Stourbridge bus drivers left without toilets

Bus drivers in Stourbridge are being caught short as £7million upgrade works to the bus station have left them without staff toilets, it emerged today.

The station, in Foster Street East, has closed while the 18-month project takes place. Drivers are allowed to use the facilities at the Age Concern centre in St John's Road - but it is only open between 8.30am and 3pm, meaning those on a late shift are left without a loo.

Bosses from National Express were today negotiating a deal with Age Concern staff for longer opening hours.

Centre manager Joe Green said: "We have opened our facilities for the bus drivers to use, and were in a meeting today talking to National Express about extending opening hours so we can accommodate them later in the day and at weekends."

It comes after claims by passengers that bus drivers working until midnight were having to go to the toilet in public alleyways.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "One of the drivers said apparently they are having to walk into an alleyway and go there. Surely they should have something far better than an alleyway for bus drivers to go in - it's not very hygienic."