A fully accessible Changing Places toilet has been installed at Edinburgh Waverley station.
The new facility is located in the travel hall, and is part of a drive to give those with even the most profound disabilities the confidence to use the station, and make rail travel more accessible for everyone.
As well as Edinburgh Waverley, Scotland's two other busiest stations, Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street, now all have Changing Places. Passengers wishing to use the Changing Places room just need to ask a member of staff.
Unlike standard accessible toilets, which don't meet the needs of all disabled people, the Changing Places facility is suitable for everyone, including those with profound and multiple disabilities.
It features a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a ceiling-mounted hoist, a non-slip floor, a height-adjustable washbasin, an emergency alarm, and enough space for up to two carers as detailed in British Standard BS8300: 2009. They are in addition to standard accessible toilets.
Patrick Henry, Network Rail's station manager at Edinburgh Waverley, said: “We are delighted with the addition of a Changing Place facility at Edinburgh Waverley in an effort to ensure our facilities are as accessible as possible, for all our passengers.
“It is vital that our rail network is accessible and inclusive for everyone.
“The refurbishment of our main toilet facilities will also create a more pleasant and comfortable experience for all our passengers and station users.”
Jenny Miller, CEO of PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society), said: “PAMIS are delighted that this key rail station within Scotland has now opened a changing places toilet.
“This will not only broaden opportunities for travel across Scotland for people who require this facility but also opens up inclusive tourism in Edinburgh, which has in the past fallen short in the provision for people who cannot use an accessible toilet.
“It is fantastic to see Network Rail taking forward inclusion and access across major stations and we look forward to working with them on other key rail locations to enable full access to our beautiful country for everyone.”
The Changing Places campaign supports the rights of people with profound and multiple learning, and/or other physical disabilities, to access their community. Without Changing Places toilets, carers are forced to change their loved ones on toilet floors or have to stay at home.
For information and advice on changing places facilities in Scotland email changing.places@pamis.org.uk, for England, Wales and Northern Ireland email changingplaces@musculardystrophyuk.org
