Disability campaigner backs calls for pedestrianisation of Ripon’s KirkgateLaunch of initiative designed to make Ripon more accessibleRipon toilet block re-opens after nine-day closureUntreated icy pavements ‘putting lives at risk’, says Ripon councillorChanging Places toilet to open in Ripon city centre next monthContract awarded for Ripon’s first city centre Changing Places ToiletRipon city centre is to get its first Changing Places toilet following the award of a £162,000 contract to Killinghall company Dalebuild Ltd.
The facility will be built on the site of the existing toilet block at the back of Sainsbury’s supermarket.
The toilets are larger and more accessible for people with disabilities and restricted mobility who cannot use standard accessible toilets. They include equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers.
News of the contract awarded by North Yorkshire Council was announced at last night’s full meeting of Ripon City Council by Councillor Andrew Williams.
The new toilet will be built on the site of the existing block near the bus station
The city council leader and North Yorkshire Council member for the Minster and Moorside division that includes the city centre, said:
“Now that the contract has been confirmed, we look forward to seeing it built and in use as soon as possible.”
“With its proximity to the bus station, it is a great addition to Ripon, making the city centre more accessible for local residents and visitors.”
After a successful bid by the now-defunct Harrogate Borough Council and Ripon Disability Forum, £40,000 was granted through the government’s Changing Places Fund towards the cost of the new facility.
Jeremy Dunford, a trustee of RDF which, through its Access Ambassadors initiative, is working alongside businesses and other organisations in the city to make Ripon more access aware and accessible, told the Stray Ferret:
“Changing Places toilets allow families greater freedom when caring for a family member with specific needs.
“They allow whole families to shop, visit and travel with more confidence and security. For independent people with greater need it means their independence is supported by the facilities they need.
“This is great news for businesses, residents and visitors to the city of Ripon.”
Changing Places toilets at other Ripon locations
Ripon already has a Changing Places toilet at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre but not one in the city centre,
However, Ripon Cathedral has plans to include one as part of its proposed £8 million annexe development on Minster Gardens, These would be in replacement for the current public toilets on the site.
Main image: The Changing Places toilet design ensures that they are fully accessible.
Read More:
Ripon businesses given free help to be more disability-friendlyRipon Disability Forum is arranging free training for local businesses, voluntary organisations and councils aimed at making the city more accessible.
The training, at Community House on Allhallowgate, is being provided by disability consultants Nimbus Disability. It will take place from 9.30am to 2pm on October 26.
Nimbus created The Access Card, which is an ID card for disabled people that indicates what their legal rights might be and gives businesses an indication of the support they need to provide.
RDF trustee Jeremy Dunford, who is a wheelchair user, said:
“The Purple Pound, which refers to the spending power of people with a disability, is estimated to be worth £274 billion per year to the UK economy, so it is in the interests of businesses to ensure that their premises are as accessible as possible for those with limited mobility.
“However, it’s not just about clients and customers, it’s is also about employment opportunities, information sharing/presentation and technology.
“It is also about developing the best accessible practise by overcoming barriers that can be overcome and sharing open information when a barrier cannot be overcome for example, when it is not possible to provide ramped access to a listed building.”
With 25 places available at Community House, the training is being offered on a first come, first served basis to businesses or organisations that operate in, or serve Ripon and its surrounding area. Attendance via Zoom can also be arranged.
Bookings should be made via ripondisabilityforum@gmail.com or the forum’s facebook page.
Read more:
New specialist disability toilet set for Ripon city centreRipon city centre is set to get its first specialist toilet for people with disabilities.
Changing Places toilets are larger, accessible toilets for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.
They include equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers.
After a successful bid by Harrogate Borough Council and Ripon Disability Forum £40,000 has been granted through the government’s Changing Places Fund to create the new facility.
It will be located at the existing Ripon Bus Station toilets and it is hoped it will be open by the end of the year.
Ripon already has a Changing Places toilet at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre but not one in the city centre. Recent plans to develop Ripon Cathedral also include proposals to create a Changing Places toilet.
Councillor Graham Swift, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development, said:
“Changing Places toilets are a welcome addition for the local community and I am glad that following our successful bid we will be able to install a new facility for residents and visitors of Ripon.
“This new addition follows the Changing Places toilet at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre to ensure everyone has access to our fantastic new facility.”
Jeremy Dunford, from Ripon Disability Forum, said:
“Changing Places toilets allow families greater freedom when caring for a family member with specific needs.
“They allow whole families to shop, visit and travel with more confidence and security. For independent people with greater need it means their independence is supported by the facilities they need.
“This is great news for businesses, residents and visitors to the City of Ripon.”
Read More:
Council answers call to remove bins from Ripon car parkHarrogate Borough Council (HBC) has taken swift action to remove two bins from Sainsbury’s car park in Ripon, that were causing access problems for disabled people and parents with buggies and prams.
The issue was raised with both HBC and North Yorkshire County Council by Jeremy Dunford, a trustee of Ripon Disability Forum, who pointed out that the waste and recycling bins on the pavement linking The Arcade to the supermarket, were leaving little room for people in wheelchairs, or families with young children to pass safely.
The bins seen in situ before they were removed
Following their removal, Mr Dunford told the Stray Ferret:
“Getting this resolved so quickly shows the benefits of community groups and councils developing relationships to address issues in a proactive way.
“However, it does also highlight the need for greater thought being given to works so that remedial action is not then needed after the event. It is cheaper and more cost effective this way.”
Mr Dunford added:
“As always, we encourage people to raise such issues with us to try and get them resolved in the best way that is possible.”
Read more:
Bins causing access problems in Ripon car park to be relocatedTwo new bins that have created access problems for wheelchair users at Sainsbury’s car park in Ripon are to be relocated.
Harrogate Borough Council recently installed the waste and recycling bins on a footpath with drop kerbs that provides a link from The Arcade to the supermarket.
But they leave little room for wheelchairs, or people with prams and pushchairs, to pass safely.
After being contacted by fellow wheelchair users and parents with young children, Jeremy Dunford, a trustee of Ripon Disability Forum, raised the issue with North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council.
The bins leave little room for manoeuvre for people with limited mobility.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“We have been looking at this area for some time, because cars, even when legally parked, have been encroaching on to the path on either side, making it hard to get along with mobility equipment and wide buggies.
“The addition of the bins made the position even more difficult.”
In response to Mr Dunford’s request for urgent action over the bins, a spokesperson from Harrogate Borough Council, which has installed many large new bins across the district lately, said:
“We’re in the process of having them moved and are working with local partners to find a more suitable location.”
Mr Dunford said:
“I would like to thank the council for their swift response. By working with organisations like the disability forum, we can hopefully avoid issues like this from arising in the future.”
Read more: