North Tyneside to get fully accessible ‘Changing Places’ facilities at two parks  

North Tyneside Council is set to install ‘Changing Places’ toilets which have more space and extra equipment in Rising Sun Country Park and Wallsend Parks.

Designed to support severely disabled people and their families, to have greater accessibility in their local areas, the toilets will be located in areas where access may currently be limited.

The new facilities will feature equipment such as hoists, adult sized changing benches, and space for carers, making trips to outdoor spaces easier and more comfortable for those visiting with health conditions.

The council has today confirmed that the toilets will be located in two of its most popular open spaces, Rising Sun Country Park in Benton, and Wallsend Parks.  

Councillor Hannah Johnson, Cabinet Member for Inclusion, Employment and Skills at North Tyneside Council, said: “We want our borough and our parks to be inviting and accessible for all. These Changing Place toilets will improve the spaces we have available for people with disabilities, mobility issues and other health conditions.

“Public toilets are an essential part of our public spaces and are vital for allowing our residents and visitors to comfortably visit the fantastic places we have on offer in our borough. I know this funding and the installation of the changing places will be welcome news for many and I look forward to seeing these spaces open.”

The local authority has successfully secured £100,000 funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) for the installation of the accessible toilets as part of its most recent bid to the Changing Places Fund.

In March 2022, the authority announced it had been granted funding for Changing Place facilities in Whitley Park, Whitley Bay and the Fish Quay, North Shields.