THE boss of a haulage firm has armed her drivers with an official health authority letter after several were barred from using toilet facilities when delivering freight.

Caroline Moody of Moody Logistics said there had been instances of drivers being told that loos were for employees only, but the situation has grown worse following Covid-19.

Denying drivers access to toilet facilities is illegal under health and safety legislation and the Cramlington-based firm has handed their drivers a letter from its local health authority confirming this.

The managing director said: “A number of our drivers have had issues around being able to go to the toilet or to wash their hands when making deliveries.

“Several companies, mainly the larger ones, clamped down and said their lavatories were for their staff only – even though our drivers are delivering their goods.

“This really is a backward step given the current advice on hygiene measures and washing your hands. Accessing toilet facilities is difficult at the best of times when you’re driving an HGV but preventing drivers using the loos is not only a health issue, it’s also degrading.”