WELCOME TO NEWTON ABBOT RACECOURSE Accessibility Statement February 2018 This access statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with disabilities but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our customers/visitors. Completed January 2018 Page 1 of 12
A Warm Welcome Welcome to Newton Abbot Racecourse which lies in the heart of the South West of England. It s within easy reach of major motorways in the South of England and Wales. Parking is easy and free. Newton Abbot has its own railway station and is on the main line from Paddington to Penzance and Edinburgh to Plymouth. The racecourse site is 100 acres. To plan your route, Newton Abbot s postcode is TQ12 3AF. Newton Abbot Racecourse is an exciting venue with the highest levels of service there s something for everyone! Whether you re a seasoned racegoer or you re coming for the very first time, there s something for everyone. With fantastic food, competitive racing, super children s playground and even a crèche it s a great day out for families and racing lovers alike. A day at Newton Abbot Racecourse is the perfect opportunity for entertaining clients in a unique and special environment. We provide a friendly relaxed base to meet contacts and celebrate with friends. Whether you re looking to impress or working to a budget, holding a conference, exhibition or looking for a setting for your special day, Newton Abbot Racecourse is the place to be. Ideally located and easily accessible, you and your guests are only a short journey from our tranquil and intimate course. We look forward to welcoming you in 2018. Completed January 2018 Page 2 of 12
Contents 1. General Information 2. Visiting Us: By Train By Bus By Taxi By Car 3. Scooter Hire 4. Assistance Dogs 5. Main Entrances: Pedestrian Owners / Trainers / Officials Car Non-Racedays 6. General Office 7. Course Enclosure 8. Paddock Enclosure 9. Teign Suite 10. Silks 11. First Aid 12. Toilets 13. Emergency Procedures 14. Future Plans 15. Feedback Completed January 2018 Page 3 of 12
1. General Information Newton Abbot Racecourse and all car parks are on level ground with the main grandstand and Teign Suite over two floors. There is lift access to each area. The majority of the racecourse is accessible by wheelchair. Manual wheelchair users may need assistance in some areas. Accessible facilities and baby changing facilities are available. 2. Visiting Us By Train: Newton Abbot has its own railway station within three quarters of a mile of the course and is on the main line from Paddington to Penzance and Edinburgh to Plymouth. The station is fully accessible for wheelchairs. We would advise you to plan your trip in advance with an online route planner or with Train Tracker TM Text 84950. More information on the train station and its services and accessibility can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/nta/details.html. You can find the station at: Station Road, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2JE. By Bus: We would advise you to plan your trip in advance if travelling by Stagecoach. Please refer to www.stagecoachbus.com. For local patrons from Exeter, take the X64, 39 or 2. The X64 is the most direct route. The 39 runs via Chudleigh and Bovey Tracey while the 2 operates along the coast through Dawlish and Teignmouth. From Brixham, Paignton and Torquay, take the 12, and from Totnes the X64 or 177. By Taxi: Taxis are available from the railway station. Accessible taxis can be pre-arranged by contacting the following: www.accessiblecountryside.org.uk/devon-taxis Alan Taxis 01626 889095 or 770004 Teignbridge Taxis 01626 333333 Completed January 2018 Page 4 of 12
By Car: From the M5: Patrons should follow the A380 towards Torquay. The recommended routes are signposted on brown tourist signage, nearer the course you will be directed by new signage on Greenhill Way. From Plymouth and the South West: Racegoers should leave the A38 at the junction signposted Newton Abbot then pick up the brown tourist signage and nearer the course you will be directed by new signage on Greenhill Way. General and disabled parking is accessed from Greenhill Way in Kingsteignton at the traffic lights into Winners 2000 Gym and not from our main frontage opposite Tesco by the Beefeater/Premier Inn. There is brown tourist directional signing on all approaches to the racecourse signed Public Entrance with a racehorse. All officials and owners and trainers enter the racecourse off the roundabout opposite Tesco. The car parks are level and there are seven wheelchair bays and a further 50 spaces on a level crushed stone base. There is no charge for parking. Disabled patrons who are being dropped off by car/taxi should use the layby at the front entrance of the racecourse off the Tesco roundabout and enter the course through the pedestrian entrance. This entrance is a level tarmaced walkway. Completed January 2018 Page 5 of 12
3. Scooter Hire We can hire mobility scooters for you with advance notice and subject to availability. Please call 01626 353235 or email management@newtonabbotracing.com. 4. Assistance Dogs Assistance dogs are welcome at Newton Abbot Racecourse but should be kept on a lead at all times. 5. Main Entrances Pedestrian Entrance: The pedestrian entrance is on ground level and is a level walkway. The main entrance is a set of double doors which are kept permanently open on racedays (see picture below). If you have pre-booked tickets for collection, this entrance is to the left of the main entrance and again consists of double doors that are open throughout the day. There are clear location signs throughout. The area is well lit. Completed January 2018 Page 6 of 12
Owners / Trainers / Officials Entrance: This entrance is on ground level and is a level walkway. Easy access from the car park. The Owners and Trainers Bar is on the ground floor of the main grandstand in the Paddock Enclosure opposite the parade ring and has ramp access. Car Entrance - Ticket Office: This entrance is on ground level and is a level walkway. The main entrance is a set of double doors which are kept permanently open on racedays. If you have pre-booked tickets, these are available on the right as you go through the doors. There are clear location signs throughout. The area is well lit. Completed January 2018 Page 7 of 12
Non-Racedays: Access by car is via the roundabout opposite Tesco. Keep to the right hand side with the Premier Inn on your left. Signage for all non racedays is easy to follow. All car parking is on a tarmac surface. 6. General Office The General Office is sited on the ground floor of the main grandstand in the Paddock Enclosure opposite the parade ring, next door to the Owners & Trainers Bar. Access is available by both step and ramp. The office is manned on all racedays. The office sells seats for the main grandstand overlooking the course at 2. These seats are not suitable for wheelchair patrons as you have to climb steps to access them. Completed January 2018 Page 8 of 12
7. Course Enclosure Entrance is 12 to the Course Enclosure and includes a disabled toilet with access by radar key. The key is available from the security steward nearby. All disabled patrons and their carer s are entitled to a free upgrade to the Paddock Enclosure. Should anyone wish to stay in the Course Enclosure there is a ramp up to the grandstand. 8. Paddock Enclosure The Paddock Enclosure offers a main grandstand on two floors with lift access to the second floor. This enclosure also houses the Teign Suite which contains our hospitality boxes. The main grandstand on ground level consists of bars, toilets, lift to the second floor, betting outlets and Silks coffee lounge. These areas are all accessible and on level ground. The second floor houses a disabled toilet, bars and the Paddock carvery. Due to the nature of this old building it is not possible for wheelchair patrons to access the front of the stand to watch the racing. 9. Teign Suite The Teign Suite is a private hospitality area on two floors with lift access to both floors as well as a staircase. There are eight private boxes on the second floor with two large hospitality suites and our award-winning Winning Post Restaurant on the first floor. Access is available for all disabled patrons. Completed January 2018 Page 9 of 12
10. Silks Silks is located opposite the First Aid area on the ground floor of the main grandstand with access from inside the betting halls or from an outside door. The door is a single door and suitable for wheelchairs. Tables are both metal and wooden of various heights with sofa chairs and arm rests. There is a low level counter and the café is well lit and surrounded by windows giving a lot of natural light. 11. First Aid The first aid building is within the weighing room complex opposite the parade ring. 12. Unisex Disabled Toilets Designated accessible facilities are located in the main grandstand in the Paddock Enclosure, Course Enclosure and Teign Suite. We do not currently have Braille or tactile signage. All doors are controlled with radar keys. The toilets are well lit with tiled flooring. There are lever taps on the basin. Completed January 2018 Page 10 of 12
13. General Emergency Procedures The emergency alarm is a voice activation sound. Emergency lighting is linked to the fire alarm system. There are two emergency assembly points, one in the Paddock Enclosure marked A on the map below and one in the Course Enclosure marked B. 14. Future Plans This policy statement will be reviewed and updated at the start of each racing season. We will identify areas where improvements are required and look at solutions to any issues raised. We not only want to comply with relevant legislation, but also to go further in providing a top quality experience for all visitors. We will endeavour to ensure that disabled people are not treated any less favourably and that reasonable adjustments are made where appropriate and possible through sensitive and creative solutions. Where access to certain amenities is not possible for various reasons, alternative services, wherever possible, assist in overcoming these restrictions. Completed January 2018 Page 11 of 12
15. Feedback We appreciate and welcome any comments relating to your visit to Newton Abbot Racecourse or to this Access Statement. We are always interested in hearing of ways to improve our visitor experiences. Please email your enquiry or comments to management@newtonabbotracing.com, telephone 01626 353235, or contact a member of staff when you visit us. Completed January 2018 Page 12 of 12