A new fully accessible Changing Places toilet has been officially opened at Cleethorpes station, making it easier for disabled passengers and their carers to travel by rail and enjoy the popular seaside town.
The facility, located on the station concourse, is part of a national drive to improve accessibility across the UK rail network. It includes an adult-sized changing bench, ceiling hoist, privacy screen and additional space to accommodate carers – going beyond standard accessible toilet provisions.
This is now the second Changing Places facility on the Cleethorpes seafront, complementing an existing unit at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre.
Supporting Accessible Travel
Andrew McClements, Customer Experience & Transformation Director at TransPennine Express (TPE), said:
“We know that good quality public toilets are important to everyone, but for people with additional needs, having specialised facilities is essential.
Changing Places toilets enable anyone to go to the shops, attend appointments, socialise, and travel – and of course enjoy the seaside here at Cleethorpes.
A quarter of the stations we manage now offer Changing Places toilets, and we’re proud to be supporting more inclusive travel.”
Other TPE stations with Changing Places facilities include Stalybridge, Manchester Airport, Dewsbury, and Middlesbrough.
Backed by Local MP and Accessibility Campaigners
The new facility was officially opened by Melanie Onn, MP for Cleethorpes, who praised the positive impact on the community:
“For too long, too many people with profound and multiple disabilities have faced unnecessary barriers to travel, but this new, fully accessible toilet changes that.
It’s a practical step that makes our community more welcoming, inclusive and accessible – not just for residents, but for visitors too.”
The £150,000 project was funded by the Department for Transport’s Changing Places Fund, managed by Muscular Dystrophy UK, alongside a contribution from TPE’s Customer and Communities Improvement Schemes Fund.
Andy Fletcher, CEO at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said:
“This will be a game-changer for people living with neuromuscular conditions and other disabilities, and their families.
An estimated 250,000 people in the UK need access to Changing Places toilets. This facility means more people can enjoy independent, dignified travel across the rail network.”
Find a Facility
To locate a Changing Places facility, visit: www.changing-places.org/find
