Eight new state-of-the-art public toilet facilities for severely disabled people to be built in borough

Denehurst Park is to receive a Changing Places toilet

Eight new state-of-the-art public toilet facilities for severely disabled people are to be built across the Rochdale borough.

Funding has been allocated to 191 councils across England to install over 500 life-enhancing Changing Places toilets in public places and tourist attractions, dramatically increasing accessibility in areas where users want them most.

There are currently just over 1,300 registered Changing Places toilets in England – these are larger accessible toilets for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets, with equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches, and space for carers.

Rochdale Borough Council has confirmed that the new Changing Places toilets are planned for Denehurst Park; Rochdale Town Hall; Hollingworth Lake Country Park; Falinge Park; the Crown Oil Arena; Rochdale Railway Station; Heywood Sports Village and Middleton Arena.

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.

“I am delighted that our funding 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.”

Muscular Dystrophy UK co-chairs the Changing Places consortium and has been heavily involved throughout this process. The charity will be providing specialist expertise to support councils that are awarded funding.

Its Director of Care, Communications and Support, Robert Burley, said: “This announcement is life-changing news for the thousands of people and families who rely on Changing Places toilets when they are in public, because being able to use a toilet that is suitable for your needs is a basic human right.

“We look forward to supporting councils that have been awarded the funding with their Changing Places toilet installations, because they really do make a world of difference to those who depend on them.”

Rochdale MP Sir Tony Lloyd added: "This will make a huge difference to people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as other disabilities which limits their mobility to use standard accessible toilets.

"The current lack of these facilities means, for example, some children face being changed on public toilet floors.

"Some people may even minimise how much they drink during the day to avoid using the toilet, which is bound to have a physical impact on their health in terms of dehydration.

"No one should face the situation of avoiding to use the loo. These toilets will change this, and allow people to have their toiletry needs met in a dignified way."