'Changing Place' opens at Parsley Hay Bike Hire

A new Changing Place Toilet (CPT) and changing facility has been opened today (26 June) at Parsley Hay Bike Hire.

Parsley Hay offers a range of cycles, including trikes, wheelchair cycles, and Trampers. Now the new state-of-the-art facility will help to unlock access to the countryside for those with additional, or particularly complex care needs.

The Parsley Hay CPT is the second to be located alongside the National Park’s 35-mile network of multi-user, traffic-free accessible routes along former railway lines. The first CPT opened at Millers Dale in September 2024.

National Park CEO Phil Mulligan with Cllr Rob Reaney, Gillian from Accessible UK (all centre) join colleagues, volunteers and fundraisers at the opening

In a nod to this former history, the CPT building itself has been designed to reflect a traditional railway goods wagon and painted in the traditional line colours.

The Changing Place Toilet facility includes an accessible toilet, a height adjustable changing table and a ceiling hoist - electrically operated for ease of use by family, friends or carers.

It has been made possible by the Defra Access for All programme which aims to remove barriers to access in Protected Landscapes. The project has also been generously supported by The Bingham Trust and by Tarmac, who provided a grant through the Landfill Communities Fund. As well as the creation of the Changing Places facility, funding from the Access for All programme has supported other improvements in the area such as new e-bikes which can be hired for shorter periods, newly ramped access to shelters along the trails, and tactile signs for route planning.

Inside the Changing Place facility at Parsley Hay

Phil Mulligan, chief executive of the Peak District National Park Authority said: "We are proud to open the new Changing Place Toilet to complement the accessible facilities and experience we provide at Parsley Hay and the High Peak and Tissington Trails. Changing Places change lives and we hope that we can do just that so that everyone is able to enjoy all that National Park can offer."

Gillian Scotford, Director of Accessible UK, said: "Standard accessible loos meet the needs of some disabled people but not all - imagine what it is like if you have to change the person you are caring for on a toilet floor of a public toilet... thankfully Changing Places Toilets are designed for people with complex care needs who need carer support. The extra facilities they provide open up possibilities for people who need them to go out and enjoy the countryside with their family and friends instead of having to stay at home. We would like to see more Changing Places everywhere and especially in all our National Parks."