The Mayor of London has announced a £3 million yearly investment in the biggest-ever improvement of toilet facilities across Transport for London's (TfL) network.

The plan, part of the 'Equity in Motion' initiative, aims to make London's transport network more accessible, fair, and inclusive.

It will see new free-to-use, accessible toilets introduced alongside the continued refurbishment of existing facilities.

TfL aims to ensure that passengers are always within 20 minutes of a toilet, without having to change trains.

To achieve this, it has engaged with customers, campaigners, and staff to identify the most beneficial locations for new toilets.

Factors such as whether the station is a terminus, operates night services, has step-free access, high passenger footfall, proximity to other toilets on the network, and onward connections were considered in the selection process.

TfL is also committed to converting existing non-accessible toilets at Amersham, Green Park, and Sudbury Hill Underground stations and Seven Sisters Overground station into accessible facilities during the project's first phase.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "Toilet provision is critical for many Londoners and visitors, and can even determine whether somebody travels on public transport at all.

"That’s why I’m planning to make the biggest ever investment to increase toilet provision across TfL services and boost accessibility."

In addition to this, TfL has earmarked several locations for new toilet provision in the first round of works.

These include Camden Road, Clapton, New Cross Gate, South Tottenham, and White Hart Lane Overground stations, as well as Morden and Hammersmith Underground stations.

London Transport Commissioner Andy Lord said: "Access to toilets is important for all customers when using public transport, but is a vital enabler for some, especially older customers, people with disabilities, and those with young children."

Construction work to deliver new and accessible toilets at these locations is expected to start within the next year, following detailed assessments to determine viability.

TfL is also working to improve the cleaning of facilities, having made improvements to more than one-third of London Underground stations with toilet provision in recent years.

Currently, there are toilets at 145 TfL sites, with an additional 40 toilets within stations on the network that are not managed by TfL.

TfL has created a handy 'Toilet Tube Map,' showing all the toilet facilities across the TfL network, including baby changing facilities and those which are wheelchair accessible.

Staff are available at stations to assist customers in locating the nearest public and accessible toilets, especially in cases where toilets are not available on-site. They can also provide access to accessible toilets that may require a RADAR key.

John McGeachy, campaigns manager at Age UK London, added: "One in five people do not leave home as much as they would like to, because of consideration around a lack of public toilets – it’s called the ‘loo leash’.

"When it comes to the transport network, that can mean some people deciding not to make a particular journey.

"Public toilets are not something we talk about too often, but the reality is that better provision can transform lives."