TRAIN drivers warned today of potential strike action over rail operators’ failures to provide decent toilet and washroom facilities.

The Aslef union said that train companies and Network Rail had pledged a year ago to make improvements.

General secretary Dave Calfe said: “We need action, not broken promises, to improve toilet facilities for drivers and to reduce the time drivers are expected to go without being able to take a toilet break.

“The health and wellbeing of our members is not a price we are prepared to pay for the inaction of the industry.

“That’s why we are calling them out publicly and telling them, in no uncertain terms, that it is time for them to deliver, to do what they promised. And, if they don’t, there will be consequences.”

The union published a report called Dignity For Drivers over a year ago, which it said had revealed the scale of the problem.

Aslef said: “Our demand, for going no longer than four hours without access to agreed toilet facilities, will help ease and prevent such serious conditions as deep vein thrombosis, bladder issues, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer.”

Mr Calfe added: “Twenty months after we exposed this scandal and a year after the train companies promised to do the right thing, drivers are still paying with their health for industry inaction.

“We are putting the rail industry on notice that we have had enough of their excuses.”

Rail regulator ORR said: “We have been clear in raising this issue with industry and setting expectations for improvement, and we share the urgency to see progress.”