Bolton enhances accessibility to facilities

Bolton Council have opened the new Topp Way four storey car park, which features an innovative 'Changing places' facility on the ground floor.

Under BS8300: 2009 Accessible Building Design, it is now best practice to include a 'Changing places' facility in any new-build or refurbishment programme affecting public buildings, with more than 150 such toilets already in the UK, and more opening every month.

The 'Changing places' toilet goes beyond a traditional 'disabled' WC, providing more usable space within, plus a height adjustable basin and changing bench, and hoist.

The Bolton facility further incorporates a Clos-o-Mat 'wash and dry' toilet, with the whole resource being designed, supplied and installed by Total Hygiene , the UK's leading supplier of disabled toileting solutions and sponsor of the Changing Places campaign.

The facility is the result of collaboration between the Council, car park operator NCP and Bolton's Shopmobility, who petitioned the Council to provide the funding for the toilet.

In addition to the 'Changing places' toilet, Topps Way car park features an 'intelligent' lighting system which switches the lights on only in areas of the car park being used or where natural light is insufficient, and five charging spots for electric vehicles.

Mike McNeil, contract manager for NCP Bolton, elaborated, "We looked into the whole concept of 'Changing places', and decided to use Total Hygiene, who took the project from design to installation, and who is providing after care to ensure the equipment within is maintained in the future".

"The 'Changing places' facility is already receiving good feedback in the short time it has been open".

"We hope the Topps Way car park with its extra facilities will offer something much more than just a place to park, and enable more people to get out and about in Bolton".

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