New loos 'vital' to open city for all - council

The new facilities have been opened at four sites in Sheffield

Four new accessible toilet blocks in Sheffield are expected to make a "dramatic difference" to the lives of thousands of people, the city's council has said.

The toilets have been opened in Hillsborough Park, Millhouses Park, Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre and at Weston Park Museum.

The facilities had adult-size changing beds, electric hoists and sinks that were height adjustable, the council said.

Councillor Kurtis Crossland, chair of the community, parks and leisure committee, said: "The addition of these Changing Places toilets are a vital part of making Sheffield a city that is accessible to all residents."

“We want to make sure everyone has good access to nature and services with any support or facilities they require across our city," he added.

Money from the government has helped to create the new facilities at four locations

A Sheffield City Council spokesperson said the "changing pods" were aimed at encourarging people to get out of their homes more to improve their wellbeing.

People with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well other disabilities that severely limit mobility, could not use standard accessible toilets, they said.

Other similar facilities can already be found across Sheffield, including at the Moor Market, Rivelin Valley Park, Cambridge Street Collective and at the town hall.

About £100,000 of funding for the toilets had come as a result of bids to the government's Changing Places Fund at the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the council said.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.