The Changing Places toilet, created as part of Network Rail’s £120m redevelopment at the station, has now been officially registered by Changing Places UK.
Changing Places toilets aim to help those with profound disabilities or with physical disabilities, such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis, to use toilets safely and comfortably.
Queen Street now joins 1,633 facilities mapped on Changing Places UK’s website to help more than 230,000 people who are unable to use standard accessible toilets.
It’s hoped the facility will give those with profound and multiple disabilities, their carers, assistants and families and many more people with complex disabilities, the confidence to travel on Scotland’s Railway.
Standard accessible toilets do not meet the requirements of all, particularly those with complex care needs. The Changing Places toilet at Queen Street provides:
- Adult-sized, wall mounted changing bench
- Ceiling mounted hoist
- Peninsular toilet
- Height adjustable washbasin
- Non-stick floor
- Emergency alarm
- Colostomy shelf
- Accessible shower
The Changing Places toilet is located in the basement area of the station, where the main toilets, lost property and left luggage also feature. The facility can be accessed via a lift next to the George Square entrance, which provides access from street level outside the station or from the main concourse inside.
Kevin McClelland, Network Rail route delivery director for infrastructure projects, said: “Over the last four years, the remarkable transformation of Queen Street has sought to further enhance the passenger experience – from enabling faster, greener electric trains to run on the network, to creating a station that provides access for all.
“We want to ensure the requirements of every passenger are considered and met. The Changing Places toilet has helped to achieve this for those travelling with more complex care needs by offering greater reassurance when visiting the city.”
Maggie Hoey, ScotRail general manager at Queen Street station, said: “Using a public toilet when going about our daily life is a basic dignity the majority of us take for granted and is something everyone should be able to do, no matter their circumstances.
“Having Queen Street now registered on the Changing Places UK website means the station joins a growing number of venues, from supermarkets to leisure and shopping centres, that provide this.
“By supporting those with multiple needs including their carers and families, by offering a Changing Places toilets, this should contribute to making life that much easier.”
Jenny Miller, CEO of the charity PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society) who co-chair the Changing Places toilet consortium, said: “PAMIS is absolutely delighted that this long-awaited addition to the Changing Places toilet network has opened at Queen Street railway station.
“This life-changing facility supports Scotland to realise its ambition of inclusive, accessible and safe travel for all. We know that many people have been behind supporting this major travel destination including passionate campaigners and of course Network Rail, but there has also been strong support from Transport Scotland. Having Changing Places toilets in major train stations such as Queen Street, Waverley, Glasgow Central and Dundee makes a huge difference to travel for those who are excluded from so much within their communities, but we hope the journey doesn't stop here!"
For further information on Changing Places facilities available across the UK, please visit www.changing-places.org.
For the latest information on Glasgow Queen Street station’s redevelopment please follow us on twitter @NetworkRailGQS or visit networkrail.co.uk/GlasgowQueenStreet.