Iconic Cumbrian railway unveils new changing places facility

Based in a converted building on Platform One at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway station, the fully accessible changing room and toilet facilities have been match-funded by the Government’s ‘Changing Places’ fund via Cumberland Council - to provide the right facilities for disabled people to wash, change and use the toilet safely and easily.

Georgia Townsend cut the ribbon on the new opening (Image: Supplied)

The new Changing Places facilities include a hoist, an adult sized changing bench and space for carers, and will supplement existing disabled parking spaces and level access to the platform. The facilities can be used by anyone and will remain accessible by RADAR key in out-of-hours times.

One of the directors of Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Georgina Townsend, had two personal reasons for wanting to open the Changing Places facility.

Gillian Scotford, director of Accessible UK and • Gill Haigh, managing director, Cumbria Tourism (Image: Supplied)

She said: “Promoting access to all is really important to us and we are thrilled to receive Changing Places funding through Cumberland Council to help bolster our own investment in enhancing accessible facilities. 

"Also, my late mother had many years with motor neurone disease, was in a wheelchair, and personally had many challenges in her latter years trying to find suitable facilities on her days out and about. So this is a really worthwhile legacy and I am very proud and grateful to be able to officially open a Changing Places facility here in this special location on the west coast of Cumbria."

The facility was officially opened on Friday (Image: Supplied)

Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: "We want to ensure visitor destinations in our area are inclusive and can be enjoyed by all. We were pleased to provide support for the funding application and are delighted that this has resulted in a successful conclusion - that will benefit the venue and wider area."

The Changing Places toilet was devised and installed by expert disability technology company Innova Care Concepts.

River Esk train in the snow (Image: Supplied)

Managing Director Tom Hulbert: "We were delighted to install these new facilities at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway to make accessibility easier for all their visitors and the general public.”