Moto opens 30 Changing Places toilets

With over 20 million car journeys expected to be taken in the UK this summer as the post-school getaway begins, the personal needs of travellers, regardless of their disability status are at the forefront of thinking for Moto as the ‘summer exodus’ gets underway.

Despite the fact that car travel accounts for three in five journeys undertaken by a person with a severe disability, a focus remains on accessibility needs across public transport, including rail and seaports. Despite this, over a quarter of a million car journeys will be made by people with severe disabilities in 2024.

To address this gap, a collaboration between Moto and disability technology expert Innova Care Concepts has delivered 30 Changing Places facilities at Moto Services locations across England – unique spaces which go well beyond standard accessible toilets and offer accessibility for everyone regardless of their disability.

Moto are the first motoway services provider to install and register 30 Changing Places toilets.

£2m Changing Places funding

With an urgent need to increase accessible toilet provision across the motorway networks, Moto have used funding provided by the Department for Transport’s Changing Places £2m fund. The completion of 30 new Changing Places takes the total number of registered facilities across motorway services to 77 across the UK.

In addition to the 30 that have already been completed, a further five Changing Places will also be installed and registered towards the end of 2024 at Moto Services.

Changing Places toilets aim to provide a more inclusive environment, enabling people with severe disabilities to access public spaces with dignity and independence.

While Changing Places are typically found in locations including sports venues, shopping centres, museums and larger public buildings, making them available for car travellers has been a more significant challenge.

Without access to advanced toilets like Changing Places, the risk to an individual’s safety and wellbeing increases as suboptimal toilet facilities present problems and challenges.

Comments on Moto Changing Places Programme

“All road users should expect to be treated with the same level of respect and understanding. At Moto we are totally committed to making our locations a place that everyone can easily access to reset and recharge. Our continued work with Innova and the installation of more Changing Places Toilets is a hugely important element of ensuring we deliver on that. As the first motorway services provider to reach the milestone of installing 30 Changing Places Toilet facilities, we’re delighted to be playing our part so that individuals travelling with severe disabilities can undertake car journeys with confidence.”

Ken McMeikan, CEO of Moto Hospitality

“What our colleagues at Moto have achieved to date is extraordinary and represents a genuine commitment to enabling everyone, whoever they are, to travel and enjoy a summer break. Changing Places are technologically sophisticated, advanced support systems which require a great deal of planning to get right. We’re thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with Moto to make the UK one of the most accessible countries in the world for travellers.”

Tom Hulbert, Managing Director at Innova Care Concepts

“We are delighted that this funding has enabled 30 new Changing Places Toilets to be built by Innova, at Moto services across England . We know how much of a difference this will make opening up opportunities for people now to travel with confidence , reassurance and dignity knowing their toilet needs can be met.”

Karen Hoe, Changing Places Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK 

Changing Places Awareness Day 2024

This latest Changing Places announcement is part of Changing Places Awareness Day (19th July), a campaign that focuses on raising more vital awareness of the life changing difference Changing Places toilets make to people’s lives – not just in the UK but around the world.

To get advice and support for your Changing Places installation, please complete the contact form below.