The Friends of Stoney Royd Cemetery are calling for existing toilet facilities to be reopened, arguing that access is a matter of dignity and inclusion.
The Friends of Stoney Royd Cemetery have launched a petition calling upon Calderdale Council, Bereavement Services and local elected representatives to help reopen the cemetery’s public toilets.
Although a toilet building already exists at the active Halifax cemetery, the facilities are not currently available to visitors. Campaigners say this can make visits difficult for older people, disabled visitors, those with health or continence needs, pregnant women and families with young children.
“Nobody should have to calculate how long they can safely spend remembering somebody they love based upon how long they can manage without a toilet,” the Friends said.
The group is offering more than a request. Subject to an agreement with Calderdale Council, its volunteers would be willing to help open, close, clean and monitor the facilities, while reporting maintenance problems to the appropriate council department.
President and chairperson Krzysztof-Piotr Matejak — KP — argues that the proposal would allow the council and the community to work together without requiring council employees routinely to visit solely to open and clean the building.
Section 87 of the Public Health Act 1936 gives local authorities the power to provide public conveniences, although it does not require toilets at every public location. The Equality Act 2010 also places duties upon service providers and public bodies to consider reasonable adjustments where disabled people would otherwise be placed at a substantial disadvantage.
Stoney Royd remains an active cemetery as well as an important historic site. For the Friends, reopening an existing facility would be a modest but meaningful step towards making it more accessible and welcoming.
Sign the petition to reopen the toilets at Stoney Royd Cemetery.
Sources
- Friends of Stoney Royd Cemetery, petition statement and campaign announcement.
- Public Health Act 1936, Section 87
- Equality Act 2010
- UK Government guidance on reasonable adjustments
