This access statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs, but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our guests/visitors.
Access Statement for East Anglian Railway Museum
Introduction
The East Anglian Railway Museum (EARM) offers a view
of railway history, based around a country station and goods yard about 7.5
miles west of Colchester. You can find us using the Sat Nav postcode of CO6
2DS.
We aim to show the development of railways in the East of England featuring
many original buildings in an appropriate setting, including the attraction of
a working railway (Abellio Greater Anglia) running through the site.
EARM is a member of the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) for
which this Access Statement is prepared (April 2016).
We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone 01206 242524 or email information@earm.co.uk.
Pre-Arrival
Travel to the museum is ideally done using motor vehicles - while there is public transport available ramped access from Platform 1 is provided, those travelling by bus will have to walk 1/4 of a mile up the hill along the line without a footpath
Those with these mobility difficulties will find it difficult to access both areas of the museum. While both the museum station buildings and visitor reception is accessible from the train; a footbridge with 46 steps is a physical restriction to the major part of the museum. As there is no practical adaptation that can overcome this split site issue, we propose that people with a mobility disability do so using motor vehicles.
- Light "travelling type" wheelchairs with small leading wheels are unsuitable for rough surfaces found in the station yard. Those with larger diameter wheels will ride over rough ground much better.
Car Parking and Arrival
Free car parking is available opposite the Visitor Reception Centre (VRC) on the front field, which has some all-weather parking places on grass filled grid panels.
Visitors with mobility difficulties should park in the designated disabled parking bay on the approach road, before proceeding to our main museum yard.
Main Entrance, Reception and Ticketing Area
Entry to the visitor reception centre (VRC) is on the level through with two wooden double doors that open outwards. At our VRC you can pay for admission, visit the shop use toilets.
Here you can be told of, or receive a photocopy, of the transport directions to our main location in the museum yard off Spring Gardens Lane.
Within the museum yard are four designated parking places for persons with mobility difficulty.
Attraction (displays, exhibits, rides etc.)
Many exhibits are of traditional railway carriages - all of which have some degree of challenge for easy accessibility, so some exhibits and locations cannot be adapted to easy use due to the historic nature
Having noted some caution - we have disability compliant ramps, doors and aim to assist our visitors if a need is communicated. New facilities will include adaptation to meet the needs of disabled visitors.
There are outside displays of rolling stock, which are accessed by traditional narrow railway coach doors, typically a 50cm rise and a 60cm gap on both entry and exit.
Public Toilets
Disabled person toilets are located at four locations around the museum - these are available on the ground floor of the VRC - alongside the Restoration Shed, and for 2020 newly provided facilities next to the Cafe Platform 2. On event days these facilities are also available in Thompson Centre all of which are on the ground floor. Limited facility toilets also exist in the Heritage Centre and for members in the Mess Room areas.
Disabled toilets are all of a similar design - they have a WC and alongside at least 50 cm available for a wheelchair. An assistance call button operated by a red cord is available, hand basin taps are operated by pushbutton. Lighting is fluorescent and the floor surfacing is by quarry tiles.
Baby change facilities are also available in the VRC, Restoration Shed and Platform 2 toilets.
Catering
Platform 2 is the location of the museum's café - it can only be reached easily by disabled people using a vehicle to the Disabled Persons car parking bays in the yard. Cyclists can leave their bikes at the station bike racks, or chained to a fence on Platform 1.
There is a step of about 28 cm and a sliding door to a counter position. Food and drink orders can be made at the counter and be delivered to your seating area.
Inside accommodation is within a railway carriage 64 seats stationary on Platform 2 alongside the branch line.
Outside seating is available on the platform, but this area has no weather protection, here two picnic benches are surrounded by light aluminium club type chairs that can be moved easily
Shop(s)
The principle shop is within the VRC, on large event days a second “Thomas shop” will open near the Disabled persons parking bays, accessed by a small step. Both outlets have counters of about one metre high and have enough room for wheelchair access.
Grounds and Gardens
Movement on foot or using mobility aids is on a mixture on surfaces. These include, flat concreted platforms, around the yard on a hard packed base (which may include sunken railway lines) topped with small stone chippings.
There are also hard surfaced roadways and a grass field for events. As the museum and operates trains only during the daytime, there is no overall elimination other than within buildings. A Goods Shed is available for event hire, when in use at night a floodlight illuminates enough to enable safe passage in the immediate vicinity.
Seating is provided at number of locations both benches and picnic tables. A Heritage Centre offers indoor accommodation.
Additional Information
Visitors may borrow a single wheelchair, standard size with small rubber wheels which is available for casual visitor loan. This is normally left in the Heritage Centre Staff toilets near the General Manager’s office in the Heritage Centre. If in need - you can ask one of the museum volunteers so they may be able to fetch the wheelchair for you.
Contact Information East Anglian Railway Museum Chappel Station Colchester CO6 2DS 01206 242524
Website:www.earm.co.uk
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Hours Of Operation:10.00 until dusk
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Local Accessible Taxi:
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| Colne Valley 01787 222238
Halstead 01787 476666
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| Updated PA 01 05 2020 |
