Changing Places Toilet for all opened in Wantage
THE Wantage community has come together to help fund a new Changing Places Toilet in the public toilet block in Portway.
The Changing Places toilet is a unisex facility that is specially designed with extra space and equipment so it can be used by people with a range of disabilities.
Vale of White Horse District Council secured a £100,000 grant from the Government for the toilet, as well as adding £45,000 from developer contributions, a contribution from Wantage Town Council of £12,000 with the Council contributing £66,500 to cover the cost of the total refurbishment of the building. The building now contains the following facilities:
- Changing Places Toilet
- An accessible toilet
- A female toilet
- A male toilet and
- A unisex toilet
With a modern, clean design, the new loo comes with low energy LED lights and sensors, linked with solar panels to reduce electricity consumption, as well as improved hand washing and drying machines to reduce water use.
The toilets were opened on Monday (January 29) and details of the Changing Places toilets are now available on the Changing Places website, which lists accessible facilities across the country.
Councillor Andy Crawford, ward member for Wantage Charlton for Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “This toilet will help anyone, regardless of their disability, enjoy everything Wantage has to offer without the worry of needing the bathroom.”
Councillor Patrick O’Leary, fellow ward member for Wantage Charlton for Vale of White Horse District Council, added: “I’m delighted that we have been able to utilise developer contributions and secure government funding, alongside support from the Town Council, to deliver these much-needed facilities that will make a big difference to the town.”
Dr Angela Dunford, Mayor of Wantage, said: “The opening of these new toilets will be a huge benefit for all of us. Having good facilities is very important. Thanks to all that made this happen.”
ENDS
