Access Arrangements for the Pride Parade and Main Park Event: August 7th 2010
If you want information about venues in Brighton please check out the Brighton and Hove Federation of Disabled People's Accessible City Guide;
Pride and the Federation of Disabled People are working together again this year to enable those who want to celebrate LGBT lives and have access needs, to enjoy the park and the parade. This includes improving access to Preston Park, watching the Pride in Brighton & Hove Parade and other Pride events.
Our thanks go to the NHS Brighton & Hove for providing their car park for the day.
Last year, we made improvements for those with access needs, including:
- Park and Ride close to the park
- An area reserved for those with mobility issues on the parade route
- A shuttle service to the parade area/access tent from the car park, running throughout the day.
- The very important access tent operated by Spectrum
- Our fantastice signers
- Accessible toilets
All of these facilities will operate via a booking system to ensure that we can give people access to the events in a way that makes the day enjoyable and safe for all. Bookings are not available yet, keep checking back for details as soon as they are ready.
Please note that the Federation of Disabled People and Pride in Brighton & Hove cannot offer to support individuals on the day.
We ask that people respect the accessible areas and only book them if they need to use facilities provided.
Parking
To the viewing area/park: this year Pride and the Federation of Disabled People are offering a park and ride system for up to 50 cars, to enable people with access needs to attend the parade. The park and ride must be booked in advance.
Those who use the car park can get a shuttle to get to the viewing area (on London Road) or the park (the shuttle will drop off at the Access Tent to the north of the park). This area has concrete pathways to the rest of the park.
Please note that motorised scooters cannot be taken on the shuttle bus, but there will be failities to charge scooters at the Access Tent.
Getting back to your car: your car will be located close to the park and you will be able to use a shuttle bus to return to you car at any time.
Details of the car park location will be sent with confirmation packs.
Shuttles to and from the car park will run every 15-30 minutes depending on traffic.
Parade
Viewing area for the parade: there will be a viewing area on London Road (approximately 0.4 miles from Preston Park). This area will be for persons with mobility issues, they can bring one person with them into the viewing area. Chairs will be available and the area will be staffed by security to ensure that only those who have booked can use the area.
Shuttle to viewing area and to the park from the viewing area: due to traffic restrictions the last shuttle will drop off at the viewing area approximately 1 hour before the parade will pass. After the parade a shuttle will pick up from the viewing area, once traffic allows. Please note it may take up to 45 minutes for the shuttle to pick up after the parade.
On the park
Access Tent: there will be a private area for those who need it in the Access Tent.
Accessible Toilets: accessible toilets will be located in the 'pound a pee' areas. These are staffed throughout the day. Access to the accessible toilets without paying can be obtained by applying in advance using the booking form, which will be available soon.
Signers: as with previous years signers will be on all stages.
Wheelchair area in the Cabaret tent: at the front of the cabaret tent there is a viewing area for wheelchair users and one personal assistant. Access to this area is at the left of the tent as you face it from the park. Spaces are limited and will operate on a first come, first served basis.
Accessibility throughout the park: most of the park is accessible for wheelchairs using the concrete paths. However, there are areas of uneven ground particulalry in the grassy areas. People will sit on the grass throughout the park and space can be limited. Most will respond to friendly requests to move. If you are having problerms on the day, please come to the information point (marked on the map) and ask to speak to Kath Browne or another Pride Trustee.
After the Park
Check out the Accessible City Guide for post-park venues and the Pride website for after-events and parties.
Feedback
This is the second year that Pride and the Federation for Disabled People have teamed up to improve access to the park and the parade for the Pride celebrations. We are hoping to continue to develop initiatives that work and are needed. Please come to a feedback event we will be arranging in October and tell us what you think.
