Bus drivers in London are urging Transport for London (TfL) to intervene after cockroach infestations were found in the vehicles. A number of buses and the rest areas for drivers are infested with the insects, as campaigners call for swift action. Video footage, seen by the BBC, highlights the problem as cockroaches were filmed in a driver's food container on October 7. Safety activists have now written to transport bosses to eradicate the issue.

Kevin Mustafa, a London bus safety campaigner, told the broadcaster: "The current state is untenable for drivers who already face demanding working conditions. Swift, transparent and decisive action will go a long way toward restoring trust, ensuring safety, and maintaining public confidence in London's bus services.

"London bus drivers are reporting persistent issues with cockroaches and unsanitary conditions onboard their vehicles. This is not a matter of occasional nuisance - many drivers describe infestations, and the situation is starting to pose real health, safety and wellbeing risks."

Campaigners are calling for a frequent deep clean of all buses, including the use of insecticidal and heat treatments.

TfL has responded by claiming such instances are rare and has launched an investigation into solving the issue.

However, the London Bus Forums group said "the cockroach reports are not isolated".

"They point to a wider failure to maintain safe and clean conditions for bus drivers," they added, and said this "a public health issue affecting both staff and passengers".

The group said drivers will be protesting on November 5 to demand safer conditions for both staff and the public, as well as the adoption of the Bus Drivers Bill of Rights.

A TfL spokesperson said: "We are committed to working together with operators to provide a clean environment for staff and customers.

"Most TfL welfare facilities are cleaned multiple times a day, and at a minimum daily, to maintain hygiene and safety standards. All buses are also cleaned every night before entering service and reports such as these are rare.

"We take any report seriously and are urgently investigating the specific incidents that have been raised.

"As with any reports, we will take appropriate action as part of the investigation, which can include taking buses out of service for inspection, deep cleans and treatment with specialist equipment if necessary.

"We would like to reassure staff that our operators would never take action against people raising concerns about welfare or safety and encourage any driver with concerns to contact their employer, their union, or contact us directly."