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Crossing the channel.


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Since the demise of Speedferries I have been researching alternative car ferry routes across the channel for me as a wheelchair user.

My son recently came over on the Norman Voyager, and told me that it was not wheelchair friendly which surprised me on a new ferry.  He said that the passenger lift from the open air car deck arrived at a landing half way between decks, with flights of stairs to go either up or down, so LD Lines are out.  He also told me that there was no full wheelchair access once on the passenger deck.

I am now looking at the Calais/Dover route.  I do not like the tunnel as I cannot get the car door open far enough to get out of the car once parked on the train, and toilet access on the train is difficult.

Does anyone have experience of using a wheelchair on either P&O or SeaFrance?  Are there any pitfalls in the booking process, is there anything particular to request, and are there problems on the vessels?

Thanks in advance,

David

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[quote user="David"]

  I do not like the tunnel as I cannot get the car door open far enough to get out of the car once parked on the train, and toilet access on the train is difficult.

 

[/quote]

 

The Tunnel is amazing, isn't it? They put all the disabled people in the front section where there's no toilet. You couldn't make it up!

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Agreed Dick, but in a special section for handicapped or disabled people, on a modern train, perhaps a special toilet could be provided?  In any event, many wheelchair people could manage if they could get the wheelchair next to the toilet door?  I use crutches for such eventualities.  On the tunel trains I understand that that is not presently possible for disabled users.  I could not use the toilet the last time I used the tunnel, but fully able bodied people did have access to toilets.  Surely if the operators consider it necessary to provide toilets for fit people, then they should do so for disabled people?  Or do they expect disabled people to use plastic bottles or bags?  Or are disabled people considered to be merely nuisances who have to be evacuated quickly?

Regarding only modern trains having disabled toilets, I do not think that is quite correct.  Many years ago, I am not sure how many but during the late 80's or early 90's, my commuter trains from Cambridge to Liverpool Street were fitted with disabled toilets, and the Stansted Express always had disabled toilets.  That was when the trains were operated by WAGN though, and I am not sure if they are still in service.

However, I am not arguing about the tunnel trains, or their legal obligations, it is up to them what services they wish to provide.  I merely say that I prefer not to use them, because of what I consider to be poor facilities, and I want to find out about the cross channel ferries.

Thank you for your interest though, you have raised a good point about disabled facilities on the tunnel trains.

David

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Late 80s is modern by the standards of some rolling stock still trudging the system in the UK. The stock you speak of is pretty recent.  I can't speak for France. 

My o/h was involved in the provision of disabled facilites on Silverlink stations, back in the day.  I'll find out what he know on this subject.  In the late 90s there was a whole initiative to make trains and stations in Britain available for the disabled, including making all new rolling stock directly accessible (the correct height) for wheelchairs.  The loo thing I'm not so sure about as much short distance stock traditionally didn't have them for anybody.

Not that this helps with your query, David.

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The Norman Voyager was designed as a freight ferry, so it is probably not surprising that wheelchair access might not be included. As far as French trains are concerned, those on our line have wheelchair accesible WCs, but they are in the entrance vestibule - there are steps up on either side to the seats, so I suppose if you stay by the doors in your chair you are OK.

Returning to ferries, the only operator I have used when acompanied by somebody with restricted mobility is Brittany Ferries, which in my experience does a brilliant job at looking after you. I do think others have found differently though. 

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Thanks for that Will,

I am afraid that Britanny Ferries are not too good for us as we go to East London, therefore Calais/Dover would be a good substitute for SpeedFerries which were great for wheelchairs.

From your extensive maritime knowledge, rather than personal experience, do you have words of advice about P&O or SeaFrance for wheelchair users?  Also I wonder if Ferryguru might have some hints or tips?

Thanks,

David

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As far as I am aware both P&O and Sea France can accommodate wheelchair passengers, you will need to make this clear when booking and turn up at least 60 minutes before departure for Dover Port's mobility bus which is used to take disabled passemgers to their ferries. Not sure what happens with disabled drivers, but presumably these can be accommodated too. Sea France's ships should be new enough to have full access.
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LD Lines

Yes the Norman Voyager was designed as a freight vessel rather than a full passenger vessel so yes I would avoid.  LD Lines operate the Norman Spirit which is an old Dover to Calais vessel so that should be a problem for you.  Foot Passenger wise they would bus you onto the car deck and then you can take a lift to each deck.  Car wise, the same.  The Norman Spirit operates the overnight sailing from Portsmouth each day and the afternoon sailing from Le Havre.

Transmanche Ferries

I have not really taken much notice on these ships, they do have passenger lifts from the car deck to the two passenger decks.  Foot passenger access is not good but car passengers should be ok.  Rumour has it that one of these ships will be opening the Dover to Boulogne route potentially as early as February.  There has been no full confirmation as to which ship will operate the route full time.

Seafrance / P&O / Norfolkline

These are pretty much ok for disabled.  Sometimes the lifts on the older ships come up in crew areas from the Car Deck but as you are escorted by a crew member you are fine.  Foot passenger wise you are best off with P&O as they have the more modern berths and therefore foot passenger gangways with lifts.

Things you pretty much must do:

  • Let the company know you are disabled and required special assistance.  You will be parked in a seperate lane on the quayside (normally with your hazards on) and then loaded first onto the ship thus allowing you the room to park near lifts and get out of the vehicle.  Added to this is the crew will also be on hand to help you.
  • Turn up in plenty of time for your sailing.

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[quote user="Dick Smith"]I imagine that their argument would be that with such a short crossing it is less of a problem. But it is only on the most modern trains of any type that there are wheelchair-access toilets, surely?
[/quote]

 

I'm not talking about wheelchair access toilets, just ANY toilets. My husband's not in a wheelchair, but he couldn't walk the length of a carriage. It just seems mad to me to put together a train in this way; alternate carriages for loos is fair enough but why put a carriage without at the front where you put the disabled passengers?

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