10
Jan
Ripon toilet block re-opens after nine-day closure
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A Ripon toilet block, refurbished at a cost of £175,00 to include facilities for disabled people, is back open today after being closed awaiting repair since New Year's Eve.
Located close to Ripon Library and the bus station, the block houses the city centre's only Changing Places toilet and was officially opened in October by North Yorkshire Council.
The toilet can be used by people with limited mobility and complex needs and gives them greater accessibility. It includes a toilet, washing and changing area with room for two carers, a hoist system, a changing bed and screening to allow for privacy.
The re-modelled block includes three women’s cubicles, two men’s cubicles and three urinals, and an accessible toilet as well as the Changing Places provision.
A much-needed addition
Ripon Disability Forum campaigned for the Changing Places facility and at the time of the opening, trustee Lynette Barnes said:
This is a much-needed addition to the city centre as we continue to work to make Ripon more accessible for residents and visitors alike. We are very grateful to North Yorkshire Council for making this happen.
The scheme benefitted from a £40,000 grant from the government's levelling up fund and the new facilities were installed in association with Muscular Dystrophy UK.
The £4.8 billion fund was announced in November 2020 to fund schemes that benefit communities and support local economies
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Council, said:
After investigating the cause of the closure, we've discovered there were blockages in the drains that required a specialised clean. The toilets are now open and operating normally.
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