A fully accessible Changing Places toilet facility is now available at London Euston station.
The new loo opened today (Friday 25) as Network Rail continues to make rail travel more accessible for everyone.
Standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of all disabled people.
A Changing Places toilet facility has:
- a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench
- a ceiling mounted hoist
- a centrally placed toilet with space either side
- non-slip floor
- a height-adjustable washbasin
- an emergency alarm
The Changing Places toilet is opposite the existing loos on the eastern side of the station.
It’s hoped the investment will give those with profound and multiple disabilities, their carers, assistants and families the confidence to travel through Euston station.
Loraine Martins, Network Rail’s director of diversity and inclusion, said: “It is extremely important that we do all we can to ensure our facilities are as accessible as possible, for all our passengers, and I’m delighted that this Changing Places facility is now open.
“We want to offer the best possible experience for anyone who travels through Euston station, and this is an important step forward in making the rail network more accessible and inclusive for everyone.”
Karen Hoe, Changing Places manager for Muscular Dystrophy UK, which co-chairs the Changing Places Consortium, said: “We’re thrilled that London Euston has opened a Changing Places toilet today, and this will make travel more accessible for people with severe disabilities, including those living with muscle-wasting conditions.
“It’s a basic human right that everyone should be able to use a toilet that is appropriate for their needs with safety and dignity, and Changing Places toilets are a lifeline for the 250,000 people across the UK who rely on then.
“We encourage more train stations to install a Changing Places toilet to help tackle the exclusion that so many disabled people face on a daily basis. Doing so would help make the travel experience more inclusive for people who rely on these toilets.”
Passengers can ask a member of staff to get access to the Changing Places room or use the contact information posted outside the toilet entrance.
To find out how Network Rail is working to improve the railway for everyone visit: www.networkrail.co.uk/inclusive-design
