.
Work is expected to start at several of the above locations within the next year.
Andy Lord, London Transport Commissioner, said: "Access to toilets is important for all customers when using public transport, but is a vital enabler for some, especially older customers, people with disabilities and those with young children."
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "Toilet provision is critical for many Londoners and visitors, and can even determine whether somebody travels on public transport at all."
TfL has previously published a map of toilets on the network.