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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:
zen1 · 16/09/2022 12:10

Thank you GirlMum190901. I would imagine 3-4 hrs makes the accessibility queue inaccessible for many people with disabilities. DS certainly couldn’t stand for that long.

Badgirlriri · 16/09/2022 12:27

PatienceHeatherstone · 15/09/2022 22:16

Hi all, thank you for this helpful thread. My DC are autistic, they generally know what 'church' is and like the routine of it - and so 'behave' fairly reasonably. But I'm curious how it would be taken if they did speak loudly, point, generally fail to act in line with expectations for NT children. I'm wondering if any of you who have already been to pay your respects have any thoughts about this? I don't want us as a family to cause offence by appearing rude.

So do they actually want to go or is it you who wants to go and is using your autistic DC to get in quicker?

poppymad · 16/09/2022 12:30

I've just arrived at the accessible queue, we, ve directed to an extension of the queue that will be for tickets for tomorrow. Will keep you updated

bizzey · 16/09/2022 12:32

Thank you @poppymad .

NotAnotherUserNumber · 16/09/2022 12:42

zen1 · 16/09/2022 12:10

Thank you GirlMum190901. I would imagine 3-4 hrs makes the accessibility queue inaccessible for many people with disabilities. DS certainly couldn’t stand for that long.

It makes it totally inaccessible for many! I was planning to go tonight but I probably won’t be able to now.

I think it is a shame that they aren’t asking for proof for the accessible queue. Or maybe they should have had 2 levels of accessibility, one for people who didn’t have proof or have milder needs and one for people who have serious illness or disability (eg. high level PIP) and won’t now find the accessible queue to be accessible.

@poppymad please do update with the timings and details of the different parts of the process. Thank you.

Thethingswedoforlove · 16/09/2022 12:50

@poppymad thebwebsite says they have suspended the accessibility queue. Is that not the case?

poppymad · 16/09/2022 12:58

Its not suspended, there's just a big gap now been put in place between slots for today and those for tomorrow. Wait time 4 hours to kiosk. X

zen1 · 16/09/2022 13:05

I think it is a shame that they aren’t asking for proof for the accessible queue. Or maybe they should have had 2 levels of accessibility, one for people who didn’t have proof or have milder needs and one for people who have serious illness or disability (eg. high level PIP) and won’t now find the accessible queue to be accessible.

I’m inclined to agree @NotAnotherUserNumber . Even a basic level of proof (proof of an illness, letter from a physio etc) would be better than none. It seems an extraordinary coincidence that the accessible queue suddenly had a huge influx at around the time the main queue was suspended.

Lydiararegenetics · 16/09/2022 13:36

They've just put on Instagram-entry for the accessible queue is at capacity and they aren't letting anyone else get wristbands. So seems like they've paused the accessible queue too for the time being. As per my previous message about being in Hammersmith for an event tomorrow depending on traffic we'll be passing through the centre maybe between 10-11 so if me and my dad have time (we don't have to be in hammersmith until 12pm to set up but obviously with potentially how busy roads/queue might be to ask questions I think it would be wise leaving Essex earlier even if it only takes an hour or 90 minutes)I would still like to check to see what the capacity is like because it may have calmed down by tonight and into tomorrow morning and it doesn't matter if there are no queue slots until 7/8pm anyway because the event may not finish until 5/6pm and we may find somewhere to park for a bit and maybe get dinner and also wait for rush hour to calm a bit too.

Will I be allowed to join the accessible queuing system?
DysonSphere · 16/09/2022 13:45

I am in the queue. I have been told to go home as they are not giving any tickets for any days. Scandalous, asmany people have come here as the main queue is closed.

DysonSphere · 16/09/2022 13:48

There's a family who have come from Edinburgh and are being told no tickets will be issued. People here in wheel chairs, people who travelled many miles.

They are saying come back tomorrow at 12pm

poppymad · 16/09/2022 14:09

Everyone in the second queue has been told to disperse from the area and go home . Kiosk will open midday tomorrow. Nobody queuing today in the second queue will get priority for tomorrow. There's alot of tears. X

Lydiararegenetics · 16/09/2022 14:13

Just caught bbc news at 2 and Ben brown has just said the main queue has reopened but the wait is 14 hours but the live tracker says still suspended. They could do with live cameras like on motorways so people can check as they are travelling.

aModernClassic · 16/09/2022 14:27

poppymad · 16/09/2022 14:09

Everyone in the second queue has been told to disperse from the area and go home . Kiosk will open midday tomorrow. Nobody queuing today in the second queue will get priority for tomorrow. There's alot of tears. X

That's really sad. Unfortunately it seems like people have been taking the mick.
They should have asked for some proof or had a two tier system in place. Such a shame.

bizzey · 16/09/2022 14:36

Wow !!

Thank you everyone for the update's.

I won't head off this evening after all .

poppymad · 16/09/2022 14:43

aModernClassic · 16/09/2022 14:27

That's really sad. Unfortunately it seems like people have been taking the mick.
They should have asked for some proof or had a two tier system in place. Such a shame.

Show quote history

That is definitely the problem x

Lydiararegenetics · 16/09/2022 14:53

If it's not too far for you you could still go to green park. I personally think that would be the next best thing. I think I have resigned myself to that when I've finished the event in Hammersmith tomorrow to find a supermarket and buy some flowers. It would have been nice to see the coffin especially for my dad who will be 90 if charles dies the same age as the queen but he has seen her at a distance in 2014 when he was invited to a service at Chelmsford cathedral that her and prince Philip were attending. The queen is my dad's boss being a church of England vicar. But oh well can't help it. Last minute planning of something like this never quite goes to plan. I understand it's ancient and ceremony but you would think for the modern world they should be some more advanced planning like having her in state for a week at least maybe. Not knocking any volunteers because they are doing an amazing job in what must be extremely exhaustive and challenging work. So sad for the people who were so close. I'll get my chances one day as I'm only 23.

givemebooks · 16/09/2022 15:01

We are on the train down now and absolutely devastated, even queuing at midday tomorrow would be too late for us to queue and be back at the train for 4pm especially if the tickets are going to be for Sunday

No idea what to do now

Cathouse67 · 16/09/2022 15:07

Myself and my hubby were planning on driving down from Leeds at around 3am tonight. The plan was - finish work today, get some sleep and leave Leeds at 2 - 3am. Hoping to arrive 6 - 7am.
I was hoping to join the accessible queue as I have heart failure (already had one heart attack, needed to be resuscitated and still have pain from fractured ribs etc) and also painful arthritis in my knee, which prevents me from being on my feet for a long time (waiting for an op.). My feet and ankles will also swell which is painful. BUT, I don't look like I have issues - I work full time from home and don't receive any benefits.
So we're hoping to join the accessible queue.
Thank you for posting the updates, really appreciated!
I'd be really grateful if people could post the timings on here so that we can make a decision this evening about whether or not to travel. If we don't leave the house by the early hours of tomorrow then there will be no point after that.

Lydiararegenetics · 16/09/2022 15:13

givemebooks no need to have a wasted journey. you could check into your hotel tonight as normal and then go to green park, either tonight or tomorrow morning, as I said in my previous comment it's probably the next best thing and that's what I have resigned myself to when I'm in London myself tomorrow. If you have a ticket that allows you to travel throughout London zones 1-6, or if you don't you could just buy a single to green park, or one of the other stations nearby as green park might be heaving, from where you are coming in from.

Cathouse67 · 16/09/2022 15:21

I'm even wondering if we'd be better travelling down on Sunday night to be in London for the funeral? We might not get to see much but at least we'd hear it! Just looking at a hotel for Sunday night now

DysonSphere · 16/09/2022 15:23

There's a lady here from leeds crying her eyes out. She's come all the way from leeds😟

givemebooks · 16/09/2022 15:31

Lydiararegenetics · 16/09/2022 15:13

givemebooks no need to have a wasted journey. you could check into your hotel tonight as normal and then go to green park, either tonight or tomorrow morning, as I said in my previous comment it's probably the next best thing and that's what I have resigned myself to when I'm in London myself tomorrow. If you have a ticket that allows you to travel throughout London zones 1-6, or if you don't you could just buy a single to green park, or one of the other stations nearby as green park might be heaving, from where you are coming in from.

Thank you yes we have decided to go to green park and lay flowers also anyone know timings for when the grandchildren/children will do the next vigil? Think of waiting round the area to see them, might even for 2 seconds make MIL feel better

nachoavocado · 16/09/2022 15:32

I guess it could be that lots of people used the main queue but then it just got so long they needed the accessible queue? I'm trying to think the best of people here.

WildfellAnne · 16/09/2022 15:39

I think the accessibility queue was featured on BBC radio main news this morning, and lots of people who weren’t aware of it turned up there instead of the main queue.

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