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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:
CBlue22 · 16/09/2022 08:44

DysonSphere · 16/09/2022 08:43

I would just turn up with some sort of proof - hospital letter or something and go to the DQ and ask. I reckon you'd get in. Gallbladder removal is quite serious.

Thank you, we live a few hours away so it would be a commitment to go!

toomuchicecream · 16/09/2022 08:48

I was all set to go up this evening - had hired a wheelchair specially, but seeing the messages about how high the demand is now, I'm not coming. If at midnight they were handing out time slots for 3-4pm, imagine what it will be like by this evening...

DysonSphere · 16/09/2022 08:56

But ((unless you live far away)) feasibly you could go home and come back?

nachoavocado · 16/09/2022 08:57

toomuchicecream · 16/09/2022 08:48

I was all set to go up this evening - had hired a wheelchair specially, but seeing the messages about how high the demand is now, I'm not coming. If at midnight they were handing out time slots for 3-4pm, imagine what it will be like by this evening...

I think that's it. Even the accessible queue is going to be too much for a lot of people. The live stream on TV is quite moving.

toomuchicecream · 16/09/2022 09:03

I'm not too far outside London so could go home and come back (although the journey from Paddington to the Tate isn't going to be fun so I'm not excited about doing it twice), but I've got things on tomorrow I can't cancel.

BlooberryBiskits · 16/09/2022 09:04

DysonSphere · 16/09/2022 08:56

But ((unless you live far away)) feasibly you could go home and come back?

^ this. Given it’s timed slots, it’s the interval from turning up until the slot that has increased not the actual time once there I think?

It would be v sad if this route is now being abused by those who don’t really need this facility

givemebooks · 16/09/2022 09:16

Actually quite worried now myself, son, MIL and FIL are traveling down from Yorkshire by train tonight we arrive around 6pm we are heading straight to the accessable queue for times but worry they will be out of them for when we need as our train back is Saturday at 4pm :( not sure if to just the head to the main queue and go through the night? But I honestly don't think my MIL could make it, so worried this will all be a waste now can I queue alone or with my son and MIL and FIL join us when we have less time to go?

Do you think if I explained to the accessible queue they might give us a time on Saturday before we have to head back for the train? If we explain how for we have travelled?

Everything train and hotel are non refundable now :(

givemebooks · 16/09/2022 09:20

Just to add MIL and major mobility issue has pip as does my son for ASD so we meet the 1 person 1 carer needs for the 4 of us

We booked this trip actually to visit Buckingham palace for MIL 70th birthday and then all this happened now it's so important to MIL to pay her respects

PatienceHeatherstone · 16/09/2022 09:31

Thanks @BlooberryBiskits and everyone else for your kind help

DysonSphere · 16/09/2022 09:33

toomuchicecream · 16/09/2022 09:03

I'm not too far outside London so could go home and come back (although the journey from Paddington to the Tate isn't going to be fun so I'm not excited about doing it twice), but I've got things on tomorrow I can't cancel.

Oh bummer🙁

DysonSphere · 16/09/2022 09:35

givemebooks · 16/09/2022 09:20

Just to add MIL and major mobility issue has pip as does my son for ASD so we meet the 1 person 1 carer needs for the 4 of us

We booked this trip actually to visit Buckingham palace for MIL 70th birthday and then all this happened now it's so important to MIL to pay her respects

If you could get your Mil to email her proof and then go down there as soon as possible I wonder if you reserve your time spot. I would also bring proof of train ticket purchase.

Might work.

DysonSphere · 16/09/2022 09:36

*if you could reserve a time spot

toomuchicecream · 16/09/2022 09:38

Yes - thank you to everyone on this thread who's posted updates - incredibly useful.

BlooberryBiskits · 16/09/2022 09:43

givemebooks · 16/09/2022 09:20

Just to add MIL and major mobility issue has pip as does my son for ASD so we meet the 1 person 1 carer needs for the 4 of us

We booked this trip actually to visit Buckingham palace for MIL 70th birthday and then all this happened now it's so important to MIL to pay her respects

@givemebooks : I definitely think you should go to the accessible queue start point, explain & see what they suggest

Someone earlier/another thread mentioned that their elderly FIL was approached by the volunteers at the start of the Victoria Gardens zig zag and offered to move from the regular queue to the accessible one there so clearly there is some level of flexibility. I think your needs are so clear cut that they will try to help you

zen1 · 16/09/2022 09:56

If anyone joins the accessibility queue today, would you mind posting the time slots you have been allocated? It would be really helpful with planning whether / when to go. Thanks

GirlMum190901 · 16/09/2022 10:09

I’ve found this thread incredibly helpful so I happy to do what I can to help others. I’m currently en route to join the accessibility queue.

If you have any questions you’d like me to ask whilst I’m there, please post them here. x

Alex2022a · 16/09/2022 10:16

Thank you! Please can you post what time slot you get? Also, please could you ask them if bringing a child to the accessibility queue with a disability if a young sibling of that child can be brought in too, as I have two daughters, one disabled and one not, but can’t leave the 7 year old in London by herself whilst I take my eldest in and they can’t go in together as also minors and the 7 year old can’t provide the 10 year olds care! It’s a couple of hours for us to get in and I don’t want to end up turned away with disappointed children.

poppymad · 16/09/2022 10:21

GirlMum190901 · 16/09/2022 10:09

I’ve found this thread incredibly helpful so I happy to do what I can to help others. I’m currently en route to join the accessibility queue.

If you have any questions you’d like me to ask whilst I’m there, please post them here. x

Just left Broadstairs, Kent so eager to know which time slots are being given out to those arriving . X

Adultchildofelderlyparents · 16/09/2022 10:23

Parents went this morning, joined the queue at 7.30am, queued for an hour and got a time slot for 6pm this evening.
It's two people allowed - the person who needs the accessibility plus one companion.
No proof of accessibility needed.

DysonSphere · 16/09/2022 10:45

They've announced a suspension on joining the queue. Not sure how that affects disability queue.

stripymum · 16/09/2022 10:56

I joined the queue at 6:30 this morning queued for 35 minutes and got a time slot of 1 to 2 today.

LIZS · 16/09/2022 11:18

Relatives arrived 7:15 have a 4-5pm slot. So they either had an influx between 6:30 and then or are limiting numbers allocated for each period more.

bizzey · 16/09/2022 11:22

This thread is so helpful thank you.

I have a question about the timings as well.

I am in London ,so getting a wristband slot and coming back the next day is not a problem and in fact would be better for DS.

We could go this afternoon/evening
and then go back tomorrow for the visit.

Do you think the timings match this at the moment?
Thanks.

GirlMum190901 · 16/09/2022 11:47

So.. the accessibility queue is very very long! I would guess there is over 1000 people in the queue and would take minimum 3-4 hours to get the front. People who have just left the queue have time slots for midnight-1am so again my guess would be my time slot could be 3am-4am.

I’ve considered my circumstances (I have a 3 month baby and a 6 year old in school) and decided that it’s not worth the wait and I’ve turned back. Will visit the parks on Sunday instead.

Wishing everyone lots of luck x

poppymad · 16/09/2022 11:52

GirlMum190901 · 16/09/2022 11:47

So.. the accessibility queue is very very long! I would guess there is over 1000 people in the queue and would take minimum 3-4 hours to get the front. People who have just left the queue have time slots for midnight-1am so again my guess would be my time slot could be 3am-4am.

I’ve considered my circumstances (I have a 3 month baby and a 6 year old in school) and decided that it’s not worth the wait and I’ve turned back. Will visit the parks on Sunday instead.

Wishing everyone lots of luck x

Thanks for the update, I expect lots more people are joining because the other queue is suspended. Such a shame. Safe journey home. X

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