Public Toilets
Bedford Borough Council provides a number of
public toilets throughout the Borough. There are two types of
toilets for use by the public. These are:
Toilets that are attended by cleansing
attendants,some on a roaming rota and others on a 2 hourly
visit.
Toilets which clean automatically, where the
public pay to use the facility.
List &
Map of Toilet Facilities in the Town Centre Area with Opening
Times
Changing Places
Bedford's River Street multi-storey car park
has a Changing
Places disabled persons' toilet.
Radar Toilet Key
A Radar Toilet Key allows people living with a
disability access to use disabled toilet facilities nationwide.
The Royal Association for Disability
Rights (Radar) is a national charity that campaigns for the
rights of the 11 million people in the UK with a lived experience
of disability or health conditions and the Radar key scheme fits
into the charity's objectives to promote freedom and choice so
disabled people can lead the life they choose.
www.radar.org.uk
Who can get a toilet key?
There is no requirement to
prove details of disability. Parents and carers can apply on
behalf of disabled children. Husbands and wives can apply on
behalf of each other. Residents of ‘care homes’ and those
consider to have a mental illness can also qualify.
The keys are given on trust
that the applicant considers himself / herself or the person they
are applying on behalf of to be disabled. The above is the
adopted policy by RADAR.
How can I apply?
To apply, you can either download a
radar toilet
key application form or contact us using the details below.
Please also see our radar toilet
key application notes for more information.
Who to contact
Bedford Borough Council
Customer Service Centre
2 Horne Lane
Bedford
MK40 1RA
Email: environmentalenforcementteam@bedford.gov.uk
Telephone: 01234 267422
For a map of
Disabled toilet locations please click here
Community Toilet Scheme in Bedford
By introducing a Community Toilet scheme which
covers the main shopping area this will strengthen the
network coverage of toilets available for public use. The
outcome of this would be to enhance the shopping experience and
encourage those that may otherwise feel isolated at home to visit
the Town Centre. Effectively a wider network of public toilets will
reduce the barriers people may feel to visiting the town centre due
to them believing they will not be able to find a toilet when
visiting it.
A network of Council-operated public
conveniences remains in place in the town centre, including
facilities at Allhallows multi-storey car park (MSCP) by the Bus
station, St Paul’s Square, Bedford Central Library and the Customer
Service Centre. There are also several Automatic Public
Conveniences (APC) in the town centre located on The Broadway,
Melbourne Street and St Peter’s Street car park. The implementation
of a Community Toilet scheme would not impact on the current
facilities provided by the council.
Businesses joining the scheme will need
to be asked to sign a simple agreement promising to provide the
toilets and keep them clean in return for a financial contribution
by the Council. This contribution is intended to cover
the extra costs incurred by the business for any extra cleaning
arising as a result of increased usage. Given this financial
contribution, all conveniences will need to be inspected by
Council staff and the facilities on offer noted, i.e. are baby
changing facilities provided, disabled access, suitability for
parents to take children, opening hours etc.
A contribution of £300 each
year is suggested for a Bedford scheme. This level of contribution
is based on the levels contributed by other similar schemes in the
UK. The view from schemes already operating is larger businesses
see their inclusion on the list as good for their community
relations.
The locations need to be strategically
chosen so that as wide an area of the Town Centre as possible
is covered, however the Town Centre smaller businesses will
not be excluded from this type of scheme. However the level
of donation paid will need to be reviewed and agreed per site
following an inspection and the Council’s financial contribution
will be dependent on how many, the standard and types of facilities
offered. Successful businesses will be placed on the scheme.
The Council is aware some large retail
premises provide facilities on behalf of many shops. There
may be a request for a payment and at a potentially higher level
than the £300 proposed, which will be assessed and agreed following
a site inspection.
Community
Toilet Scheme - Approach Letter
Community
Toilet Scheme - Sign
Community
Toilet Scheme - Application Form
Community
Toilet Scheme - Terms and Conditions
List &
Map of Community Toilet Scheme and other Facilities in
the Town Centre
Scheme
administration
The scheme will be administered by the
Council’s Environmental Services Team, for further information or a
application please contact 01234 718060.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For any concerns regarding the Public Conveniences please
contact
the Environmental Enforcement Team on
Contact Email: environmentalenforcementteam@bedford.gov.uk
Contact Telephone: 01234 718060