Two new ‘Changing Places’ toilets are being introduced at Knab Rock and Rhossili as part of a £300,000 investment in improving Swansea’s public toilet facilities.
The Changing Places are specialist facilities for people who live with complex disabilities and are part of a commitment to improve the accessibility of popular destinations, across Swansea.
Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said work on the changing places facilities was due to start in the coming months and would be subject to planning permission.
He said: “We’ve agreed to seek planning permission for Changing Places at Knab Rock and Rhossili because feedback from consultation with a range of groups showed that disabled people wanted the same level of access to these hugely-popular locations as everyone else.”
Cllr Anderson added: “We’ve already refurbished the community toilets in Clydach and at the Botanical Gardens in Singleton Park and more work is planned for other facilities too.
“We’re introducing new, modern signage at all our toilets so people can get all the information they need about opening times and locations of other facilities using QR codes to look-up details using their smart phones.”
He added: “Public toilets are important to all of us. The council invests heavily in improving as well as cleaning and maintaining facilities. But we’re in the hands of the public and we need everyone to play their part by treating toilets with respect and to report faults or concerns to us promptly.
“It’s easy to do via a smartphone.”
The package of measures are part of policy commitments pledges signed off by Full Council in July, which promised to make progress on a range of priorities that matter to the people of Swansea within 100 days.
The improvements at Clydach included new tiling and floors, replacement of damaged guttering and doors, an upgrade for the disabled toilet and a deep clean and re-painting of the facilities.
The facelift at Singleton Park also included new handrails, roof repairs, tiling and damaged door replacement.
Cllr Anderson said Swansea already has 10 Changing Places facilities located around the city, including Caswell Bay, the LC, Swansea Market, the Glynn Vivian and Brangwyn Hall. The latest to be installed was at Swansea Arena.
He said the council has been working with the British Toilet Association, local interest groups and councillors to produce plans that will help guide progress in future years, but the changing places initiative was something everyone could be proud of.
He said; “Changing Places are roomy facilities with hoists and other equipment available so severely disabled people and their families can make use of them to change clothes and attend to their other needs, when necessary.
“The feedback we’ve had has been very positive with people saying that it gives them and their families confidence to get out and about, knowing they’re unlikely to be very far from a changing place if they need one.”
