Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure that toilet facilities accredited to the Changing Places standard are available in all motorway service stations in England.

Whilst all Motorway Service Areas (MSAs) are privately operated businesses, they are required to fully comply with the Equality Act 2010 legislation. The application of the Act does not require operators to provide accessible changing facilities, but I have made it clear to operators my wish to see MSAs offer more than the legal minimum they are required to.

I have agreed to address this issue through my forthcoming Taskforce on the design and facilities of MSAs. The Taskforce will commission independent advice on the options and potential levers to increase well-being of all visitors to MSAs in England.

We will also consider the accessibility requirements of disabled and older travellers when visiting MSAs as part of the final Accessibility Action Plan due to be published in 2018.