Toilet trained
THERE was good news for mums and dads in Felixstowe today as they were given a pledge that baby changing facilities would be provided in the town centre.
THERE was good news for mums and dads in Felixstowe today as they were given a pledge that baby changing facilities would be provided in the town centre.
Mums have complained the resort is not family-friendly and finding a place to change a dirty nappy or breast feed their youngster is a nightmare.
The main town centre toilets do not have changing facilities, and there are no dedicated places for feeding - mums having to rely on the kindness of shops lending their storerooms, or sitting in public and facing the scowls and comments of disapproving shoppers.
Suffolk Coastal council though is aware of the problems and has promised to deal with them as soon as it can.
Much will depend on when money becomes available, but some projects are in the pipeline and others have been given priority status.
A council spokesman said seven blocks of lavatories in Felixstowe - Bath Tap, Beach Station Road, Golf Road, Langer Park, Manor Road, the Spa Pavilion and The Dip - already had baby changing facilities.
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New facilities would be built soon at the south seafront and the port viewing area.
It was accepted the biggest problems were Ranelagh Road and The Triangle in Hamilton Road, both in the shopping zone, but these would be updated.
“Baby changing facilities are an important part of our modernisation plans - we have recognised the need and each set of toilets which are updated are having them installed,” he said.
“We know the toilets in the town centre do not have them at present but that will be addressed as the programme moves forward.”
Chamber of trade chairman Harvey Smith said families were very welcome in Felixstowe and were important to traders.
He would be bringing the issues raised by parents - especially the lack of breast feeding facilities - up with chamber members to see if there is more which can be done.
Alicia Mann, one of the group of mums who spoke to the Evening Star about problems parents faced, said she was pleased the council and traders were taking their points on board.
“I am pleased they are being positive and willing to look at these issues because they are very important to parents - we want Felixstowe to be a town that attracts and welcomes young families in the future,” said Mrs Mann, who has a seven-month-old son Oscar.
Have you had problems as a parent with young children in Felixstowe? - have your say by writing to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk
