Free sanitary products at city stations

TRAIN stations are to provide free sanitary products for female passengers after a plea from a campaigning MSP.

Labour’s Monica Lennon said she was “delighted” station managers for Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley had agreed to take the step.

Ms Lennon has recently consulted on a proposed member’s bill that would place a legal duty on Scottish ministers to ensure there is free access to sanitary products in Scotland, including in schools, colleges and universities.

She wrote to Alex Hynes, the managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, which includes Network Rail, urging action to provide free sanitary products.

It emerged earlier this month that machines at Edinburgh Waverley charge £3 for a packet of four tampons, while toilets at Glasgow Central do not provide any access to sanitary products.

In correspondence Network Rail said it was “delighted to confirm” it could support Ms Lennon’s request and was looking i nto how soon free provision could be rolled out.

The MSP said: “This is an excellent victory for the campaign to end period poverty.

“Access to sanitary products in everyday settings is vital, especially as the onset of periods can be unpredictable.

“I’m delighted that Network Rail are now committed to implementing this.”