£200k funds award for disabled toilets
NEARLY £200,000 of funding has been awarded to create “state-of-the-art” public toilets for severely disabled residents in Halton.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) released the cash as part of its £23.5m national Changing Places programme.
Halton Borough Council is to receive £195,000, which is expected to fund the installation of three specialised facilities around the borough.
DLUHC said the Changing Places toilets will be located in public places and tourist attractions to provide a “life-enhancing” boost to accessibility.
The department said there are at present more than 1,300 registered Changing Places toilets in England, which are larger than usual and aimed at people who cannot use standard toilets.
Features include hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches, and space for carers.
Parks, tourist attractions, zoos, cathedrals, museums, theatres, galleries, shopping centres, libraries and public buildings are all among the types of location that might be featured in the scheme.
The latest round of funding is expected to increase that number by more than 500 to 1,813.
A further £6.5m is scheduled to be allocated later in 2022 with a focus on areas with little or no access to Changing Places toilets.
Eddie Hughes MP, ministerial disability champion, said: “It goes without saying that people with severe disabilities, their families and carers should be able to go shopping, plan a day out or travel without needing to worry about whether they will have access to suitable toilet facilities.
“I am delighted that our funding today will help provide over 500 new Changing Places Toilets in England, enabling people to enjoy everything their local area has to offer with dignity and freedom.”