Very wheelchair friendly
5
5
Date of visit: September 2016
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
15 of us booked for the Flying Scotsman. We had 2 in electric wheelchairs & booked spaces for all in their accessible carriage. We were boarded first with a ramp for the chairs. One transferred to a chair one stayed in the wheelchair but it was great to be together for an unforgettable day. The carriage has a disabled toilet with room to get the wheelchair in and transfer - though it is a little light on space we were impressed to have the provision with grab bars and stuff on an old train. There were several staff members on hand to help detrain using the ramps. The shop and platforms were crowded for the special day but they, and the restaurant, were all flat access so would possibly be easier to access when quieter in the week or on a non-event weekend. We managed. The route to/from the adjacent car park is currently a little narrow with works ongoing but still navigable by chair. There are some disabled spaces and you can get a free parking token from the shop if you have a blue badge. Couldn’t have done better!!
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
Parking & Transport
Excellent
There are disabled spaces on site, flat (dropped kerb) access to the path to the station and flat path to the shop from where you can get a free parking token to use when you leave.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
There was an accessible toilet on the station platform with room to turn around a compact electric wheelchair (probably not a scooter). The accessible toilet on the wheelchair carriage was good, with grab bars and some room to manoeuvre.
Staff
Excellent
Everyone was friendly and helpful - mostly unpaid volunteers and on day 6 of a very busy event so well done them. Did what they could to help with loading/unloading up the ramp which was done by the individuals in their chairs under their own power.
Additional Information
I would totally recommend the Severn Valley Railway for its ability to manage wheelchair access - I would recommend calling ahead so they are prepared for your arrival in case there are any restrictions when the accessible carriages run. I'm not sure.
