Changing Places Toilets for Transport

Changing Places Toilets for Transport Hubs & Motorway Service Stations

Changing Places facilities in Transport Hubs allow those who need them to travel further in safety and comfort. With only 0.5% of Train Stations and 20% of Motorway Service Stations having a fully accessible facility, there is a lot of scope for improvement in terms of making our transport more inclusive.

£300 million has been set aside by the government to improve inclusivity, with £2 million of this dedicated to installing Changing Places facilities in Motorway Service Stations. This is a really positive step, but there is still a long way to go for other transport provisions.

Special Considerations / Legislation:

Legislative Requirements Jan 2021

Under the Government’s new Changing Places rules, which came into force in January 2021, motorway service areas and transport hubs with a capacity for 350 or more people, may be required to install a Changing Places toilet if it is a new build or the building is undergoing a major refurbishment. Download the changes to the Building Regulations

Access & Signage

It is important that your Changing Places toilet is easy to access within your venue, including clear signage to direct visitors to the facility. The Aveso design team can advise you when it comes to access requirements as well as offer tips and guidance on signage.

Checks & Maintenance

It is important that regular checks are made to CP facilities at transport hubs and motorway services. This is to ensure that all equipment is in working order and ready for next use. Large volumes of people may be using the toilet, so hygiene and working equipment is paramount

General Public Access

Have a view to making your Changing Places toilet as accessible as possible to visitors and the general public. This offers a safe and accessible facility for the local community as well as your customers/visitors

Added room for luggage

It is important to consider extra room for luggage in a transport hub. Changing Places are already larger than standard accessible toilets to cater for added equipment and room for carers, but this does not allow for luggage space.

Consider including showers

Transport hubs and motorway services may require shower facilities within their Changing Places room, to cater for people who have travelled long distances and would like the use of a shower.

Branding & Theming

Think about ways you can tie in your Changing Places toilet with your brand. Aveso can use our experience to offer our own advice on ways to set your facility apart.

Equality Act 2010

A Changing Places toilet facility should be provided in all large railway stations (category A). The Changing Places facility should be in addition to, not instead of, the provision of unisex accessible WCs’ – Accessible train station design for disabled people: A code of practice.

 
 
 

CASE STUDIES

The Business Case:

The total inclusive tourism market is worth over £12bn1. Research shows businesses can potentially benefit from longer stays and more spend from the group where a member of the party has a disability. Providing Changing Places not only allow Changing Places users to enjoy the services available but also offer a new or enhanced stream of revenue to Theme Parks and Attractions.

Discover the Business Case

1 – Great Britain Tourism Survey 2015.