Information for those passengers with limited mobility, a disability or confined to a wheelchair

INTRODUCTION

We hope that the information below will be of help to those travelling with us who have limited mobility or a disability.
If you have a disability, you may travel at half the adult or child fare. Your carer may also travel at half fare. For more information on fares please see our fares pages
The railway has ten stations along its route; nine of these are accessible to passengers in wheelchairs or whose mobility is impaired. The one station without easy access is Doniford Halt which has a small uneven gravel path leading down from a road embankment with gated entrance.
Whilst at Stogumber the gardens, picnic areas and refreshment room are easily accessible and allow good views of passing trains, the platform is too narrow for wheelchair access on to the train.

MENU

Downloads

• The Access Statement
• The Short Travel Guide

The Stations

• Minehead
• Dunster
• Blue Anchor
• Washford
• Watchet
• Doniford Halt
• Williton
• Stogumber
• Crowcombe Heathfield
• Bishops Lydeard

The Trains

• General train information
• Safety related size Restrictions
• Boarding the Train
• Safe Speed on platforms

Other Information

• Access to engineering departments

Contact Us

If you have any queries please phone 01643 704996 or email us by Clicking here

For more information on our stations please see our Access Statement

THE TRAINS

Most of our trains are accessible to disabled persons including those who are partially sighted, visitors with limited mobility and manual or powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters, except those over the maximum size and/or weight.
If you are able to climb on-board, some carriages have space at the end where you may store a folded wheelchair.
Otherwise, most trains have a ramp which can be used to load wheelchairs on to the train; it may also be used by those finding it difficult stepping up into the carriage (during galas and special events one or two trains have no ramp access).
Passengers travelling in their wheelchair will normally travel in the guard’s van (or specially adapted carriage Lorna Doone).Whilst this is corridor-connected with the rest of the train including the buffet, the corridor connection is too narrow for wheelchairs to use.

Size Restrictions

Most WSR services can carry manual or powered wheelchairs (mobility scooters), folded if necessary, up to the following limitations for safety reasons:

Width: 700 millimetres (27 inches)
Length (including footplates): 1200 millimetres (47 inches)
Weight including passenger: 230kg (36 stone), the safe limit of our ramps.

However if the wheelchair is bespoke and adapted for an individuals special needs please contact the Railway in Advance of Travel and we will review on an individual basis

Boarding the Train

It is the passenger’s responsibility to load the wheelchair or scooter on and off the train and we ask the disabled passenger or their travelling companion to ensure that the scooter is folded ready for boarding prior to the train's arrival. If you wish help, please do not hestitate to ask.
Where necessary, passengers may use one of the small number of ordinary standard size wheelchairs when on the railway (only available on loan at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead). The folded scooter (see size restriction) can be stored in the luggage compartments.

Powered Wheelchair Speeds on Platforms

For reasons of safety wheelchairs and scooters MUST NOT exceed 2 mph on station platforms NOR go near the platform edge unless boarding a train.

OTHER INFORMATION

The Railway’s engineering departments  are not usually open to the public, but on special events may be open for a small fee. These are not accessible to disabled persons for safety reasons.