Eastbourne Guide for Disabled People

Eastbourne Guide for Disabled People

CONTENTS Section Introduction Getting About Bus Chairways Rail Parking Taxis Wheelchairs The Promenade, Waterfront, Harbour Accessible Public Toilets Chairway Maps Hotel Accommodation Parks and Gardens Useful Contacts Larger Shopping Centres Theatres, Cinemas, Art Gallery Sensory Impairment Page 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 6-12 13 13 14-15 16 17 18 Page 1

INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Eastbourne Access Guide, published by the Eastbourne Access Group, and sponsored by the Eastbourne Borough Council which originally drew up the Chairway maps. Eastbourne is a fine Victorian town, built mostly on the level but with steps and stairs everywhere! We are working hard to make it accessible to all people, and we hope that the information in the following pages will make it easier for disabled people whether they are residents or visitors, to enjoy the amenities of the town. We have created Chairways for those who get about on wheels to tour the town safely, via pavements with drop kerbs at road crossings and sloped paving where steps occur. You will find 7 pages of maps in the centre of the Guide. The red dots show which side of the road is best to travel. Eastbourne Access Group is made up of people with various disabilities, who are concerned to Make Places, Spaces and Information accessible to Disabled People. Our website provides a lot of useful information about local facilities and places to eat, put together by our members. New members are always welcome, and if you would prefer to do something constructive rather than merely grumble about access problems, we would be glad to hear from you either by phone: 0781 0317 185 Or e-mail: info@eastbourneaccessgroup.org.uk Our website is: www.eastbourneaccessgroup.org.uk General information is available from www.visiteastbourne.com The Tourist Information Centre is in Cornfield Road BN21 4QA Tel: 0871 663 0031. The Seafront Office is open April to October, on Grand Parade by the Bandstand, Lower Parade. Tel: 01323 410611. Page 2

GETTING ABOUT Buses. Eastbourne uses Stagecoach services. The two circular routes called the Loop and the 1/1a service, use accessible buses most of the time. They accept mobility scooters no more than 1 metre long, but require owners to have a safety training certificate first. Ring Stagecoach Disability Helpline 01227 812409 for details. Time-tables available on the bus, or from www.stagecoachbus.com/eastbourne Chairways. We have developed a series of wheelchair-friendly routes, known as Chairways, using drop kerb pavement crossings and pedestrian crossings. You will find maps of these routes on the centre pages of this Guide. Rail. Southern Rail provides accessible coaches, marked by vertical red stripes on the doors, on each train. Four spaces are available for wheelchairs and mobility scooters in accessible coaches, but you must expect to share these with bicycles and child pushchairs. Maximum size of wheelchairs allowed is 700x1200mm. All local stations are accessible, but use the level crossing to cross the line at Hampden Park and at Polegate. Hampden Park has a Help Point and Hearing Loop on Platform 2. If you may need help, ring the Assisted Travel Line on 0800 138 1016, at least 24 hours before you travel. Car Parking. Blue Badge holders may park free in the Council car parks and on-street, except in spaces designated for other users and on chevron-marked no-waiting and no-loading areas. However, Hyde Gardens car park (max 2 hours) and the multistorey car parks (Arndale Centre (free on Sundays), Junction Road, and Trinity Place) do charge disabled drivers. There is no time restriction for Blue Badge holders in the Pay-and-Display spaces. Eastbourne Parking Information Centre, 55 Gildredge Road BN21 4QW. Tel: 08456 801129 (option 1) can tell you where blue badge spaces are. Please read road signage and markings Page 3

Eastbourne Taxis Call-a-cab 01323 746746 Radio Cars 01323 749749 Sussex Cars 01323 726726 Eastbourne and Country 01323 720720 Mark Lester 0781 3800 948 (Accessible Taxibus) Wheelchairs and Scooters These can be hired from: AB Mobility, 7a. St Marys Walk, Hailsham. 01323 849736 Red Cross, Glennys Estate, Latimer Rd. E/B. 01323 732471 Clearwell Mobility, High St. Polegate. 01323 484060 Mobility Hire, 149 Tideswell Rd. E/B. 01323 721223/638046 My Health, 228 Terminus Rd. E/B. 01323 722555 Proctor Health Care, 8 Station Parade E/B. 01323 417508 Shopmobility, Rear exit of Arndale Centre. 01323 439585 Southern Mobility, 2a, Cavendish Avenue E/B. 01323 645067 Weald Mobility, 330 Seaside E/B 01323 431455 The Promenade This stretches from Holywell in the West to Langney Point in the East. Ramps lead to the Lower Prom near the Pier, Bandstand, and Wish Tower. During the summer, the Dotto train (accessible) runs the length of the Prom and on to the Harbour. There are wooden pathways to high water mark at the Lifeguard Station, and on both sides of the bandstand. Accessible toilets are situated at Holywell, Bandstand, Pier, Redoubt Bowls Pavilion, Fisherman s Green and Langney Point. (RADAR Key) The Bandstand is wheelchair accessible and there are accessible public toilets nearby on both Lower and Middle Proms. Seafront Office Tel: 01323 410611. (Open April-October) The Waterfront and Sovereign Harbour Most of the harbour development is accessible by wheelchair. Large free car park with blue badge spaces and an accessible public toilet. Accessible walkways to and around the Waterfront s shops, bars and restaurants, some with accessible toilets. Sovereign Retail park, with shops, cinema, and petrol station is adjacent. Page 4

ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC TOILETS Eastbourne has many accessible public toilets as shown on the Chairway maps (centre pages), as well as the toilets in the shopping centres, railway station, and Waterfront (South Harbour). Most are kept locked so always have your RADAR (National Key Scheme) key with you. Keys can be purchased from the Town Hall, Shopmobility, the Tourist Information Centre and the Arndale Centre office (which is upstairs). They are situated on the Seafront: Beachy Head, in the main car park Holywell, on lower Prom. Helen Gardens, at rear of Pavilion Bandstand, on both Middle and Lower Prom. Pier. (Under the Pier, on the lower Prom.) Treasure Island Car Park, attached to the Bowling Pavilion Fishermans Green, by the Tennis Courts Prince William Parade, by the Water Works South Harbour, in the pedestrian area. And Elsewhere: Age Concern (Eastbourne), The Venton Centre, Junction Road Arndale Centre, main square Congress Theatre car park (only during tennis events) Eastbourne Library, Use lift to top floor Hampden Park, beside Cafe Hyde Gardens, beside Tourist Information Centre Junction Road Multistory Car Park Princes Park, beside Cafe Railway Station, main concourse The large supermarkets also have accessible toilets, ASDA Crumbles Retail park, Morrisons, Lottbridge Drove, Sainsburys, Cross Levels Way, Tescos, Lottbridge Drove, Waitrose, High Street Old Town Page 5

Chairway Old Town Page 6

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Page 10 Chairway Town Centre

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Chairway Harbour & South Langney Page 12

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION Eastbourne is well supplied with hotels and guesthouses, large and small, but in the nature of things, traditional architecture limits accessibility. The Tourist Information Centre has a list of hotels which are more or less accessible (tel: 0871 663 0031). Some have hearing loops to help deaf guests. The staff will be pleased to select the most suitable for particular disabilities. Alternatively search www.visiteastbourne.com. It is then your responsibility to check with an individual hotel whether it will meet your needs. PARKS AND GARDENS Gildredge Park Entrances in Dittons Road, Compton Place Road and the Goffs. Small car park at Goffs entrance, otherwise street parking. Blind bowls, cafe, tennis, play area, skate park. Toilets not accessible. Hampden Park A beautiful park in the north of the town. Wheelchair paths through wooded section. Level path round lake, play area, accessible toilet near cafe. Roadside parking. Helen Gardens King Edwards Parade. Street parking. Rose Garden, Bowls, Cafe, Putting, Accessible toilet beside pavilion. Motcombe Gardens Motcombe Road. Street parking. Small quiet park with pond. Bowls. Princes Park Entrances in Wartling Road and Channel View Road (Dotto train stop). Street parking. Lake with model boats, splash pad, play areas, cafe, accessible toilet, bowls. Shinewater Park Access from Larkspur Drive and from Pigs Lane bridle path. Street parking. Large man-made lake, surfaced pathways, fishing stations. Toilets and refreshments at The Mill and The Toby in Willingdon Drove. Western Lawns King Edwards parade. Leads up to the Wish Tower (Martello Tower) Large open space, much used for public events, cafes, RNLI museum. Page 13

LARGER SHOPPING CENTRES Arndale Centre. (Town Centre) Under cover, on one level. Accessible toilets in main square. Multi-storey car park (charges) with lift. Shopmobility is situated just outside rear exit, near Marks & Spencers. No banks, post office or petrol station. Sovereign Retail Park. (Next to Sovereign Harbour) Large free car parking with spaces for blue badge drivers. ASDA supermarket with post office and accessible toilet. 6-screen cinema, with accessible seats. Other large retail units plus chemist and petrol station. Langney Shopping Centre. Large free car park with spaces for blue badge holders. Accessible toilet near Kingfisher Pub. Post Office, bank, chemist, library, supermarket, and other shops. Broadwater Way. Large free car park with blue badge section. Sainsburys supermarket, with chemist and accessible toilet. Also Currys/PC World, DFS furniture store and a petrol station. Admirals Retail Park. (Lottbridge Drove) Large free car park with blue badge spaces. Tesco supermarket with chemist and accessible toilet. Homebase with accessible toilet. Several large retail units. Petrol station. Freshwater Square. (Willingdon). Small car park with two blue badge spaces. Tesco s. Chemist, and other shops. Hampden Park Retail Centre. Three car parks with blue badge spaces, Morrisons supermarket with petrol and cafe, Dunelm with cafe and toilets, B & Q, and other large stores. Banks and Building Societies. These are mainly accessible. The majority are situated in the Town Centre, in Terminus Road, Gildredge Road and Cornfield Road. Post Office. Is situated in Langney Road. Accessible. Page 14

USEFUL CONTACTS Local Support Groups 3VA Voluntary Action. Information and Resource centre for voluntary groups. Maintains directory of all local groups and services. Tel: 01323 639373. Age Concern Eastbourne. The Venton Centre, Junction Road. BN21 3QY. Services for people aged 50 and over. Cafe, Hairdresser, therapies, activities, shopping service and home from hospital service. Tel: 01323 638474. Care for the Carers support, information, advice, newsletter, for unpaid carers in East Sussex. Tel: 01323 738390. Citizens Advice Bureau. Highlight House, 8 St Leonards Road. BN21 3UH. Tel: 01323 417177. East Sussex Disability Association (ESDA) 1 Faraday Close, Hampden Park BN22 9BH. Disabled living centre and Occupational Therapy advice. Empowering and supporting disabled people. Tel: 01323 514500. Eastbourne Seniors Forum A voice for over 50s, newsletter, and directory of leisure facilities. Tel: 01323 479846. Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) Russell Centre. Provides social activities, lunches, chiropody, etc. 24 Hyde Road. BN21 4SX. Tel: 02323 412279. Samaritans 13 Bolton Road BN21 3JT. Tel: 01323 735555. Mobility Disability Equipment Service National website, advertising unwanted equipment for sale. www.disabilityequipmentservice.org.uk Reid+Dean. 43-45 Cornfield Road BN21 4QG. Estate agency specialising in Mobility Friendly Homes Clients can be shown details of accessible properties from across the UK. Tel: 01323 412550. Shopmobility Arndale Centre, by Marks and Spencers. Tel: 01323 439585. Sovereign Swimming Club. For disabled people. Meets Sunday afternoons at Motcombe baths (accessible). For details, telephone: Rowena 01323 484165. Page 15

USEFUL CONTACTS Details of the mobility shops can be found on page 4. Some will hire other mobility equipment. Red Cross will loan equipment for a donation. Public and Local Authority Services Adult Social Care Helps people who need extra support, and vulnerable people to live as independently as possible. Tel: 0345 60 80 191. Blue Badge Team Information and help with application. Tel: 01323 464244. On-line application www.gov.uk East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. Offer free home safety checks and smoke detectors. Ring to see if you are eligible. Tel: 0800 1777 069. Eastbourne Central Library 1 Grove Road BN21 4TL. Tel: 0345 60 80 196. Other branches at Hampden Park and Langney Shopping Centre. Equal Access and Home Library Service memberships, (large print, audio-books, DVDs, and specialised books) can all be accessed via your local library. Tourist Information Centre Cornfield Road BN21 4QA. Accessible building with public wheelchair toilet adjacent. Staff helpful in finding suitable accommodation. Tel: 0871 6630 031. Wealden & Eastbourne Lifeline (Welbeing) Greencote House, 32 St Leonards Road BN21 3UT. 24-hour telephone response service for vulnerable people. Tel: 01323 644422. Health Services Drop-in Doctor Surgery Eastbourne Rail Station (8am-8pm). Tel: 01323 726650. Eastbourne District General Hospital Kings Drive BN21 2UD Tel: 01323 417400 Emergency Dental Service Hailsham. Tel 01323 449170. St Wilfrids Hospice 1 Broadwater Way E/B 01323 434200. Cafe open to public. Page 16

THEATRES, CINEMAS and ART GALLERY Box Office for all theatres: 01323 412000 Eastbourne Theatres operate a free scheme for those who need a carer to be with them at a show, in order to assist them. Apply for Essential Companion Scheme form at the box office. Congress Theatre has 13 wheelchair spaces. Accessible toilet. Lift. Infra-red audio system. Blue badge parking adjacent. Devonshire Park Theatre has 3 wheelchair spaces. Access from service road beside theatre. Blue badge parking in front of theatre. Loop audio system. Audio-description is available Friday evenings and Saturday Matinees. Accessible toilet. Royal Hippodrome Theatre. 2 wheelchair spaces. Accessible toilet. Loop audio system. Winter Garden - Floral Hall Wheelchair entrance from Compton Street, and on request from rear. Accessible toilet. Loop audio system. Bar/Cafe open for events. Gold Room. Lift. Accessible toilet. Loop audio system. Cinemas, at Sovereign Park (Harbour) and Langney Road. The Cinema Exhibitor s Association Card allows people with disabilities to obtain a free ticket for their attendant. You must be receiving Disability Living Allowance/PIP, Attendance Allowance, or be a Registered Blind Person. To apply for a card, visit www.cinemauk.org.uk/cea-card. Enquiries: 0845 123 1292. The Birley Centre. A contemporary performing arts centre. Part of Eastbourne College, College Road. Contact 01323 451931. Towner Art Gallery. Next to Congress Theatre. Fully accessible, with lift, accessible toilet, and cafe. Tel: 01323 434670. Under Ground Theatre. Situated under the Central Library. Not wheelchair accessible, loop audio system. Tel:01323 430077 Page 17

Facilities for Sensory Impairment Hearing Link is a national organisation that offers a range of services to help people adjust to and manage the challenges that hearing loss can bring. Its headquarters is in Eastbourne, at 27-28 The Waterfront, BN23 5UZ. Tel: 0300 111 1113. East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre, 8 St Leonards Road, has a display of assistive devices, a mobile advisory service, and lip reading and sign language classes. Tel 01323 722505. Under difficult hearing situations, such as noisy places, and trying to hear people from behind security screens, a hearing (induction) loop is a great help. We have tried to ensure that these places have a working loop. The theatres, most banks, churches, the station and some supermarkets are equipped. Look out for the sign at the entrance, and at on the counter. T Facilities for Visually Impaired People Eastbourne Blind Society is our local social and resource centre for VIPs. 124 Longstone Road, BN21 3SJ. Tel: 01323 729511. The Society regularly holds White Stick Awareness Days to raise the profile of VIPs. The Library Service has a range of large print and audio-books for those who have difficulty with small print. The Friends of Devonshire Park Theatre arrange Audiodescription of plays at the theatre on Friday nights and Saturday matinees. The Talking Newspaper Tel: 01323 727273. The main Pedestrian Precinct in Terminus Road has been made user-friendly by using contrasting colours for street furniture, and arranging the furniture in straight lines. Page 18