Disabled visitors and their carers will now find a new accessible toilet facility at Upper Hundreds Car Park in Aylesbury town centre which can be accessed 24 hours a day.

The Changing Places Room offers a wider range of services than a standard accessible (disabled) toilet. The facilities in the room at Upper Hundreds include:

• Adjustable height changing bench, suitable for adults
• Peninsula automatic wash-and-dry toilet
• Ceiling hoist and track – but users must bring their own sling
• Adjustable height washbasin
• Wide paper roll dispenser
• Hand dryer
• Privacy screen

Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Town Centre Regeneration, said:
“I am delighted that at this very difficult time, Buckinghamshire Council has been able to continue to invest in much needed facilities for visitors to Aylesbury town centre. Standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of all people with a disability. People with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well people with other physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis often need extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably. These needs are met by Changing Places toilets. This will make a significant difference to many people who do or who want to visit Aylesbury town centre.”

Sarah Westacott who has been campaigning for a ‘Changing Places Toilet’ in Aylesbury for some years, said:
“I was campaigning on behalf of the children at the Pace School in Aylesbury and the local charity MASKS (Make A Special Kid Smile), of which I am Chair of Trustees. But ultimately it was as a parent of a child with complex needs and on behalf of other families like mine. The campaign also coincided with a friend breaking his back in a skiing accident and his subsequent rehab at The National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville, birthplace of the Paralympic movement. This is a much-needed facility for people with disabilities, and their carers and I am delighted it is here at last. It will make such a difference to the lives of many people; giving them greater freedom and dignity.”

There are several other Changing Places toilets in Buckinghamshire including at the Eden Shopping Centre and Tesco Loudwater in High Wycombe, Tesco in Amersham, Cornwalls Meadows car park in Buckingham, Waddesdon Manor, Wendover Woods and Thomley Hall Centre. Find a full list of over 1,500 registered Changing Places and details of the facilities provided at each location here.