London
Attitudes
The people of London were very helpful
and accommodating. There has been a
large amount of progress in accessibility and in activism. Along our trip, we met a WU that was
participating in a race across London
using public transportation to demonstrate the continuous need for
transportation improvements.
Roads/Walkways
Roads are paved with
crosswalks and crossing signals.
The majority of sidewalks have ramps; however, some of the ramps are
steep or are not flush with the street.
Streets are very clean.
Food
Several restaurants in London are wheelchair
accessible; however, one must search them out. Many restaurants have one or two steps
at the front, but often staff members are willing to assist with maneuvering
the steps. The following are a few
barrier free places: TGI Fridays (Picadily Circus),
Burger King (Kensington), Supermarket (Kensington), Hard Rock Café (Hyde Park).
Shopping
Most stores in London had at least one
step at the entrance.
Transportation
Gatwick Express: The Gatwick
Express is an accessible train from Gatwick
Airport to Victoria Train Station in
the heart of London. At Gatwick airport follow the signs that
lead to the Gatwick Express area and look for an information desk. Ask the desk attendants for the
accessible platform number for that day and directions to the platform. Then locate the elevator that takes you
to the correct platform. Once on the
platform, be mindful of keeping your wheelchair wheels away from the platform
edge. Locate a train attendant on
the platform and ask to be boarded on the train. The attendant will escort a WU to the
wider door and will lay down a portable ramp. Inside the train, there are wide aisles
and an accessible seat with a table.
The bathroom is also accessible with room for a large wheelchair and
rails. A WU should purchase tickets
on the train as a discounted rate is provided for a WU and companion. Once at Victoria Station, there is an
elevator from the platform to the station street level.
http://www.gatwickexpress.co.uk/
Black Taxi: London’s
Black taxis (look for wheelchair symbol on top) are surprisingly wheelchair
friendly. A fold-out floor ramp is
built into the taxi on the drivers left side. The driver will assist with the ramp and
with maneuvering into the taxi as the ramps may be steep depending on
terrain. There is enough room for large
wheelchairs; however, height limitations may require leaning over to enter the
taxi. Also, be aware that there are
no wheelchair tie downs or seatbelts for a WU. If you and the wheelchair are
lightweight, then hold on to the grab bars. We also found that propping the luggage
against the wheelchair reduces the sliding/tipping sensation that an individual
with reduced balance may experience.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/
Underground / Tube: The Tube website claims partial accessibility,
but we found this to be quite untrue.
There is an accessible tube map available online and at a few stations;
however, the map is a few years old.
We experienced several situations in the tube that required groups of
strangers to carry me up many flights of stairs and after two days of
attempting the tube, we realized that it was unwise to continue. One tube attendant used a regular map
and marked accessible stations.
Upon arriving at one of these stations, we were met with several steps
and a steep escalator. It seems
that attendants are unsure of access.
Even at accessible stations, there are small obstacles (i.e. platform is
not level with the train). For
example, at Westminster Station, there is a lift to the platform; however,
there is a 7 inch drop between the train and platform. Also, be aware that even though there is
a wheelchair sign at the station entrance gate, it does not necessarily mean
that the train/line is accessible.
At this time, I do not recommend traveling on the tube.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/
London Buses:
Red double decker buses are definitely the
accessible, inexpensive means of travel in London.
When boarding a bus, there is a button on the exit door that one can
push to alert a driver that you need a ramp. However, some drivers do not pull close
to the curb unless they see a WU ahead of time. The best practice is to place yourself
close to the curb and when your bus comes to wave at the driver. The driver will pull in close and
activate a ramp at the rear side door from under the bus. Ramps have approximately quarter inch
lips when meeting the sidewalk. A
WU with limited strength may not be able to push up the ramp. There is a section of the bus for
wheelchairs/strollers to park. Often people stand in them, so you may
need to ask them to move. The spot
has a backrest to prevent tipping and lower grab bars. For a traveler, it is often difficult to
know where your stop is located. Be
sure to ask those around you to tell you where your stop is or have a
companion/stranger tell the bus driver where you need to get off. There is a button that you can press,
which alerts the driver of your desire to exit. If the button does not work, be sure to
nicely ask the driver to let the ramp down (be loud as the bus is often full
and the driver is unable to see you).
The majority of buses are accessible; however, some are not. The best practice for a traveler is to
access the Transport for London
website and use the Plan Your Journey option. Under Advanced Features, one can select
buses only, no stairs, and walking distances and then receive a tailored
journey itinerary. One should
purchase a few bus tickets that can be used during your stay; however, 98% of
the drivers we had did not charge for a WU and one companion.
http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
Attractions
London Zoo: If
walking from the bus stop, ask people how to get to the zoo entrance as it is
located within a huge park. If
driving, accessible parking is located close to the entrance. The entrance area has a very small lip
between the road and entrance walkway.
One companion is admitted to the zoo for free. The zoo has paved walkways and few
barriers. Some of the indoor
exhibits have alternative entrances, so be sure to look for ramp signs. Ask the information desk to provide access
to the aquarium as the accessible door is kept locked. Accessible bathrooms are located in the
men/women’s bathrooms with grab bars on the wall and a private sink.
http://www.zsl.org/london-zoo/
Tower of London: The
Tower of London has extremely limited accessibility. Stop by the welcome center to get a map
and information on access. Almost
the entire open air site is old cobblestone that is virtually impossible to
push over independently, not to mention the motion sickness experienced as the
wheelchair goes over the bumps. The
majority of the attraction is completely inaccessible to WU due to hundreds of
steps. There is no access to the
Medieval Palace (several staircases), Wall Walk (162 steps), Cradle Tower (6
steep narrow steps), Henry III Watergate (61 steps), Bloody
Tower (55 spiral steps), Beauchamp Tower
(80 spiral steps), White
Tower (41 wooden steps at
entrance; 206 steps inside), and Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula
(4 steps down; 1 step up; rock). The
crown jewels exhibit is completely accessible. Only the basement of the medieval castle
is accessible. You must ask an
employee to open the exit and to allow use of the lift, which is too small for
most wheelchairs. Most ramps are
very steep and bumpy. The
accessible bathroom is located behind the Waterloo Barracks and is a private
room with grab bars.
Buckingham Palace: When you
enter under the archways at Trafalgar
Square, stay on the right side of the street. Once you get close to the palace, there
is a small entrance to a park where there is a ramp to provide an accessible
path to the palace gate. Many cars
drive through this area and it may be beneficial to ask a policeman to escort
you across the street to the gate.
In front of the gate, there are a couple 1” curbs and a WU may
need to ask the policeman for assistance, if they are unable to get over
them. During our visit, the palace
was closed to tours, which only take place in August and September. For tours, WU are encouraged to arrange
a time with the palace to take the accessible route. The palace area has accessible bathrooms.
http://www.royal.gov.uk
Royal Mews: The Royal Mews is located behind Buckingham Palace. When looking at Buckingham Palace,
take the path on the left that leads behind the palace. There are a few curbs that do not have
ramps along the path. The Royal
Mews is accessible throughout the exhibit.
At the entrance, there are a few trapezoid shaped bumps at
security. These are fairly small
and should not cause great difficulty.
St. James Park: The park is located on the left in front of Buckingham Palace. The paths are paved throughout the
park. There are a few grated drains
along the path that could cause hazard for wheels, but these are easily avoided
as the path is wide enough for one to travel beside the grate.
London Eye: When
standing in front of the London Eye, there is a building on the left with a large
ramp. Go up the ramp and use the
accessible ticket counter to purchase tickets. A WU does not need to wait in the other
line as the exit is not accessible.
One companion is allowed to ride for free. The entrance ramp is located below the
Eye. At the end of the line, the
attendants will stop the Eye and place a ramp over the gap between the ground
and ride for a WU to get on first. The
compartment is spacious with room to maneuver a wheelchair. In addition, the London Eye Cruise is
also advertised as accessible; however, we did not check this out.
http://www.londoneye.com/ (Select Disabled Guest, Information on
Special Rates)
Westminster Abbey: At
Westminster Abbey, guides will take a WU to the head of the line and open both
doors to allow entrance space.
Abbey entrance is free for a WU and a companion. The majority of the Abbey is barrier
free. However, there are about 10
steps to access a small portion and three steep steps to access the abbey museum. WU must exit from the main
entrance. Be sure to ask an
attendant to escort you out and to open both doors at the main entrance. There are no pictures allowed in the
Abbey.
http://www.westminster-abbey.org/
Big Ben: The path outside of Big Ben is barrier
free. Entrance to Big Ben is rare
and not accessible to WU.
Natural History Museum: The Museum is barrier
free with elevators and ramps to all exhibits. Entrance to the museum is free.
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/ (Select Access Guide)
Science Museum: The
Museum is barrier free with elevators and ramps to all exhibits. Entrance to the museum is free, but
special exhibits may have a charge.
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitors/specialneeds.asp
St. Paul’s Cathedral: The main entrance is not wheelchair accessible. Follow the small signs to the side of
the building, where one will see a short, steep ramp to the accessible
entrance. Ring the bell at the door
and an attendant will come out to greet your party. There is a small elevator that will take
a WU to the main floor and to the crypt.
On the main floor, all areas are accessible except for the American
Chapel, which has approximately 3 steps.
There is no access to the upper floor or dome.
www.stpauls.co.uk (Select Visit the Chapel; then select Disabled Access)
Houses of Parliament: A WU is able to view the outside of the
Houses of Parliament with few barriers.
The bus stops along the area are affected by sidewalk curbs that have
two steps, so be sure to request that the bus driver stop in an accessible
area.
http://www.parliament.uk/
