TRAIN drivers are not drinking water, tea or coffee when on duty to avoid having to go to the toilet due to a lack of clean lavvies, according to their union Aslef.

Aslef said staff and passengers deserved to have access to decent toilets and washing facilities.

The union said that problems workers have to accessing clean toilets during their working day was a “real problem” on the railway.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “It’s an occupational health and safety issue as well as one of basic human rights.

“Access to toilets and washing facilities is essential for good public health and to prevent the spread of disease.

“The pandemic has thrown into stark relief the importance of hygiene and access to adequate toilet and hand-washing facilities in the prevention of the spread of transmissible diseases.

“When the train and freight-operating companies are commissioning a new train they should build and design it with a staff toilet on board.

“Some firms are fitting camping toilets on old trains and, while not great, freight drivers say a camping toilet is better than a bush.”