Mum shocked at state of Changing Places toilet in Largs

The Changing Places toilet was opened in 2019 at a cost of £36,000.

But Louise Lochrie-Turner and her family said they discovered several issues with the facility when they paid a visit on Sunday, May 26.

Problems included signs of dampness on the wall, a changing bed which didn't work, and a toilet which failed to flush.

Louise told the News that the family has to pick and choose their trips carefully for her three-year-old son Calum, who has a muscle wasting disease, to make sure there is an accessible toilet within reach.

Louise said: "Calum's disease makes him immobile so it means we have to be careful where we visit when going out.

"It was very disappointing to encounter problems with the Changing Places toilet. These facilities should be checked on a regular basis to prevent this kind of thing from happening.

"I was quite taken aback. I have been to quite a lot of places, especially to Glasgow, and the facilities we have encountered are of a high standard .

"This is the first one we have found which didn't work properly.

"I thought it shouldn't have taken a member of the public to have flagged up the issue. It should have been regularly checked."

Calum's grandfather, Bobby Turner said: “When she went to raise the bed up it did not work. Also, the toilet did not flush and there were signs of damp on the wall."

The family raised their concerns with local independent councillor Ian Murdoch.

He said: “The installation of the Changing Places Toilet was carried out before the toilet refurbishment and it cost around £36,000.

“I will be asking for an inspection ASAP.

Cllr Ian Murdoch demanded immediate inspection (Image: Newsquest)

“This is disappointing as you don’t expect this in such an important facility. I have written to council officers.

"I have been aware for some time of an ongoing issue with drain water and rain water, and it was being looked at by jetting contractors, with problems concerning flooding of the recently refurbished £300,000 toilets next door.

“I was not entirely sure what work has been carried out and why, but it may have been connected in some way.

“I have asked senior officers to have this inspected and also asked if it is connected in any way to the recent refurbished £300,000 public toilets.”

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We have mobile attendants who are onsite twice a day to clean the Largs facilities and are not aware of any particular issues at the site.

“We are sorry that the family were unhappy with the facility. If they would like to contact us directly we can speak with them, learn more about the A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We have mobile attendants who are onsite twice a day to clean the Largs facilities and are not aware of any particular issues at the site.

“We are sorry that the family were unhappy with the facility. If they would like to contact us directly we can speak with them, learn more about the particular issues they experienced and see if there is anything else we can do.”

The Changing Places facility was paid for through the Largs seafront car park fund.

The move was hailed by access campaigners who said it would give loved ones with disabilities "their dignity back".