Access Statement for Steam Railway

Introduction

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet is situated between and Newport on the Isle of Wight. Visitors with disabilities are always welcome at the Railway but to get the best experience we would strongly recommend being accompanied by an able bodied carer.

How to find us..

HAVENSTREET STATION - Location: OS Ref: SZ555898 Postcode: PO33 4DS  By Road: Havenstreet Station is situated between Ryde and Newport on the Main Road through Havenstreet.  By Rail/from the Mainland: Rail access exists at Smallbrook Junction which is on the Island Line which runs from Ryde to . Visit www.islandline.co.uk From the mainland: The Wightlink Catamaran from Portsmouth docks at Ryde Pier Head and the Island Line train is 2 mins walk adjacent to the Terminus. Visit www.wightlink.co.uk  By Coach: Coach drivers are advised to approach from the West (Briddlesford Road) end thus avoiding the railway bridge and narrow road through the village.  By Bus: There is no public bus service serving Havenstreet. However, No.9 bus does serve the Station at Wootton. Visit www.islandbuses.info  Car Parking: Visiting the Isle of Wight Steam Railway by car is easy! Our large FREE car park by Havenstreet Station provides plenty of space for cars and coaches, plus a number of disabled parking bays (Disabled Badges must be displayed in your car). The main car park provides easy and fairly level access to the station. On busier days, such as when Special Events are running, we have a larger, overflow car parking area. Alternatively you may join the train at Wootton where we have another, although smaller, FREE car park. There is no vehicular access or parking at or Smallbrook Junction stations. Havenstreet Station Booking Office has a hearing loop

WOOTTON STATION - Location: OS Ref: SZ534912 Postcode: PO33 4RP By Road: Wootton Station is located 4.1 miles from Ryde Town Centre and easily access by road. A small car park provides free parking for our customers. Please note that at Wootton there is a sloping gravel footpath between the car park and platform which is not suitable for wheelchairs. Wheelchair visitors are encouraged to use Havenstreet Station or, if using public transport, access via the Island Line and Smallbrook Junction. Havenstreet Station Booking Office has a hearing loop

SMALLBROOK STATION - Location: OS Ref: SZ596906 Postcode: PO33 4BE By Road: NO ACCESS. On Foot: NO ACCESS By Rail: Via the Island Line electric rail This station is a Junction between the main electric line and Steam Railway only. The connecting ramp between the Island Line and Steam Railway is accessible by wheelchair. Please note that Island Line do not allow some mobility scooters on their trains. Havenstreet Station Booking Office has a hearing loop

Main Entrance and Ticket Office: The Ticket Office is located at the main entrance to Havenstreet Station, a short level walk from the main car park. Discounts for Disabled and Carers Visitors who are disabled and are assisted by a carer both are eligible for a discount on our Standard all day Rover Tickets. No other offers or discounts apply. Proof of disability may be requested to confirm eligibility. This may include:  A copy of the Visitor’s Award Letter for Disability Living Allowance  A copy of the Visitor’s Blue Badge  A copy of BD8 Certificate for being registered blind or partially sighted  National Disabled Identification ‘DID’ card or CredAbility Access Card

VISITING and GETTING AROUND

Customers in wheelchairs are very welcome on our railway, and our staff will always provide all possible assistance whenever required.

Wheelchair access to our shop is possible, although circulation space is tight due to the presence of four pillars, and our museum is accessible via a ramp from the shop. Our Refreshment Rooms and Carriage and Wagon workshop are both wheelchair accessible.

Our new TRAIN STORY Visitor Experience is easily accessible along its entire route with a Disabled Lift, accessible WC and baby change facilities.

Customers with particular requirements are advised to contact the railway on 01983 882204 prior to their visit.

 The Main Station Area at Havenstreet is on the flat with easy access to the platform.  The Refreshment Rooms are easily accessible and have a disabled WC.  The Shop and Museum are easily accessible. However, manoeuvrability can be slightly limited during busy periods.  The Waiting Room/Bookshop/Indoor Children’s Play Area is accessible for wheelchair users but can also be slightly restricted during busy periods.  The Woodland Walk and access to The Woodland Stage is along a gravelled path. Access to the lower woodland is down a gradient and somewhat limited for wheelchair users.  The Outdoor Children’s Play Area is accessible for wheelchair users along a road/pathway at the rear of the Refreshment Rooms.

The TRAIN STORY Discovery Centre

Our new Train Story Visitor Experience is easily accessed entirely on the flat from the Station Yard, through the Carriage and Wagon Workshops, past the Loco Yard and Woodland up to the Train Story Building.

Once inside, there is a disabled WC with baby changing facilities. A disabled lift gives access from the lower lobby area to the upper. A ramp then joins up both the upper and lower platforms at the other end of the building giving easy access to the entire facility. Seating is also available midway between the Carriage and Wagon Workshops and the Train Story Building.

TRAVELLING on our TRAINS Our carriages are of Victorian or Edwardian origin, compartment doors are too narrow for wheelchairs to enter. If the customer is able to leave the wheelchair, he or she may take the wheelchair up to the carriage door and then use the comfortable seating within the compartment. The empty wheelchair can be left with the platform staff or put into the guard's van. If the customer is unable to leave the wheelchair they may travel in one of our two carriages which have been specially modified to provide a compartment with double doors able to accommodate wheelchairs. Although these vehicles are included in the train whenever possible, we must point out that for operational and maintenance reasons, the presence of such a vehicle within the train cannot be guaranteed. At such times we will endeavour to accommodate the wheelchair within the guard's van.

We offer disabled access to most trains and our staff will provide all possible assistance whenever required. However, there is a limitation on our carriages with mobility scooters.

Assistance Dogs

All dogs are welcome at our Railway and on the trains and there is a charge. However, there is no charge for Assistance dogs including in our 1st Class compartments. We do ask that dogs are kept on a lead at all times.

Hearing Loops Our booking offices at Havenstreet, Wootton and Smallbrook have hearing loops.

Bikes, Buggies and Pushchairs Due to limited space in our Victorian and Edwardian carriages we ask that all bikes, pushchairs and buggies are transported in our guards van, but they are very welcome. Our friendly and helpful platform staff will always help you load and unload, so allowing you to relax in comfort. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a great way for cyclists to hop on and off the train to explore tracks and lanes around Ashey, Havenstreet and Wootton.

Public WCs and Baby Changing Facilities:

There are toilet facilities available at all three of our stations.. Havenstreet:  Disabled WC 1 is located just off the Station Yard area, near the entrance to the works yard and loco coaling stage (end of the Shop building)  Disabled WC 2 is located in the Refreshment Rooms.  Disabled WC3 is located in the lobby of the Train Story Building  Other WC facilities (no disabled) are available in The Waiting Room adjacent to the Signal Box and on the Events Field.  Baby Changing facilities: are available at disabled WC2 (Refreshment Rooms) and the Waiting Room adjacent to the Signal Box.

Smallbrook:  Disabled WC and baby changing facilities are located in the Waiting Room on the platform.

Wootton:  Disabled WC and baby changing facilities are located in the Waiting Room on the platform.

Railway Movement and Sounds: The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a working museum. Visitors are reminded that there is often loud or sudden noise and sudden movements. In particular, an occasional necessity to release steam is spectacular, but can be unexpected to visitors.

Contacting Us

Isle of Wight Steam Railway Havenstreet Station Main Road Havenstreet Isle of Wight PO33 4DS

Telephone: 01983 882204 Fax Number: 01983 884515 Email: [email protected]

Hours of Operation see website for operating Timetables and Special Events.

Website Address: www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk