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How accessible is the Olympic site?
Artist's impression of the finished Olympic Stadium, London. Supplied
PETERBOROUGH has already scooped one first place in the Olympics. The Peterborough Disability Forum was the first group of its kind to request more information on disability services for those going to and from London this summer, to compile a report for members. This is the account of the day by Disability Forum manager for DIAL Peterborough Bryan Tyler.
PETERBOROUGH is less than an hour away from Kings Cross by train and it is just seven minutes for the onward journey from nearby St Pancras to Stratford International Station.
I contacted Mark Dyer, Accessible Transport Manager from the Olympic Delivery Authority and arranged to meet up with him at the stadium and talk about access and transport and how people with disabilities could make the most of their visit to The Games.
I was to be joined on my journey by my colleague Barry Plumb, a wheelchair user, fitness and sport fanatic and a most reluctant train user. Who better to ask?
Barry took responsibility for arranging times and route down to the Olympics Stadium and although the National Rail Assisted Travel staff proved to be extremely polite, some of the information available was out of date and misleading.
We were told later that the London 2012 and transport-related websites were being constantly updated and not expected to be fully ready for business until February or March, so bear this in mind.
We arrived in good time and were led to the electric car that Peterborough station uses for ferrying people with disabilities around the station,
Barry was helped on and we were taken over to platform 3 where the ramp was in place and assistance ready to get us on to the Kings Cross bound train.
Remember, if you are a wheelchair user and need ramps and assistance you need to give East Coast a ring on 08457 225 333 with 24 hours notice.
It was a 55-minute journey to London and it couldn’t have been easier. The train was clean, easily accessible for wheelchairs and the disabled toilets were also accessible, clean and easy to reach.
At Kings Cross a member of staff called Tom was waiting with a ramp. He asked us if we needed help to get over the road to St Pancras as both stations are undergoing massive rebuilding projects and are not easy to get around.
Although it’s not a great distance, it can be difficult to get from Kings Cross to St Pancras if walking or mobility is an issue. Tom offered me a wheelchair which I declined but the option is there if needed.
The high speed Javelin Train will be a central part of plans to provide transport services for the thousands of Olympics spectators.
The Olympic Javelin Train service will have a 340-seat capacity and promises to speed spectators from St Pancras to the main Olympic Games site in Stratford in just seven minutes.
The only criticism was the state of the toilet. The rest of the Javelin trip was faultless
On arrival at Stratford International station, once again we were met by friendly and helpful staff who spent time explaining where places were, where we could have a coffee and where we could get good views of the work in progress.
We were early for our meeting with Mark Dyer from the Olympic Delivery Authority and decided to get a coffee in the brand new Westfield East shopping centre.
It’s worth remembering that the Westfield shopping centre has a Shopmobility Scheme in place. Call 0208 2217300 for details
One of the train staff told us to go to the John Lewis store and look out from the gantry. Much of The Games complex was still a building site at the time of our visit but the views were still breathtaking.
We met up with Mark and his colleague Emily from London 2012 to discuss access and transport for disabled people at the games.
Mark has been involved with the Olympics for over four years and is a wheelchair user himself. It was refreshing to hear about the involvement and inclusion of disabled people in the planning, preparation and delivery of the 2012 Games.
Although we couldn’t access the stadiums because of tight security and the construction work taking place, both Barry and I came away impressed and confident that the London Olympics are on track to be the most accessible yet.
For the journey home, instead of waiting around for our scheduled 7pm return to Peterborough, we decided to test how flexible the train companies were and make our way back to Kings Cross with the intention of getting an earlier train.
It has to be said, we were not overly confident. How wrong we were.
The Stratford staff suggested we waited for the train after the one in the station so that we didn’t feel the need to rush, but changing our journey time was not an issue and the ramps were requested for immediate use.
On our Javelin link return, I asked a staff member called Miranda if the staff were concerned about the number of disabled people they could get travelling at the same time during the games.
Her reply was immediate, Southeastern rail company have been preparing their staff for the last 18 months to make the journey from St Pancras to Stratford as easy and enjoyable as possible for all of their passengers and they are confident that they will provide a first class service for everyone.
Returning to Kings Cross, we asked at the information desk if we could change our travel times.
A quick check regarding availability, and within minutes one of the station staff had arranged a ramp and assisted Barry and I down to our newly allocated carriage and waited with us until Peterborough station confirmed a ramp would be waiting for us at our journey’s end. Fifty five minutes later, we were back in Peterborough.
It probably won’t always go as smoothly as our journey did, but the staff from Peterborough station, East Coast Trains, Javelin Trains, Stratford International and Kings Cross stations, and Mark and Emily from the Olympic Delivery Authority had every reason to be pleased with their day’s work.
Now! Where did I leave those pesky running shoes?
Focal point for visitors
PETERBOROUGH station will be a focal point for many visitors, as organisers want the majority of spectators to use public transport to get to The Games.
Some spectators will still drive and the A1, A14, M11 links will enable motorists from the Peterborough region to drive to the various park and ride stations around the M25 and take shuttle service to the venues.
Blue Badge parking will be provided and accessible shuttles will run between these sites and venue entrances. Reasonable assistance will be available to passengers.
Successful ticket applicants can apply for the limited stadium parking.
Disabled spectators who require parking will need to demonstrate they are members of the recognised UK Blue Badge scheme or equivalent, as well as pre-book their permit. Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
What do you think?
Contact our news team by email news@peterboroughtoday.co.uk, telephone 01733 588719, on Twitter - @peterboroughet or use our Have Your Say form
Disability Forum’s findings
THE Peterborough Disability Forum held its annual meeting in November to discuss challenges from 2011, and aims and objectives for 2012.
Here are some of its findings:
- In May the first edition of the NewsLink newsletter was published, with Nicky Hampshaw (nickyaerobones@gmail.com) as editor. It features news, views and interviews aimed at improving the lives of disabled people, their families and carers.
- In 2010 the forum was approached to provide support for a much needed Changing Places facility in the city centre, with extra features and more space to meet the most challenging of needs. The new facility was opened in Car Haven on July 18, 2011 by television actress Julie Fernandez.
- In December, www.sportingpeterborough.btck.co.uk was launched to promote sporting activities for disabled people in Peterborough.
To promote your sports club or project, contact Ian or Bryan at sportingpeterborough@gmail.com
- In May, the forum was asked to meet with Jim Daley, Principal Built Environment Officer with Peterborough City Council, who wanted its ideas for the redevelopment of Cowgate.
Several recommendations were made including better wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) parking, better tactile paving, and retaining the pedestrian crossing at the Bourges Boulevard entrance.
This work is ongoing and the forum will continue to be involved until completion.
- The Peterborough Disability Forum has been involved in the redevelopment of the railway station since late 2010, meeting with East Coast Trains and Network Rail
Much of the feedback given has been incorporated in the station plans. Work started in October 2011 and the three new lifts should be fitted by 2013.
- The Disability Forum helped reopen the Hydropool in Peterborough on March 24. It now has a client base of nearly 700 people.
A new Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied (PHAB) club, set up in November, has been a success.
- The Disability Forum was involved in Peterborough City Council’s application for funding to improve Peterborough’s “green” transport projects in the city through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.
Schemes for people with disabilities include improving access at the bus and rail stations, removing barriers along the Green Wheel and driver disability awareness training.
- Peterborough Disability Forum teamed up with Vivacity to provide cycling for disabled people. Barry Plumb and Matt Taylor now have over 45 members using 17 adapted cycles.
Beginning in May at Ferry Meadows and the regional athletics track, ‘100 Days to the Olympics’ will aim to encourage people with disabilities to get involved in sport.
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Comments
There are 8 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
harry91
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 05:18 PMGlad to see that the accessability system to and from London can work and great to see that staff will go out of that way to help. But with the system as it is currently, do you really think that the transport infastrucutre will be able to cope with those needing assistance when there are 800,000 spectators and athletes travelling to the Games on the busiest days? I would be really intrested to hear whether those needing assistance will still be confident with the system when it comes to June this year or just try avoid it all together?
giger
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:32 PMI didn't need to report Holly's comments, someone else had already done that. However I take a point of not doing this and now her comments are lost for all time (apart from in the cached version of this page). Free speech is fine, but pointing out that disabled people get in the way and they are better off watching at home is a rather pathetic thing to say. The olympics is a massive event, and a good opportunity for a lot of people as you correctly say. Holly implies that disabled people should be denied this opportunity.
Bamboozler
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 09:49 AM#4 - If there are organisations that would interested to read Holly's comments, then why did you Report them unsuitable. It is 7 months before the Olympics, plenty of time to rectify any issues they have at the moment. The number of disabled going to the Olympics will not be a significant percentage, but it will be for the Paralympics, so they do need to get better services for the disabled. The Olympics is a massive event, with enormous residual income for small businesses(ok, not so much our local SME's, but the countrys)
Holly GoIightly
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 09:01 AMgiger@4; I only express the views of many. There is such a thing as free speak.
giger
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 08:20 AMHolly, your comments are an insult to all disabled people. You suggest that disabled people should be treated as second class citizens. There are many people and organisations in Peterborough that campaign for the rights of disabled people who would be interested to read these comments - You should be banned from this website.
Freddievonklinkabottom
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 11:56 PMHolly u have gone to far this time , I am seeking advice on what u have written this evening
LangtoftLou
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 09:55 PMWho cares?
Holly GoIightly
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 09:37 PMComment removed by moderator
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