In message of Sat, 24 Jan 2009
23:06:49 in uk.transport.london, solar penguin
writes

Ian Jelf wrote:

In message , Walter Briscoe
writes

Ickenham FM toilets are locked 247 outside the gateline, but
available on customer request. Some parts of the network seem to
think vandalism/anti-social behaviour is a reason for permanent
service closure.

That seems to happen at Perivale.

On the other hand, at Harrow on the Hill and Alperton I've found very
helpful staff, even when loos were closed. In fact, those two places
stick in my mind as where I've received "service with a smile" from LU
staff.

Oh add West Ruislip to that, too. And North Ealing. At various
times over the years staff have opened toilets there just for me/us.
The one at North Ealing actually let me into the ladies' loo, once!

The toilets at Bank are closed at weekends. And they're run by the
council so TfL staff can't even open them for you.

The City of London is unlikely to be impressed by being described as
"the council".
My record says "outside gateline, by exit 3, 08.00-18.15 M-F,
10.00-16.00 S&S".
The map marks Bank with a dagger symbol for which the key says: "Toilet
not managed by London Underground. You may be charged for using the
facilities. Ask staff for information."

The toilets at Bank are free. It did - I can't say it does - have the
problem that the opening hours are only shown when open. Westminster's
Piccadilly Circus facilities have the same problem. The Monument
facilities - underground at the bottom of Gracechurch Street - are not
and should be daggered as the City runs them, too. I did not flag such
problems with the map in my email of 12 January for which I am bursting
for a reply.

Alternatives include Wetherspoon's The Green Man, No. 1 Poultry which is
open Mon–Fri 7.30am–midnight; Sat/Sun closed and Liverpool Street "D
with RADAR in mainline station next to platform 10; FM downstairs
opposite platform 10 0.30. FM McDonalds on left outside station after
going up escalator opposite platform 3."

I am conscious that my information is biased and incomplete. e.g. I do
not know when toilets are open at Liverpool Street. It has never been an
issue for me.

I recommend a RADAR key for anyone p***ing (travelling) around London.
They can be bought by anyone and VAT free by anyone with a disability
for Customs purposes - wider than the Freedom Pass criteria. I bought
mine from http://www.radar.org.uk/radarwebsite/tabid/41/default.aspx.
I paid 3.50 + VAT as I did not realise my disability allowed exemption.
I would not recommend the toilet location book at a tenner as its
addresses do not include post codes. Service is slow. It is possible to
buy cheaper at EBay, etc. but why bother for such a small sum which, I
trust, contributes to extending the scheme.

Can I try the group with a supplementary question?
I chased TfL when I found that some of its accessible toilets had locks
which are not RADAR-enabled. I was told they would be corrected before
2009.

Affected stations:

Harrow & Wealdstone in ticket hall on right; no RADAR; next to platform 1 northbound.
Hounslow East inside gateline on right, no RADAR or generic access
Kilburn D platform 2 southbound no RADAR; FM on right in ticket hall 0.20 slot access
Pinner No RADAR; all on platform 2 southbound
Stratford BDFM by escalator next to LO platform 2 - no RADAR; D with RADAR by escalator next to LO platform 1
and
Willesden Green Before gateline in ticket hall no RADAR

My information on Stratford is obsolete since LO platforms moved.

The question is: are all the wheelchair-accessible toilets at those
stations freely accessible or accessible with a RADAR key?
A bonus will point out the toilets are in places which are not,
themselves, wheelchair accessible.
--
Walter Briscoe