I think there's a bit of a misunderstanding here.  Staff do use toilets on the train and at stations where available, and if it's their recognised PNB (Physical Needs Break) then they will almost certainly have access to staff toilets of some sort.

I see the article TG linked to as basically ASLEF saying that a lot of companies agreed to the Welfare Facilities Charter which promised action by late this year, but in some cases very little improvement has been made, so they need to buck their ideas up.  More detail here:  https://aslef.org.uk/news/aslef-win-train-drivers-will-finally-have-access-toilets-work

The issue largely applies to freight train drivers who don't have access to a toilet on the train - or perhaps I'm wrong and ChrisB can let me know where to find the train loo on a freight train? - and may work long periods where there is simply no access to a proper toilet.  But there are also some passenger operators that could make improvements.

The Guardian article TG linked to then goes on to rather randomly quote a couple of examples of completely unrelated industrial action on the railways, before rightly drawing attention to the similar issues that bus, coach and lorry drivers face as well.

 

The issue with that could be if there's pressure on time. Sods law leans towards the train loo turning out to be the UK's most occupied toilet / is out of order / the type of train is provided with only one loo etc.

Mark

 

Sort of occurred to me - can they not use the loos on the train when they stop at a station, or indeed the loos at a station itself?

I also feel for bus drivers though, a different set of circumstances altogether without either of those options, I think it's one of the most undervalued and underpaid jobs there is, especially when compared to train drivers.

 
A bit away from the coffee shop area: I *think* this is the last known sighting of the provision for personal needs breaks for staff at a rather obscure railway junction on the line from... somewhere to who knows where. Google streetview link.

Mark

https://maps.app.goo.gl/tpFZjTRqJnagqttK6

 
There's also concern for provision for bus drivers, something I'd wondered about with services to Bath: even before the current road works, several services did not include the bus station, and with Manvers Street closed, most/all Faresaver services are turning round short too. Happy to hear more how the employer handles/doesn't handle this, especially given the weather. Warm work environments combined with restricting fluid intake has implications for health, both short and long term.

Mark

 
They don't want to sit on train loos basically. elitist clap-trap....

 
Here we go again (or perhaps don't go, subject to facilities) 

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jul/28/train-drivers-consider-strike-action-lack-of-toilets