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Workers on the Crossrail project are suffering from mental and physical exhaustion with some even having to walk two miles to get to a toilet, it has been claimed.

The Mirror gained access to internal company documents, revealing emails sent by employees who say they even have to queue 20 minutes when arriving and leaving work as there is only one turnstile for workers to go through.

One email sent on September 27 by an employee industrial relations manager, said: "One turnstile used for entering and exiting site.

"Creates long queues and wait time. Operatives leaving 15 mins early to mitigate delays, further deductions in pay.

"Volatile environment with overcrowding/cramped conditions."

(Image: Getty Images/Dan Kitwood)

The email, from an ATC (the joint venture of joint venture of Alstom, TSO and Costain) tunneling firm email account also said: "No toilets in tunnel this morning and no communication to workforce"

The email said employees had to walk two miles to the nearest toilet, and that they were "exhausted physically and mentally."

Another email from an ATC project construction engineer, the company building the railway, was sent on September 12, it acknowledged that welfare is a challenge.

"From our visit it’s clear there is an opportunity to do more, there is available space in cross passages for Portaloo’s and in platform areas," the email said.

“A resolution to welfare issues is certain to enhance site morale and productivity, it is estimated up to 2 hours per shift is lost alone walking to and from the current welfare facilities for lunch and comfort breaks required."

A total of 1,000 employees are working on the £15billion project and so far one worker has died after concrete fell on him and two others have suffered serious injuries.

Jerry Swain, from the construction trade union UCATT, said: “Workers are being forced to operate in degrading, dehumanising and dangerous conditions."

The union accused ATC of failing to pay workers properly and then filming them during a protest over pay outside the Crossrail site in central London in September.

(Image: Getty Images/Dan Kitwood)

In response to allegations, a spokesman for Crossrail said : “Safety has always been, and continues to be, the number one value for Crossrail and its contractors and is critical to the delivery of the project.

"Crossrail has a good safety record and it sets the most stringent contractor safety requirements in the industry.”

A spokesman from ATC said: “ATC is working with Crossrail to ensure that we provide a safe working environment, with appropriate welfare facilities for our staff. This is a priority for us.

“Through an open dialogue with colleagues we have taken action to address and resolve challenges as they have arisen.”

The Crossrail project, which will run through central London, connecting Berkshire to Essex, is due to be complete in 2019.

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