Class 707 ‘City Beam’ trains that Southeastern uses on its Metro routes in south-east London and parts of Kent are to be retro-fitted with accessible customer toilets.

When a neighbouring operator originally purchased the trains, customer toilets were not specified as part of their design requirements.

A multi-million-pound investment between Angel Trains and Southeastern will provide expanding access to customer toilets across Southeastern’s network.

After contractual agreements have been finalised in the next few weeks, detailed designs will be produced so that accessible toilets can be fitted to all 30 of Southeastern’s Class 707 ‘City Beam’ trains.  

It is expected that the toilets will be larger and more accessible than normal toilets, and have a wide electric sliding door entrance suitable for wheelchair users, and for customers with other accessibility requirements, or with children, pushchairs, or luggage.

As part of its programme of making it simpler and easier to access public toilets across its network, earlier this year, Southeastern opened its first ‘Changing Places’ toilet in Margate installed new accessible toilets at Canterbury East and Herne Bay, and is making many station toilets suitable for passengers with a stoma.

Earlier this year, Southeastern made changes to its customer information screens so that they can show if on-board toilets on a particular train are working so that customers can decide whether to travel or wait for another train. The operator has also employed extra staff to clean and maintain facilities.

Along with the provision of on-board toilets on the City Beam trains, Transport for London is also committed to expanding the number of toilets at stations.

David Jordan, COO of Angel Trains commented that the installation of new, accessible toilets on all Southeastern’s Class 707 ‘City Beam’ trains will make a considerable improvement to the on board journey experience for commuter and leisure passengers alike and marks another key step in our comprehensive programme of investment to deliver modern trains that are fit for purpose now and for many years to come.

Southeastern is also using AI and LiDAR technology to improve accessibility with level boarding on its new trains.

“We know how important it is for customers to be able to simply and quickly access toilets when they are travelling. Earlier this year we welcomed the final two City Beams and although they are our newest trains, we knew there was more we could still do and so we are looking forward to detailed design work starting early in the New Year and the first units to arrive with us in due course.”

Mark Johnson, Engineering Director at Southeastern