NR NR/GN/CIV/200/04 ISSUE 1 PDF

The Design Guidance for Public Toilets in Stations is intended to promote a common design approach based on the principle of ‘putting passengers first’ across the Stations portfolio.

During 2019 Network Rail undertook a pilot WC upgrade project at London Victoria, based on a brief developed with Design Council CABE and senior Network Rail representatives. This project represents a step-change in design quality and environmental conditions within one of the UK’s most heavily used stations. Customer feedback has been closely monitored since opening and has been overwhelmingly positive.

Purpose

As part of Network Rail’s commitment to putting passengers first, its senior station’s team set an objective to provide world class WC facilities as toilets are upgraded in Stations over the next few years.

Secondly, we asked whether the railway itself had its own historic precedents that shared some of the timeless quality we see at Rothesay, the Barbican and the V&A. The answer, of course, is yes. Peckham Rye’s extraordinary loos, hidden from view for decades but now lovingly restored are a casestudy in beautifully detailed mosaic and glazed brick with full height cubicles, heavy doors and their own substantial porcelain and brass fittings. The loos at South End Green are no less magnificent and there is another example at Manchester Victoria; this has been modified over time but the essence of these elegant old loos is still visible. We have also seen fragments of wonderful art nouveau wall tiles in the basement at Charing Cross. No doubt more should reveal themselves over time.