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JUNE 2010 - BOLTON LEADS THE WAY IN VISITOR ACCESSIBILITY
A town centre development masterplan is adopting a pioneering approach in more ways than one, enhancing accessibility to facilities for all...
As part of its redevelopment plan, Bolton Council is aiming to double its number of visitors to the town, and visitor spend. A major step in achieving that aim has been the opening of the town's new Topp Way four storey car park, which features state-of-the-art equipment- including 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 useable 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 Ltd, 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."
Robin Tuffley, Total Hygiene marketing manager, observed, "There are an estimated 10m disabled people in the UK! Research shows that people with a disability and their carers will make a conscious decision NOT to visit somewhere if they feel they cannot undertake basic personal hygiene in a suitable, clean environment. It is therefore vital for their feeling of wellbeing- and the economy- that we take steps to enable everyone to feel able to go out for an hour or a day, relaxed that they can use the loo if they need, and do so in a welcoming, appropriate facility."
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JUNE 2010 - BOLTON LEADS THE WAY IN VISITOR ACCESSIBILITY
A town centre development masterplan is adopting a pioneering approach in more ways than one, enhancing accessibility to facilities for all...
As part of its redevelopment plan, Bolton Council is aiming to double its number of visitors to the town, and visitor spend. A major step in achieving that aim has been the opening of the town's new Topp Way four storey car park, which features state-of-the-art equipment- including 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 useable 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 Ltd, 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."
Robin Tuffley, Total Hygiene marketing manager, observed, "There are an estimated 10m disabled people in the UK! Research shows that people with a disability and their carers will make a conscious decision NOT to visit somewhere if they feel they cannot undertake basic personal hygiene in a suitable, clean environment. It is therefore vital for their feeling of wellbeing- and the economy- that we take steps to enable everyone to feel able to go out for an hour or a day, relaxed that they can use the loo if they need, and do so in a welcoming, appropriate facility."
» Back
