From ticket booth to restroom: Morden tube station unveils its modernized facilities.
Morden tube station has undergone a remarkable transformation, converting its old ticket office into two brand-new restrooms. This renovation marks the inaugural project in a £15 million initiative aimed at enhancing toilet availability across London’s public transportation system.
The absence of public toilets can significantly hinder the use of public transport for many individuals. Acknowledging this issue, the Mayor made a commitment in 2024 to allocate £3 million annually over five years to develop new and improved restroom facilities. The overarching goal of this initiative is to install toilets at select stations, increase the number of accessible options, upgrade current amenities, and ensure that passengers can reach a toilet within a 20-minute timeframe without the need to transfer trains.
The first restrooms opened under this ambitious program are now operational at Morden. They include a gender-neutral toilet and a fully accessible restroom, both equipped with baby-changing stations, situated in the area once occupied by the ticket office. Morden station was prioritized for this upgrade due to its status as a terminus, although the opening of these facilities was slightly delayed compared to the original schedule.
In addition to Morden, accessible toilets were introduced last year at Clapton, Seven Sisters, and White Hart Lane London Overground stations. The next locations slated for new facilities are New Cross Gate and Acton Central. Meanwhile, renovations are in progress at Amersham Underground station, where existing customer toilets are being revamped and converted into fully accessible spaces.
Plans for additional accessible toilets are on the horizon for several other stations, including Colindale, Leyton, Northolt, West Ham tube stations, and Surrey Quays Overground station.
Furthermore, Transport for London (TfL) is actively upgrading current toilet facilities. Recent mid-life refurbishments—featuring new fixtures, fittings, flooring, and tiling—have been completed at High Barnet Underground station and Willesden Junction London Overground station. Similar enhancements are now taking place at Penge West and Crystal Palace, with future upgrades planned for Stanmore, Watford, Bush Hill Park, and Enfield Town.
In addition, 37 locations across the TfL network have benefited from LED lighting upgrades, which have enhanced both energy efficiency and the overall aesthetic of the restroom facilities.
Emma Strain, TfL’s Customer Director, commented: "We understand that for many people, the lack of access to a toilet can be a deterrent to using the network, significantly impacting their ability to go out. The introduction of these new restrooms at Morden represents a critical step forward in our efforts to enhance restroom availability and quality throughout our network. This initiative aligns with our commitment to create a transport system that is equitable, accessible, and inclusive for all users."
Currently, there are restroom facilities available at 155 locations within the TfL transport network, along with an additional 40 toilets located at stations not managed by TfL.
For those interested, a tube loo map can be found here: https://tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/public-toilets-in-london.
