Residents in leafy suburb furious after 'Dr Who Tardis' toilet installed - only for use by bus drivers

Residents of a leafy suburb have been left furious after a ‘permanent portaloo’ was installed on their street – only for use by bus drivers.

The toilet, which resembles Dr Who’s Tardis, was apparently installed for use by bus drivers if they’re caught short in the area, but locals are concerned that the addition to the neighbourhood will drive down house prices.

Stephanie Willis, 33, said: “I was at work and saw it on Facebook and thought the image was photoshopped and I laughed.

“But after I started reading the comments I thought ‘oh my god this is real – I am furious.”

The toilet, which was built on the street in Biggin Hill, south east London, on December 4, where terraced houses sell for upwards of £300,000, is only for bus drivers, who carry a special access key.

The local council says it had no involvement with the toilet and has written to residents to explain that the transport authority does not need permission to install the convenience.

MORE: Childhood friend of pensioner Maureen Whale says her death after burglary at her flat was ‘horrendous’
MORE: British backpacker Grace Millane last seen at Auckland hotel with ‘male companion’

Bromley Council said: “We understand that this facility has been installed by TfL under permitted development rights.

“These are available to them as a bus operator, and therefore this is a development for which no planning permission is required.”

Stephanie, who only bought her house in February, added: “It has a PIN lock so it is probably for bus drivers because it isn’t public.

“I bought my first home this year and already it is devalued because there is a toilet outside.

“In the summer it will be smelly, it will attract rats and criminal activity – the glass window has already been smashed.”

Local councillor William Huntington-Thresher said the council has “urgently” tried to contact TfL to demand why residents were not warned.

He said: “While neither Bromley’s permission nor planning permission may be required, this does not mean that the views of local people can be disregarded.

“We are making TfL aware of the views of our residents to these installations at these unwelcome locations.

“We will continue to engage with TfL to provide them with the benefit of local knowledge and alert them to local issues and remain hopeful they will listen more often than at present.”

Nick Fairholme, director of project and programme delivery at TfL, said: “We are sorry that not all residents were aware of our plans to install a toilet for bus drivers in Biggin Hill before work began.

“The toilet is part of our work to improve conditions for London’s bus drivers and was installed in agreement with the London Borough of Bromley, but unfortunately our courtesy letters did not reach all residents.

“We are investigating how this happened to ensure it does not happen again.”