Department for Tranport announces the first round of funding for motorway service stations

 

 

More motorway services stations across England are set to install Changing Places toilets, thanks to funding from the Department for Transport (DfT)

 

In April 2019 DfT, in partnership with Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK), launched a scheme inviting motorway service providers to apply for a share of £2million funding to install Changing Places toilets at their sites. Today we’re pleased to announce that the first round of successful applications will result in twenty-two new Changing Places toilets being added to the motorway service network.

 

The new sites will be:

Roadchef

• Strensham (Northbound), M5
• Strensham (Southbound), M5
• Tibshelf (Northbound), M1
• Tibshelf, (Southbound), M1
• Sedgemoor, M5
• Taunton Deane (Northbound), M5
• Northampton (Northbound), M1
• Northampton (Southbound), M1
• Rownhams (Southbound), M27
• Maidstone, M20
• Durham, A1M
• Clacket Lane (Westbound), M25
• Chester, M56

Moto

• Rugby, M6
• Knutsford (Northbound), M6
• Hilton Park (Southbound), M6
• Ferrybridge, M62/A1M
• Reading (Eastbound), M4
• Heston (Westbound), M4

Westmorland

• Gloucester (Northbound), M5
• Tebay (Southbound), M6

Welcome Break

• Birchanger Green, M11

 

Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) provided vital support through the process, reviewing the applications and identifying any accessibility issues.

 

We're looking forward to working closely with the service providers throughout the installation process, and adding the new Changes Places toilets to the map as soon as they are available.

 

 Zack Kerr, the campaigner behind one of the powerful petitions presented to the government on this issue, said:

"This is great news because people like me can go out and about for holidays and days out, and they won't have to worry about finding a Changing Places toilet... I would like to thank all the motorway service operators who have listened to my campaign and applied for funds to build more Changing Places"

Zack's step-dad and fellow campaigner, Ceri, added: 

"When Zack started his campaign in 2017, there were only 12 Changing Places toilets on the entire UK motorway network. Zack's campaign quickly raised awareness of this desperate need and we were delighted that the government listened and took action, subsequently making the £2m funding available.

We're especially pleased that Roadchef responded so positively, committing to install 13 new Changing Places; that Westmorland will be the first services operator to have fully accessible toilets at all their locations; and that Moto responded to our personal experiences at Knutsford."

 

Tony Clough, another campaigner at the forefront of the push for Changing Places toilets in motorway services, said:

"This is great news which will be welcomed by so many people, their families and friends. It is gratifying to know that the motorway service operators are committed to improving the customer service offering with regard to Changing Places toilets.

These new locations on our motorway network will undoubtedly make travel a far less daunting prospect for thousands"

 

 

Round 2

 

While this is exciting news, there is a lot more work to be done.

 

We're pleased to confirm that applications are now open for the second round of funding. The scheme will be open to service stations on motorways and some A-roads, and we'll be working together with the service operators to maximise this opportunity to get as many Changing Places toilets installed as possible. Service stations can apply here. 

 

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