Feasibility study into platform toilet

A DUNDEE disability charity which campaigned for a Changing Places toilet at the city’s new train station said it was not kept updated on progress on the facility.

Pamis had asked rail bosses to provide the space, which has more room and equipment than a standard accessible toilet and is suitable for people with profound physical and learning disabilities.

ScotRail said it would look into whether there is scope to provide the facility on the platform.

However, a Pamis spokeswoman revealed the organisation had not had a meeting with anyone from ScotRail or Dundee City Council since November.

She added the organisation was finally contacted last week, but only after highlighting their concerns in the press.

Maureen Phillip, director of the Tayside branch, said: “We had a meeting back in November when we were told about the possibility of a feasibility study.

“Since then we haven’t had a meeting with anyone about it.

“We weren’t approached for advice on how to build such a facility.

“Of course we welcome the fact that Changing Places are now being considered, but these facilities really should be a given. Being able to go to the toilet is a human right.”

North East MSP Bill Bowman called for the council to commit to making sure Changing Places standard toilets are considered at the design stage for any new public buildings.

A ScotRail Alliance spokesperson said: “We will be undertaking a feasibility study to investigate how we could bring a Changing Places facility to Dundee station.

“We will be working closely with Pamis to assess how these solutions suggested by this study best meet the needs of our customers.”