City toilet network improvements get Cabinet backing
Swansea Council's long-term plans to improve toilet facilities across the city have won the backing of the local authority's Cabinet.
Two new 'Changing Places' toilets in busy tourist areas alongside upgrades for many council-operated facilities and modern smart phone-friendly signage have all been introduced in the last year.
A report to Cabinet reviewing the council's Toilet Strategy and agreed at its meeting on March 23 also highlighted how the council is encouraging private businesses to help out by making their toilets available to the public as well.
Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "Toilets are an important part of the services people in our communities need, especially the vulnerable and the disabled.
"We're proud of the work we've done to set up a network of 'changing places' toilets in busy areas around the city, including Swansea Indoor Market, Swansea Arena as well as shortly at Knab Rock and Rhossili.
"They are part of an investment of well over £300,000 in the last few years dedicated to improving public toilet facilities that's also helped make them easier for our teams to clean more frequently, especially during busy holiday periods."
He said: "Changing Places are roomy facilities with hoists and other equipment available so severely disabled people and their families can make use of them to ensure that their toileting and care needs can be properly met with no loss of dignity or risk to their safety."
"The feedback we've had has been very positive with people saying that it gives them and their families confidence to get out and about, knowing they're unlikely to be very far from a Changing Place if they need one."
He added: "Public toilets are important to all of us. The council invests heavily in improving our facilities and I'm grateful to all the staff who do a great job cleaning and maintaining them. But we're in the hands of the public and we need everyone to play their part by treating toilets with respect and to report faults or concerns to us promptly.
"It's easy to do via a smartphone. Just go to the website at https://www.swansea.gov.uk/article/9068/Public-toilets "
A list and an interactive map of more than 30 public toilets located around Swansea can be found here: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/article/9068/Public-toilets