Second toilet on train is necessary

RAILFUTURE Cymru and others are right to urge Transport for Wales to provide two toilets per diesel train (whether a two or three-coach unit) on the new rolling stock for the Wales-Manchester service and other long journeys.

One Sunday, in Arriva Trains Wales days, I joined the train in Manchester for the journey to Bridgend. The only toilet was locked off as it was overflowing and blocked and, although there were still 45 minutes before we were due to leave, the guard told me nothing could be done as Arriva did not have a maintenance base in Manchester.

The three-and-a-halfhour journey as far as Cardiff provided everyone (except for those anxious for the toilet) with scenes reminiscent of silent movie comedies.

At every stop at which the station had toilets, the guard announced this amenity... and we waited while a horde of men (yes, just men) poured out of the train and raced madly either to the convenience nearby or to the bridge to cross the line.

Then there was the sprint back and the hope that we had not left anyone stranded.

Train travel should be guaranteed tranquillity and comfort, something to look forward to. When we moved from the wretched franchise system to a Welsh Government-owned, arm’s-length company, Trafnidiaeth Cymru, I heaved a sigh of relief.

However, this ridiculous refusal to satisfy demands for a second toilet makes me wonder if the old Arriva staff have simply moved to the new set-up.

The passenger, the customer, is always right. There needs to be genuine, not spurious, consultation before new train designs are agreed.