Disabled Facilities on East Coast

[poshfan]

Can someone please tell me what the disabled facilities are like on East Coast trains. I want to take my mum on a trip up to York, from Peterborough, but she is disabled, she cannot walk at all and cannot stand unaided.

I have previously noticed seats marked as priority seats for the disabled but didn't take much notice. Mum would much prefer to use a proper seat rather than stay in her collapsible wheelchair, which anyway only has push-bike type hand brakes. However to do the transfer I need free space immediately in front of the coach chair and be able to point the wheelchair at that same space. I then place a small plastic turntable about 1 ft in diameter on the floor, she stands up on it against me, rotate, and sit down again. We use this method for transferring into the front passenger seat of a car, she ends up sitting in the car seat facing out sideways, so then just have to swivel her round.

Do the tables in front of the disabled seats fold or swing out of the way or are they fixed in position? If they are fixed it makes it very difficult. Is there more space in first class than standard?

Also I have doubts about whether the disabled toilets could be big enough. I would need to be able to get the wheelchair right in and still have room to get in myself and have space between the loo and the toilet to place the turntable and stand next to it to do the transfer. But this isn't a show stopper if impractical, will just have to cut down on the coffees and visit the loo at the station beforehand.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[ainsworth74]

The disabled toilet is probably big enough for a wheelchair, passenger and another person but it will be a tight squeeze. Probably best to be avoided unless it's urgent I'd have thought. I'm not sure about standard class but in first class the seat next to the wheelchair area has a fixed table but there is a gap between it and the front of the seat (probably three inches). There is quite a lot of space next to it so you could have the wheel chair alongside the table in front of the seat then have your mum stand next to the seat and then swivel and sit in the seat. I'm not sure of the specifics of standard class (it's a long walk from where I am to look and its a busy train!) but it's a similar arrangement.

I would also advise ringing East Coast to discuss arrangements and see what they can do for you.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I suggest your ring east coast as they will also be able to book you seats to ensure no problems.

 

[Tetchytyke]

The wheelchair space has plenty of room if you're in the wheelchair, but it's less good if you don't want to be in it. The seats by the wheelchair space are tip-up seats and they're pretty uncomfortable, but it should be easy enough to move down the carriage slightly to get a proper seat. The only problem with the wheelchair space in standard is that everyone always seems to treat it as a baggage storage area, so telling the staff in advance what train you're on is essential. Personally I think any bags left there should be physically thrown off the train, but there you go.

The toilets are fairly roomy, as big as you're going to get on a train, so there should be enough room. They're also right next to the wheelchair space.

Do speak to EastCoast to discuss options, they can advise on reservations and get you support at both stations.