Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Will I be allowed to join the accessible queuing system?

279 replies

InvisibleDisability · 13/09/2022 22:36

I really want to see the lying in state in London as a sign of my respect for her majesty. I’ve been watching all coverage on TV and her dedication and loyalty to us all has been making me frankly emotional. I feel the least I can do to honour her is to brave the crowds and the conditions to see her lying in state.

However… I have (several) invisible disabilities including POTS and ME/CFS. These mean I get tired easily and when I overdo it am prone to collapsing. However, I’m willing to risk it for this last chance to pay my respects. Do you think I would qualify for the accessible queuing system? Would I need to bring “proof” of disability? I’ve got my PIP paperwork if that’s needed?

note: the guidance has just been released on gov website announcing the queuing route and the accessible queuing scheme which is much shorter and will operate on a ticketing basis. By all accounts you turn up at Tate Britain to get a timed ticket (nor guaranteed as depends on numbers I guess) then you go to the palace for the set time?

OP posts:
weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 07:29

There are a small number of wheelchairs to borrow

no one was sure about wheelchair bags but the general view was ok

weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 07:30

Scouts are helping with the queue this morning

there is no queue

weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 07:31

The parking restrictions

Will I be allowed to join the accessible queuing system?
Will I be allowed to join the accessible queuing system?
weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 07:33

the 87 bus is now running again as well and drops off in front

weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 07:39

The usual cab and Charging car were there this morning and then about 7 other cars. There is space for about 30. Other parking is very limited as a lot of residents bays are out of use in the estate due to building work and they are using mixed bays. A mixed bay is one where you can pay in the day and they usually have a 3 or 4 hour limit but I wouldn’t count on getting one as there were non really yesterday other than those next to the Tate . You can also park on single yellow after 6.30 but very few of those spaces

weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 07:45

A coffee van is also set up next to the ticket kiosk

weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 07:54

begoniagal3 · 15/09/2022 06:21

Thank you so much @weddingDecliner . One more question if you don’t mind: I’m 37 weeks pregnant and have got SPD. I’d quite like to pay my respects but not keen on the hours long queue! As I have a temporary disability and no PIP/blue badge/etc, do you reckon they’d allow me in the accessible queue? I’m not far so it’s not a massive journey but not keen on making it if I’ll be turned away. I’d also want to bring my well-behaved, nearly 4 year-old.

I cant see that would be an issue
i was there for 10 mins today and didn’t see any checks but everyone had a visible restriction/ disability and pregnancy is very visible!

they said yesterday that chijdren were fine in addition to any carer (for those that have one)

Ariela · 15/09/2022 08:06

@weddingDecliner you are a star! Thank You, sending your info to friend.

weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 08:09

There is St. John’s ambulance kiosk as well but I think that closed overnight

weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 08:13

There is also a cab drop off just in front
assume that’s means a reasonable chance of getting one on way back

sidewayswalking · 15/09/2022 08:21

BlackeyedSusan · 14/09/2022 20:30

Pip issuch a bastard to apply for that not all will have it.

I hate that PIP is sene as the gateway to accessibility. Lots of people don't/can't get it but still have disabilities. DH had to fight for 3 years for an award after being medically retired from his job. 3 whole years. He wasn't any less disabled during that time, just some decision maker in an office who had never even met him deciding he was able to do things because he did other, not remotely similar things. It's so unfair for many people when proof required is PIP.

weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 08:27

sidewayswalking · 15/09/2022 08:21

I hate that PIP is sene as the gateway to accessibility. Lots of people don't/can't get it but still have disabilities. DH had to fight for 3 years for an award after being medically retired from his job. 3 whole years. He wasn't any less disabled during that time, just some decision maker in an office who had never even met him deciding he was able to do things because he did other, not remotely similar things. It's so unfair for many people when proof required is PIP.

Show quote history

It wasnt
People asked me to ask about blue badge, PIP and DLA which is what I did
Others are saying no proof required.

sidewayswalking · 15/09/2022 08:30

@weddingDecliner

Sorry I was talking generally as someone mentioned how hard PIP is to get. I'm glad common sense has prevailed here but it doesn't change the challenge disabled people face every day. Anyway a bit of a detail, so...

Ginmonkey84 · 15/09/2022 10:35

Thanks for this @weddingDecliner we arrive tomorrow from Northern Ireland so this has been so helpful. I’m pregnant and travelling with my little girl who is ASD so good to know we can avail of this. It wasn’t likely to be an option for us so we had aimed just to visit the palace but now she will be so excited.

HappySonHappyMum · 15/09/2022 13:37

My DH has mobility issues so we headed to the accessibility queue at Tate Britain last night about 10pm, registered and got a wrist band and was given a time slot of between 11-12pm. We did drive there, there's plenty of parking around the Tate and there are also disabled parking spaces as well. There are seats at Tate Britain inside and out, toilets, free tea and coffee. They advise you wait there until 15 minutes before your slot. You then wander along in your own time and join the accessibility queue. You follow a different path and go through different security to get in.

If anyones watched the feed you can see people entering from the bottom right - that's where the step free access is and you then walk up to the steps at the top right and then join the queue with everyone else and walk back down. There is nowhere to sit apart from a few bus stops on the walk from Tate Britain although there are a few places to lean so it is still 'hard work' if you have mobility issues.

I hope this helps, you are allowed a carer, they didn't ask for any 'proof' paperwork - it's all done on trust. You could take sticks and small bags through fine.

Readerofwords · 15/09/2022 13:40

Yes, thank you @weddingDecliner. Your actual "on the ground" experience is immensely helpful to my mum who had assumed that even the accessible access would be a nonstarter with her mobility issues. Plus the fact that there are parking options in the evening, so my dad could drive them both quite easily. Really appreciate you taking the time! Flowers

Readerofwords · 15/09/2022 13:41

X-posted with you @HappySonHappyMum That's a great update too, thanks!

54isanopendoor · 15/09/2022 13:49

I viewed the coffin in Edinburgh on Monday.
No proof was asked for in the queue for disabled people.
We were taxied up to the security tent then just had a short bit to get to St Giles.
(person front of me got stuck in her wheelchair on the cobbles though)
earlier in the day the same people had been sent all around the city for the queue so it does depend on who you ask when you get there it seems.
we had water & food removed from us but our bags were not checked.
I spent the whole next day in bed recovering but I'm glad I went.

Weathergirl1 · 15/09/2022 14:05

@begoniagal3 I'm two weeks behind you and also no way I could queue for hours in the main queue (gutted as if not pregnant I'd be over there like a shot). When are you going? Could you update? We're thinking of early on Saturday but wasn't holding out much hope until I saw this thread.

DysonSphere · 15/09/2022 14:40

weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 07:45

A coffee van is also set up next to the ticket kiosk

Thank god, as I'm thinking of going either tonight or tomorrow late afternoon. I'll bloody need all the coffee I can get to not turn into a zombie in hall. This is really pertinent information for those of us with fatigue conditions.

I nominate you for Mumsnetter of the year @weddingDecliner

Lydiararegenetics · 15/09/2022 15:55

Found this information very helpful so thanks very much. Just so happens that I will be in hammersmith London from Essex on Saturday morning for a music event helping dad with his music equipment which should finish between 5-6 and then we were planning to go to green park and other landmarks like the mall and possibly depending on timing the accessible queue. My dad will drive our personal van to Hammersmith on Saturday morning and a parking space is reserved at the venue. I know all the advice at the moment is probably don't drive to London use public transport but the music equipment includes an amplifier so there's no chance of lugging that on the tube unless we got hold of a camping trolley and cover with tarpaulin but obviously wouldn't be able to take it into the lying in state so having the van might be beneficial after all, where we could cover the equipment with a blanket for hopefully only an hour or so while waiting in the queue. Only other thing I can think of is my mum and sister who are busy during the day could meet up with me and my dad and brother if he comes say at 7 or something and we could get dinner and then take turns in green park and the accessible queue so someone is in the van or watching the trolley at all times. Yes it could mean I go through twice which might seem selfish but it would be such a shame for my mum and sister if we were in a position to join the accessible queue and they weren't there to witness a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's a interesting dilemma right? If it's not possible to get to the accessible queue I think green park is probably the next best thing to see the flower tributes and take some ourselves.

LIZS · 15/09/2022 16:36

They are taking names for the accessible queue but not sure of cross-referencing those who may come multiple times. Green Park was heaving yesterday and access points are very narrow and with security.

weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 16:57

I would say there is parking after 6.30pm but very limited parking in the day as I said a lot of residents parking is suspended and so they are also using the relatively low number of mixed bays. The majority of spaces are resident only and typically pretty full at the moment .

you need to check but you can’t use a blue badge in a residents bay within controlled hours. Also the time is limited in a mixed bay during the controlled hours

kathmacc · 15/09/2022 16:58

I took my disabled son this morning. Left home in North London at 5.40am. Arrived at Tate Britain 6.45am. No queue at disability access point. Immediately given wristbands and walked down to Westminster- lots of stewards, etc. on route. Fast tracked through security- home by 9am - it was a lovely experience for us both- he does love a good church!

weddingDecliner · 15/09/2022 17:09

The 88 is back on diversion
a different diversion to Tuesday
it is not going down John I slip street but stops at end of Vauxhall bridge which is a short walk

Swipe left for the next trending thread