Campaigners call for more public toilets for Chester's disabled

DETERMINED campaigners are pushing for more public toilets to be built for disabled residents in Chester.

They say visitors who are handicapped often need extra space for changing and other tasks and are urging council leaders to take a serious look at the issue.

Last year Chester became one of the first areas in the country to launch a Community Toilet Scheme, which aimed to provide improved access to clean and safe public toilets through a partnership between the local authority and businesses.

The scheme, which came after pressure groups campaigned on behalf of the millions of visitors to Chester every year, involved a network of shops, pubs and restaurants which allowed full use of their toilet facilities without the need to purchase goods.

It also worked to increase awareness of the availability of such amenities.Business which signed up to the scheme included Burger King, Foregate Street, Tesco, Frodsham Street, Little Roodee Café, The Groves Bar and Bistro and the Slug and Lettuce, Bridge Street.

Public toilet facilities can also be found in Frodsham Street, Princes Street, The Groves, Union Street and Grosvenor Park.

However, some residents now say many of these toilets are not equipped deal with visitors with severe disabilities and their carers.

Colin Pinches, of Ullswater Crescent, Plas Newton, is involved in a national campaign called Changing Places which is pushing to increase the number of facilities for disabled people throughout the country.

He said: “I think it is a disgrace Cheshire West and Chester Council do not provide enough public toilets that meet the needs of local people with severe disabilities.“Whilst we have one in the area this is far from enough.”

Colin said people with profound and multiple learning disabilities need Changing Places toilets, with a hoist, changing bench and plenty of space.

“Without them, carers are often forced to change their disabled loved-ones on dirty toilet floors,” he said.

“I urge the council to install more Changing Places toilets. People with profound multiple learning disabilities should have the same opportunities as everyone else.“And carers have enough to contend with. Let’s not make their lives harder by denying them the right to basic public facilities.”


CWaC spokesman Mike McGivern said: “There are a number of shops which have a sticker in the window which says these toilets are available for public use as part of the campaign from last year.“The Chester City Centre Access Guide contains details of the Council-owned toilets that are wheelchair accessible.“Also, many have been spruced up in the last year so. The guide is available in DIAL House, Shopmobility, TIC, The Forum, Quaker Meeting House.”


To find out more about public toilets in Chester go to www.chester.gov.uk/communitytoilets. For details about the Changing Places campaign go to www.mencap.org.uk/changelives.