The temporary toilets arrived last week and are being installed by B&S in the Wills Hall, they are a mains fed vacuum system plugged into the existing drains, so although temporary should be pleasant to use. These facilities will be in place whilst the refurbishment of the historic WCs is undertaken, it is hoped that the newly refurbished toilets will open in conjunction with the Da Vinci exhibition at the end of March.

Installation of a new ventilation system and new sanitarywear will greatly improve the existing toilets; the changes to the layout include a new fully compliant accessible WC, baby change room with parent and child toilet and separate baby feeding room, all of which will greatly enhance the museum’s accessibility and family friendly status.

Meanwhile in the basement B&S have undertaken the site set up and begun a limited strip out of the lightwell and redundant services. Full scale demolition will commence when the remainder of the areas are certified to be free from asbestos.

Bray and Slaughter have now been appointed by Bristol City Council to undertake the lift installation, reconfiguration and refurbishment works, they will begin site familiarisation and setup before Christmas with a start in earnest on the 9^th January 2012, it is anticipated that the work will take 6 months to complete.

The Museum have been preparing for the work to start and have protected the precious Assyrian Reliefs from vibration and moved various displays and staff facilities so that there is enough space for the contractor to establish work areas and set up the protective hoardings.