Work underway on £65,000 Changing Places toilets in Bingley

The Changing Places facilities in Myrtle Place in Bingley are set to open on an unconfirmed date in October after work on their foundations began this week.

A Changing Places facility is different to standard accessible toilets and is specifically for people with multiple and complex disabilities who have one or two assistants with them.

The room contains a toilet, fixed-track motorised hoist system, basin which has a height that can be altered and adult-sized changing bench. The facility will also include a shower.

A look inside a typical Changing Places facility

The facility will be accessible via a radar key and is attached to The Hub – the site used by Bingley Town Council in the centre of the town.

Bingley Town Council posted on its Facebook page this week: “Bingley's Changing Places Toilet.

“Update: We are pleased to announce that the work on the foundations for the Changing Places toilet have been taking place this week, with an estimated completion date in October.

“We will keep you posted on the confirmed date as soon as we have it.”

Councillor Steve Williams, chairman of the Changing Places Working group for the town council, says the Changing Places facility will attract more disabled visitors and their families to come to the town.

He said: “I‘m delighted. Everyone who wants the work to go ahead will be delighted.

“This will put Bingley on the map and make it more welcoming.

The Changing Places facility will be attached to The Hub, Bingley Town Council's building, in Myrtle Place, Bingley

“The types of facilities are vital. Many people don’t see the people who need to use these types of facilities as they are an invisible compromised society.

“It is a purpose-built pod. It is being built off-site and will be places there.”

A total of £20,000 of the £65,000 needed to complete the work in Bingley has come from a central government Changing Placers toilet grant.

There has been a long-running campaign for Changing Places toilets in Bingley town centre.

The drive was backed by a Bingley school for pupils with severe learning difficulties and complex needs in 2018.

The headteacher, staff and pupils of Hazelbeck and Beckfoot Trust, based in Wagon Lane, sent letters of support to the campaign.

Bingley Town Council recognised toilet facilities were needed to be made available for people with more complex needs.

It is hoped that when the toilet is made available in the autumn, more people will be able to enjoy the parks, shops and other business in Bingley.

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