The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced plans for a further improvement of working conditions for London’s bus drivers by ensuring that all have access to a toilet on their routes for all hours of their working day.

The Mayor plans to allocate £6m of funding to deliver permanent toilets for the capital’s bus drivers along 40 routes which currently only have limited access or opening hours.

A lack of toilet access can be a significant health issue for drivers who can spend hours behind the wheel. Since his election Sadiq has been working hard alongside unions and bus operators to resolve the lack of facilities left behind by the previous Mayor.

Sadiq has already ensured that temporary toilets – such as an arrangement with a local café or shop for drivers to use their facilities - were installed on all routes that didn’t have one. This new funding will allow for the installation of permanent toilets at the end of each of these 40 routes – removing the worry and potential distraction for drivers of not knowing where they will be able to stop.

The move is the latest in a series of improvements for bus drivers delivered by the Mayor. Earlier this year Sadiq introduced the Licence for London, a deal to help drivers fairly move between bus companies, and in December 2016 he secured a new £23,000 minimum wage.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “It can’t be right that a bus driver can be stuck behind the wheel and not know where they can access a toilet. These men and women work hard keeping London moving at all hours so it’s vital that they are given the dignity of having access to a rest stop when they need it. I’ve worked hard to ensure that our 25,000 bus drivers are given a fair pay deal, and am now pleased that we can deliver another real improvement for the day-to-day working conditions.”

Unite lead officer for London buses John Murphy said: "This announcement is excellent news for London's bus drivers who will now have the basic dignity of knowing that they have access to a toilet  while at work. Being denied access to a toilet is linked to a large number of serious illnesses and physical ailments. This announcement by Sadiq Khan is a result of Unite's continued lobbying to ensure that London's bus drivers welfare and working conditions are fit for purpose in the 21st century. Driving a bus on London's very busy streets is highly demanding, the additional stress concern of being denied access to a toilet makes the job even more stressful. Today's announcement will mean in future drivers will have one fewer workplace worries."

John Trayner, Managing Director of Go-Ahead London, said: “Today’s announcement by the Mayor is welcome as it means drivers’ do not have to worry about where they take a comfort break, thus ensuring they concentrate on their roadcraft and passenger engagement.”