Eleven times Olympic champion opens gold star loo

03 December 2007

Olympic Gold medallist Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE opened a brand new Changing Places toilet in London to mark International Day of Disabled People.

The toilet is situated in the newly renovated public conveniences at Victoria Embankment - which are used by around 500,000 people a year. It is the first completely public toilet of its kind in the capital.

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE said:

"All too often disabled users are forgotten about and are unable to find all the facilities they need. The Changing Places campaign addresses this problem as it is encouraging local authorities to install more accessible toilets.

"The toilet at Victoria Embankment is exactly what London needs and I hope more councils follow Westminster's example."

Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Carolyn Keen, said:

"There are almost no public Changing Places toilets in the UK and yet they would make a dramatic difference to the lives of thousands of people who desperately need this design of toilet. I hope the Councils example will be followed by others such as our shops, museums and restaurants to ensure Westminster is a more welcoming environment for disabled residents and visitors."