The Conservative Government has provided City of York Council with £244,386 as part of the £30million Changing Places Fund.
Changing Places toilets are larger accessible toilets for people who cannot use standard accessible facilities, with equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches, and space for carers. These facilities are vital for people unable to use standard accessible toilets and for their family and carers.
It is estimated that there are currently only around 1,300 Changing Places toilets in England. This funding will significantly boost this number and increase provision in places where Changing Places toilets are most needed. There are already 11 Changing Place Toilets in York, including at the railway station, the central library and next to the market, and this funding will add six more.
The government’s ministerial disability champion, Eddie Hughes MP, 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.”
In February, Conservative councillors proposed extra funding for public toilets but Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors voted against our budget motion.
