Accessible Brighton & Hove: General information. Visitor Information Centre The Visitor Information Centre in Brighton provides as much assistance as possible for visitors with disabilities. The centre is fully accessible to the disabled. For those with hearing difficulties, communication via Mincom is possible on 01273 292595. (Please note you will not get through to this number with a normal phone). The Visitor Information Centre also has a wide range of information sheets, which can be made available in large type, Braille or on audio tape/CD. Please contact us should you need any information in an alternative format. If you are looking for somewhere to stay, and you have internet access, our website www.visitbrighton.com is very comprehensive and easy to use, and does have some very useful tips. To find accommodation or attractions with accessibility do go to our Accessibility pages where you can reach the various individual information sheets we do. Alternatively, you will find that there is a guided search facility which will enable you to choose the relevant facility. You will notice that each accommodation record also provides details of its individual 'accessibility information', which will give you information on all other help the establishment can give. It is advisable to contact the provider for specific information before visiting the city. The Visitor Information Centre is at: Royal Pavilion Shop, Pavilion Buildings, Brighton. BN1 1EE. Tel 0300 300 00 88 or via Mincom on 01273 292595, by fax on 01273 292594, or via email: visitor.info@visitbrighton.com . We are open daily from 10am-5pm with extended hours in the summer months. Environment & Geography For people who have not visited Brighton before, it may be helpful to know that Brighton is situated on a hill that runs from north to south and from west to east across the city centre. This means that some of the routes within the centre are quite steep, with gradients of up to 1:6 (including Trafalgar Street which runs east to west from the train station). Wheelchair users arriving by train are therefore advised to use Queens Road as the main road to the city centre, and then either Western Road to the main shops, West Street to the sea, or North Street to the shopping areas of the North Laine and the Lanes, and the Royal Pavilion. Some of the streets in the historic parts of the city can be rather narrow, which means that they can become quite congested. Please contact the Visitor Information Centre staff for information on forthcoming major events, which might help you to plan your trip. Getting around Car There are parking bays for Blue Badge holders in most areas in the city centre. Blue Badge holders can park for free in Pay & Display Bays, and Dual Resident/Pay & Display bays in Brighton & Hove however not ‘resident only’ bays and city centre Car Parks. Although parking on double yellow lines should normally be avoided, Blue Badge holders with a clock are allowed to park on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours, provided they are not causing any obstruction (this excludes the Kings Road area where no parking is allowed). The blue badge must be displayed with the expiry date and serial number visible and a time clock showing the time of arrival. Parking for disabled visitors/ blue badge holders There are parking bays specifically for blue badge holders in most areas in the city centre and these will be marked. Otherwise, parking for blue badge holders is allowed in any pay & display bay, free of charge for an unlimited period. However, please note that parking is not permitted in resident permit bays without a resident permit. Blue badges should always be clearly displayed. Although parking on double yellow lines should normally be avoided (please check street signs for guidance), parking on these and single yellow lines is allowed for up to 3 hours with the clock clearly displayed as long as they are not causing an obstruction or there are no loading restrictions. Please note that parking on double yellow lines on Kings Road is not permitted. For more information please contact the parking information centre at Hove Town Hall, Church Road, Hove BN3 4AH. Tel: (01273) 296622. Disabled Parking Bays The closest ones to the Royal Pavilion, Visitor Information Centre and main Theatres should you require them are as follows: 5 bays are located on New Road outside Pinnochio’s restaurant and some are also located near the entrance to the Pavilion theatre. 4 bays are located on Church Street by the North Gate entrance to the Royal Pavilion gardens. Bus - Brighton & Hove Buses, Many buses that operate in Brighton & Hove have space for 1 passenger in a wheelchair and easy access for boarding. Tel: (01273) 886200, Fax: (01273) 822073. Email: info@buses.co.uk Real-time information is available on www.buses.co.uk Talking bus stops have also been introduced to the city whereby people using the scheme have a battery operated key fob which alerts them when they are near one of the talking bus stops. For more information on this scheme and where existing units are located please visit www.journeyon.co.uk or please contact the Access Point team on Tel: 01273 295555 Please note: that only wheelchairs and any vehicle with a parking brake on it can travel on the buses, scooters are not permitted. Easylink - Tel: (01273) 677559. Fully accessible door-to-door service that takes passengers to the city centre or to a local superstore. £3.50 return and £2.50 for essential companions. Also organise day trips to other local destinations. Train - Southern Railway's new trains have ramps for wheelchair access, designated accessible spaces in some cars, and an accessible WC, as well as colour schemes and visual & audible announcements that are helpful to people with a sensory disability. Southern Railway also offers advice on the accessibility of stations and help on and off trains - people who require assistance need to book this at least 24 hours in advance. They can also arrange for accessible taxis to be made available at no cost on Southern routes to take passengers with disabilities from and to stations, which are not accessible to, and from stations that are. Call 08451 272920 or text phone 08451 272940. Taxis - Please note to book your taxi in advance. Taxi companies with wheelchair accessible vehicles include: City Cabs, Tel: (01273) 205205. 24hrs notice needed, subject to availability Brighton & Hove Streamline Taxis, Tel: (01273) 747474. Subject to availability Hove Streamline, Tel: (01273) 202020. Subject to availability Brighton & Hove Radio Cabs, Tel: (01273) 204060. 20min needed, subject to availability. For fare information see www.brighton-hove.gov.uk Scooter & Wheelchair Hire Please note: it can be difficult to hire a wheelchair on the weekends, so please reserve as soon as possible. Brighton & Hove Shopmobility, Churchill I Car Park, Level P3, Grenville Street, Brighton BN1 2RF. Tel 01273 323239, www.bhfederation.co.uk Open: Mon - Fri 10am-5pm. Manual and powered wheelchairs and scooters. Annual membership £20, then Free day hires or £5 per day long term hires. Non Members: Donation fee from £5 for day hire, no deposit. £10 per day on long term hires. £5 for all customers who wish to have their scooter delivered/collected outside Churchill Square. Clearwell Mobility Ltd. 61 Boundary Road, Hove. Tel: (01273) 424224. Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm. Manual wheelchairs for hire £5 per day, £20 per week, £100 deposit. Web:www.clearwellmobility.co.uk Delivery available with charge and prior booking. Clearwell Mobility Ltd, 110 Warren Road, Brighton. Tel: (01273) 692244. Manual wheelchairs £100 deposit, £5 per day, £20 per week. Open: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm. Web:www.clearwellmobility.co.uk Delivery available with charge and prior booking. Hearing & Mobility Centre, 187 Church Road, Hove. Tel: (01273) 775123. Manual wheelchairs and scooters for hire. Free demonstration and delivery. Wheelchairs: £30 per daily/weekly hire. Scooters: £40 weekly/daily hire. Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm. Red Cross Equipment Loan, for adults and children. Unit 7, St Joseph’s Business Park, St Joseph’s Close, Hove, BN3 7HG. Tel: (01273) 227814. Manual wheelchairs, selfpropelled wheelchairs, attendant push wheelchairs and commodes. Also hire out crutches and walking sticks amongst other available equipment. Open 11am-3pm Mon-Fri, no lunchtime closure – subject to volunteer being available. Suggested donations depending on type of equipment and length of loan. Please phone to check availability. Delivery available if transport provided. Useful Organisations: Please note that available volunteers run most of these organisations, therefore you may need to leave a message for them to get back to you when they can. Disability Advice Centre, 6 Hove Manor, Hove Street, Hove BN3 2DF. Tel/Text phone: 01273 203016 www.bhfederation.org.uk Information and advice on a range of issues, including aids and equipment, access, health, discrimination, employment, leisure, mobility, and transport. We also specialise in benefits advice and can help with filling in forms (limited service). Open: Mon-Thurs 10am-1pm (drop-in). Adult Social Care Access Point, Bartholomew House, Bartholomew Square, Brighton BN1 1JE. Tel: (01273) 295555, Fax: (01273) 296372. Email: accesspoint@brighton-hove.gov.uk Mincom: (01273) 296388. Web: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/access. Service providing access for social care services for adults. Open: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm. For more information visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk Sussex Deaf Association, Brighton Deaf Centre, Carlton Hill, Brighton, BN2 0GW. Tel/Text phone: (01273) 671899, Fax: (01273) 625283. www.sussexdeaf.co.uk Charitable voluntary organisation providing social and welfare services to deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing people across Sussex. Open: Mon-Fri: 9.30am–5pm (by appointment only) drop-in Thursdays 10am-4pm BODS (Brighton's Official Disabled Supporters), has been set up by disabled fans of the Albion football team, so they can provide match day information and subsidised & adapted transport for both home and away games. They also organise social events. Tel: Tina Shlovogt on (01903) 764973 or Norah Fisher on (01903) 233472. RADAR 12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London, EC1V 8AF. Tel: (020) 7250 3222, Fax: (020) 7250 0212, Text phone: (020) 7250 4119. A National network of disability organisations and disabled people. For more information please visit www.radar.org.uk ESDA Coach Service, have a fully accessible coaches available for hire at any time. Two 32 seat coaches and One 24 seat coach. Contact: Veronika Moore, Action in Rural Sussex, 212 High Street, Lewes BN7 2NH Tel: 01273 407327 e-mail: veronika.moore@ruralsussex.org.uk .This organisation also maintains a directory of community transport operators. Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Please contact Sheila Camilleri, East Sussex chairman for RDA for details of groups in your area. Tel: 01273 846136 or Email: sheilacamilleri@f2s.com Livability, 50 Scrutton Street, London EC2A 4XQ Tel: 020 7452 2000, Fax: 020 7452 2001. www.livability.org.uk Holidays for disabled people within the UK. Toilets City toilets and accessible toilets are marked on our city map which you can obtain from our Visitor Information Centre. Most of Brighton & Hove's accessible public toilets can only be opened with a RADAR key. All of these are now securely locked at night. The key can be used for any of the accessible public toilets in Brighton, Hove or any other town, which is in the same scheme. RADAR keys are available to Brighton & Hove residents who are registered disabled free of charge on completion of a form (a charge is made for replacement keys). Visitors to the city can obtain a key for £6 from City Direct, Bartholomew Square, Brighton or from the Visitor Information Centre, however your registration number, blue badge certificate or a letter from your GP is essential before we can issue a key. Larger shops and our shopping centre have accessible toilets: the more central ones are as follows, please ask at the Visitor Information Centre if you need more details to others: Brighton: Brighton Museum & Art Gallery; The Lanes; King Place; Churchill Square Shopping Centre; Brighton Pier – Grand Junction Road; Pool Valley Coach Station, London Road Car Park (24 hours), Lower prom. East of Brighton Pier; Lower Prom. Opposite West Street; Royal Pavilion Gardens; Upper Rock Gardens (24 hours). Hove: All disabled toilets in Hove have 24 hours access. Hove Museum & Art Gallery; Hove Park; Kings Esplanade at King Alfred Leisure Centre and opp. First Ave; Norton Road; St Ann’s Well Gardens; Western Esplanade at Lagoon and opposite Sackville Gardens. Care has been taken to ensure that the information on this list was correct at the time of going to press. We hope this is of help to you and we look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful city by the sea! Please contact us should you need any further information on accessible accommodation and0 accessible places of interest in the city and if you would like a copy of this information sheet in larger type, Braille or on Audio tape/CD. This list is intended as a guide only and does not imply any recommendation. Any further suggestions will be most welcome. All information is subject to change. Issued with the compliments of the VisitBrighton, Visitor Information Centre, Royal Pavilion Shop, 4-5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton, BN1 1EE, Tel 0300 300 00 88 (All calls made from a landline will be charged at standard rate. Calls from some mobiles may be higher) Text phone: (01273) 292595. Opening times: Daily from10-5pm with extended hours in the summertime. Email: visitor.info@visitbrighton.com Web: www.visitbrighton.com DGEN/ 04/10/ KB