Toilets at Stratford Station to remain shut

There is no relief for travellers bursting to spend a penny at Stratford Rail station as Mayor Boris Johnson has refused to repair the public toilets so they can be re-opened.

The station is already a major transport hub boasting 10 rail lines and next summer will welcome tens of thousands of visitors to the Olympic Games,

The toilets in the main concourse have been “Out of Order” for many months after vandalism and incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Liberal Democrat assembly leader Caroline Pidgeon raised its future. She asked the Mayor what he is doing to ensure adequate toilet facilities at the station in the short and longer term?

‘Anti-social’

In a written answer, Mr Johnson said the decision to close them was as a direct result of “continued serious anti-social behaviour, which was posing an increasing risk to customers and staff.”

Accessible toilets remain available in the northern ticket hall, while older people, disabled or those with children can use the currently closed toilets if necessary.

He directed those in desperate need to public toilets located nearby at Westfield Stratford City and in Stratford Shopping Centre, which are not always open.

“While I am obviously keen to see public toilet provision extended across London, I am not willing to do so at any cost, especially where public safety is concerned,” he told his detractor.

His response emerged last week when on two days signalling problems delayed main line trains and thousands of customers, sometimes for up to two hours.