by Kevin Burton
Ah Hounslow!
On the desktop of my office computer is a picture of the “Hounslow Central” sign which was in front of our nearest train station while we were on our honeymoon in London.
Our adventures started there that week, and took us all around the capital city, to Herod’s and down to Lancing to visit our friend Linda.
My new bride saved my bacon when she brought along one of those electric converter devices, when I didn’t think we needed one.
Olivia Newton John on the tele, free drinks from the hotel staff. Oh, the memories!
So Wednesday I saw that Hounslow is in the news again, this time for something more prosaic.
Cue the toilet flushing sound effect and read on for the story of a controversial re-located bathroom.
“A West London charity is furious that a Transport for London (TfL) staff toilet dubbed ‘the turdis’ by some residents has appeared right next to the building it’s based in,” writes Ruby Gregory in My London.
“Staff working for New London Educational Trust (NLET), which is based in Sceptre House on Staines Road in Hounslow, say they feel ignored by the council after they repeatedly raised concerns about the new location for the toilet for bus drivers.”
“In 2016, a feasibility study carried out by consultancy firm project management group WYG on behalf of Hounslow Council identified four potential locations to relocate the toilet, which used to be opposite the bus stand but was moved as part of the council’s plans to build a new Civic Centre there.
“ The charity, which specializes in training, education and employment support, argues the other locations identified in the 2016 feasibility study were overlooked and the new toilet is “out of the way’ from all the bus stops,” Gregory wrote.
“A spokesperson for Hounslow Council said that it couldn’t comment on planning decisions.”
“Ian Whitehead, director of operations at NLET, said: “We even offered our toilet facilities for the bus drivers… that offer was ignored. We were absolutely staggered, particularly given that we found out that other sites had been identified in a feasibility study two years previously. We engaged with a consultant to advise us and we lodged a formal complaint which included several reasons and concerns why we obviously wouldn’t want a toilet by our entrance.”
“However, by April 2019, the plans were approved by the council. According to council documents, the plans received one objection which raised several concerns over potential smells coming from the toilet, it being an ‘obstruction’ to Sceptre House and said it was poor in design,” Gregory wrote.
“The old toilet was located opposite the bus stand.”
“Just days before the three-year planning deadline was supposed to end, NLET claims there was still no sign of a toilet. “We pointed out to the council that they had missed their own three-year deadline to commence the works,” Whitehead said.
“We were absolutely dismayed that within a couple of weeks of telling we received an email which contained two photos where a couple of paving slabs had been lifted up and a barrier put round it claiming that the works had commenced five days before the deadline, before the council’s own planning deadline had expired. It’s such an obvious ploy to ensure that the three-year deadline was met, it’s ridiculous,” Whitehead said.
“We don’t even have bus stops in front of our building, buses don’t stop where we are, they stop elsewhere, why on earth has it been put there? There were other locations identified and yet it ended up in front of ours, it’s crazy,” Whitehead fumed. “We’ve got this eyesore five yards from our front door, it’s absolutely embarrassing.”
“Whitehead claims the council hasn’t engaged with NLET to have a ‘grown-up conversation’, while residents have told them the toilet looks like the Tardis from Doctor Who. “One piped up and said it looks more like ‘the turdis’, it’s absolutely ridiculous,” Whitehead said.
“Rosie Trew, TfL’s Head of Bus Service Delivery, said: “It’s really important that bus drivers are able to access toilet facilities while working. This toilet was installed by Hounslow Council to provide a replacement for toilets that were removed nearby which were used by drivers. We are always keen to work with councils to be mindful of local residents when installing facilities to ensure that the locations chosen for them are appropriate.”
This post is over now and I’ve got to go. And when you’ve got to go……
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