Southeastern has opened its first Changing Places toilet at Margate Railway Station.
The facility supports people with a range of needs that aren’t met by standard accessible toilets.
It’s the first toilet of its kind to open at a station managed by Southeastern and includes specialist features, including height-adjustable changing bench, hoist, adjustable sink, shower, and additional space for wheelchairs and carers.
Tina Owusu, Southeastern’s Head of Inclusive Customer Experience, said: “Margate is the perfect location for Southeastern’s first-ever Changing Places toilet as thousands of families pass through the station every year.
“This state-of-the-art facility will open up travel opportunities to people who otherwise may not have been able to travel by train.
“We are working hard to improve accessibility across the network as part of our inclusive passenger-focused approach.”
As well as being available to passengers, the facility is also open to members of the public. It’s located on Platform 1 and can be accessed using a RADAR key.
The project was delivered with support from Muscular Dystrophy UK and CareSpaces. It was funded by the Department for Transport.
Rob Burley, Director of Care, Campaigns and Support at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “We are delighted that Southeastern has opened its first Changing Places toilet, demonstrating a real commitment to opening up the rail network to as many people as possible.
“We know that without Changing Places toilets, an estimated 250,000 people across the UK, including many with a muscle wasting and weakening condition, are forced to limit their journeys and may even feel unable to travel outside of their home.
“Muscular Dystrophy UK is proud to co-chair the Changing Places Consortium and to have worked with the team at Southeastern and the Department of Transport to make this possible.”
Simon Lightwood MP, Minister for Local Transport, added: “We are committed to championing the rights of disabled people and those with restricted mobility, enabling everyone to travel with confidence.
“Having a Changing Places facility in Margate is important for disabled people using the station – supporting them to travel how they want.”
Full details of the locations of Changing Places facilities, and how to access them, can be found on the Changing Places website.
Well done South Eastern. Really impressed.
What a waste of money. tiny, tiny number of people will ever use the “special” facilities when they have coped with normal provisions for most of their lives.
The world has gone mad in wasting money.
It is hard enough for the disabled community to travel and engage in the same life you and others enjoy. What would you suggest? That we all stay at home?
What is normal provision? A toilet you can’t actually even get into?
The depressing reality is, a lot of folks plan where they go and what they can do, based on what facilities might be available. Usually this means you can’t go.
Indeed, just hope it can be secured against vandalism. People do not understand the problem of limited mobility, incontinence issues due to age or illness. Those who think it a waste of money now, just might be grateful in the future.
Ducs, you can just say you’re ableist you know? You don’t have to coach your language. Everyone can see your hatred towards disabled folk.
What’s next Gender Neutral Loos??
You wouldn’t get those in my local The Artillery Arms.
No that’s right, because the loos in that pub are up stairs. As such, you are unlikely to get many disabled folks in there at all.
Hardly something to celebrate.
Why would you have an issue with providing toilet / facilities for people with severe disabilities?
Very strange. I’ll assume you didnt read or understand the article properly.
Making assumptions about disability when oblivious to challenges facing those unable to use able bodied facilities; typical lack of knowledge or understanding.
It’s about time companies started thinking about disability more ,my wife is disabled and it makes journeys very hard and most of the time impossible, l would like southeastern rail to go one step further and keep the disabled areas on the trains clear ,the times l get on the train with my wife in her wheelchair and there is people in the disabled area with bikes etc and they will not move so l can get there with my wife and wheelchair.
Should the disabled spaces be kept clear when there are no disabled passengers in the carriage, and several (perhaps only a bit didabled) people standing?
I think the challenge is, the disabled area might be free. A bike goes in. Then a wheelchair user gets on, and there’s nowhere for them to sit.
I’m astonished folks won’t move when this happens. It is utterly depressing, unimaginable really. But sadly sometimes true.
Similarly when the tea trolley (alas missing on HS1) sails past silently, missing any blind passengers. This happens regularly on GWR.
I miss the luggage carriages they had on the old slam-door trains, made putting bikes on so much easier!