Overview

Clifton Down Railway Station is an accessible station for the most part, though there is a bit of work required in locating the accessible entrances due to poor signage. Nearby, you’ll find Clifton Village, which has a variety of independent shops, boutiques, delis and cosy cafés. The area is home to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Let's see how the station holds up.

Transport & Parking

There are two car parks at this location. The first car park is just off Whiteladies Road. I understand this car park is operated by GWR, but there are several spaces marked as property of Bristol University which require a parking permit. There are three accessible parking spaces with hatched markings and three without - these three are within the permit area, which leads me to believe there are really only three available for general use on this side of the station. It's worth noting that the entire car park is on a slope. The second entrance is via St John’s Road. There are plenty of standard parking spaces on this side, but no accessible spaces. As with the other car park, this one is also on a steep slope. This entrance is the best way to access Platform 2 as it’s only reachable from this side. On Whiteladies Road, there’s a bus stop served by routes 1, 2, 2a, 3, 4, 71, T7, Y6 and the National Express 040. I couldn't see a bus route on St John’s Road, but you can cut through the first car park, past the bars at the side of the station and come out at the second car park – just beware of the steep hill, particularly if you’re using a wheelchair!

Access

I found access to the platforms a little confusing due to a lack of signage. If you enter via the car park just off Whiteladies Road, you'll find a wooden ramp leading into the station. Please note this is the step-free route to Platform 1 only; you cannot access Platform 2 via this route. If you pass beneath the stone archway, you'll see the stairs down to Platform 1 on the right. There are rails on either side, tactile markings at the top and bottom, and painted edges on both the top and bottom steps of each level. If you continue forward, you'll eventually see a steep concrete ramp leading down to Platform 1. There are rails on either side, but at several sections on the way down there are barriers to prevent bikes from coming down the ramp at speed. This quickly becomes a slalom course on the way down, which adds extra challenge to accessing the platform. To access Platform 2 without using the stairs, you either have to enter via the car park off St John's Road or cut through the Whiteladies Road car park, go past the pubs and come out on the other side. This entrance has a sloping ramp as you come to the platform. Each of the platforms has yellow tactile paving at the platform edges, metal seats along the platform and a rain shelter with seats inside. Ticket machines can be found on either platform. The machines can be reached by most from a seated height, though the screens are a little high up. The keypad, card reader and ticket dispenser tray are low down. The machines also have a headphone jack. I couldn't see where they were located, but Network Rail advises that there is a hearing loop active at the station. Generally, the access here is good; it's just a shame that the accessible routes to the platforms aren't well signposted. The absence of alternative formats and braille at this station makes it a pretty average station overall.

Toilets

There are no toilets here, though Clifton Down Shopping Centre is nearby.

Staff

The station is unstaffed. For this reason, GWR ask that you book assistance ahead of time.

Photos