Network Rail has announced that a new fully accessible Changing Places toilet has been installed at Edinburgh Waverley station.
The new facility, located in the travel hall, is now open as part of a drive to make rail travel more accessible for everyone.
Standard accessible toilets don't meet the needs of all disabled people, but the Changing Places facility is suitable for everyone, including those with profound and multiple disabilities.
It features a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a ceiling mounted hoist, a non-slip floor, a height-adjustable washbasin and an emergency alarm.
And it's designed to give disabled people, their carers, assistants and families the confidence to travel throughout the station.
Patrick Henry, Network Rail's station manager at Edinburgh Waverley, said: "We are delighted with the addition of a Changing Place facility at Edinburgh Waverley in an effort to ensure our facilities are as accessible as possible, for all our passengers.
"It is vital that our rail network is accessible and inclusive for everyone.
"The refurbishment of our main toilet facilities will also create a more pleasant and comfortable experience for all our passengers and station users."
Jenny Miller, CEO of PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society), said: "PAMIS are delighted that this key rail station within Scotland has now opened a changing places toilet.
"This will not only broaden opportunities for travel across Scotland for people who require this facility but also opens up inclusive tourism in Edinburgh, which has in the past fallen short in the provision for people who cannot use an accessible toilet.
"It is fantastic to see Network Rail taking forward inclusion and access across major stations and we look forward to working with them on other key rail locations to enable full access to our beautiful country for everyone."
The new facility means Scotland's three busiest station's Glasgow Central, Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street now all have Changing Places.
Passengers can ask a member of staff to get access to the Changing Places room.
Elsewhere in the station, work continues on a new public corridor which will connect the east concourse with the ticket hall – restoring a walking route which was part of the original station design.
Part of the existing Burger King retail unit, and office space, has been remodelled to create the walkway, due for completion in summer 2022.
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
26/11/2024
Scottish Water has unveiled its largest-ever procurement initiative, aiming to modernise the nation's water and wastewater infrastructure while safeguarding the environment. The program, named Delivery Vehicle 4, is valued between £5 billion and £9 billion and is set to run from 2027 to 2033, with ...
26/11/2024
The City of Edinburgh Council has granted planning permission, subject to conditions, for the refurbishment of Calton Square, an office building currently occupied by Baillie Gifford until the end of December 2025. Promoted by Ardstone Capital on behalf of Manova Partners, the project aims to ...
26/11/2024
First Minister John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, praised the progress being made on the construction of the new Perth High School during a visit on Friday, 22 November. He was joined by Jim Fairlie, MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, alongside senior Perth and Kinross Councillors, ...
26/11/2024
A state-of-the-art playpark has officially opened at King George V Park in Bearsden, following the completion of a £100,000 refurbishment. Funded by a combination of East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC) Capital Funding and the Scottish Government’s Renewing Scotland’s Play Parks initiative, the ...
26/11/2024
Fife Council has launched a public consultation, inviting residents, businesses, and organizations to contribute ideas and propose sites for inclusion in the next Local Development Plan, known as Fife's Place Plan. The council is calling on community councils, landowners, and developers to share ...
26/11/2024
The Chief Executive of East Lothian Council has announced she is to retire in February 2025. Monica Patterson who has been Chief Executive for almost five years, has spent most of her professional career working in local government. Prior to joining East Lothian Council in 2010, she was Head of ...
25/11/2024
West of Scotland Housing Association (WSHA) and Connect Modular have jointly submitted a planning application to Glasgow City Council for the development of 33 affordable homes in Cowlairs. This project aligns with the wider Cowlairs Park regeneration scheme and the city's ambitious housing ...
25/11/2024
Arc-Tech (Scotland) has successfully completed a £6m Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) services package for the Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh. The state-of-the-art resort, which opened its doors earlier this month, features a range of amenities, including a wave pool, luxury lodges, and ...
25/11/2024
Scottish Water has successfully completed the construction of a groundbreaking hydro energy generation scheme at Whiteadder Reservoir in East Lothian. This innovative project, believed to be the first of its kind in Europe, will harness the power of water to offset a significant portion of the ...
25/11/2024
Work is set to commence on a £6.5 million project to upgrade the Double Dykes Gypsy/Traveller site near Perth. The initiative aims to replace outdated chalets with modern, energy-efficient accommodation and implement significant site improvements. Perth & Kinross Council secured £3.9 million from ...