The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is a 5-mile-long branch line that served mills and villages in the Worth Valley and is now a heritage railway line in West Yorkshire, England. It runs from Keighley to Oxenhope.
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway attracts a wide variety of visitors and welcome all in society irrespective of age, gender or any impairment whether physical, intellectual or sensory. Wherever possible, the KWVR strives very hard to provide access for people of all ages who have a variety of mobility or other special needs. We are committed to making everyone’s visit to the railway as enjoyable as possible.
TRAIN TRAVEL
A concessionary fare is available to holders of National Rail Disabled Railcards or National Concessionary Travel Disabled Passes. A concessionary fare is also available to one accompanying carer per disabled person. However please not that these concessions are not available on our special trains.
PARKING
We highly recommend that those with mobility problems coming by road transport start their journey from Oxenhope or Ingrow West stations.
Oxenhope: Free parking is available to all passengers in our own car park. Designated parking bays are situated close to the station building. In the event of these bays being full, we advise drivers to ‘drop off’ passengers near the station building and then park the car elsewhere. Please note that the main part of the car park is laid with authentic stone setts, so extra care is required.
Haworth: Car parking is available in a car park adjacent to the station, for which a charge is made (£3 per day as at July 2016). Please note that there are no designated parking bays and parts of the car park surface are a little uneven.
Oakworth: Very limited free parking is available to all passengers in our own car park, which is directly adjacent to the station. Please note there are no designated parking bays and the surface is uneven.
Damems: There is no station car park. We do not advise that disabled visitors start their journey from here.
Ingrow West: Free parking is available to all passengers in our own car park. Designated parking bays are situated close to the station building. In the event of these bays being full, we advise drivers to ‘drop off’ passengers near the station building and then park the car elsewhere. Please note that the main part of the car park is laid with authentic stone setts, so extra care is required.
Keighley: The KWVR station is directly adjacent to the part of the national network station managed by Northern. KWVR trains normally arrive and depart from platform 4. The KWVR has its own small car park, situated at the far end of the main station car park, but this is some distance from the station so we do not advise that disabled visitors start their journey from here.
Those with mobility problems travelling to the Railway on the national rail network should make themselves familiar with the policies of the train operators used to reach Keighley.
OUR CARRIAGES
Our historic railway carriages are largely restored to reflect their original construction, and therefore to board the train access is a stepping up from the platform and down to alight.
Most of our standard daytime timetabled trains are accessible for an individual with a disability, with a ramp to ease boarding from the platform. Part of one of our carriages has been specially adapted to allow wheelchair access for up to two wheelchairs plus carers – this carriage is normally run on the trains marked with a coffee cup in our timetable leaflet and on our website. You are advised to check 24-48 hours prior to your visit if this carriage is in use on the day of your visit by ringing our Administration Office at Haworth Station (01535 645 214).
Passengers who are sufficiently mobile are welcome to travel in any part of the train. You can move between the carriages (including to the buffet car) on the level, but the somewhat narrow connecting doors of our heritage carriages stop you from doing so in a wheelchair or scooter. For those who are able to walk a short distance, wheelchairs can be folded and carried in the Guard’s Van.
Where a person is able to alight from a wheelchair and walk a short distance to a seat, wheelchairs and all scooters will normally travel in the Guard’s Van. For safety reasons, wheelchairs and scooters should not be stored in the aisles or vestibules, or block any internal or external door of the carriage, on board the train.
The majority of our locomotive-hauled carriages were built in the 1950s and, whilst fitted with toilets, access to them is not possible in a wheelchair as they are fitted with traditional narrow doors.
Access between the platform and the train for wheelchairs is via a ramp. There are ramps at all KWVR stations, except Damems. Please note that, whilst our station and on-train staff are always willing to help, it is your responsibility for boarding the train using the ramp.
DIESEL UNITS
Some of our timetabled services (including all those in the Yellow timetable) are worked by our heritage diesel multiple unit (DMU) or diesel railbus (DRB). Wheelchair-bound passengers can be accommodated with the Guard in the DMU, but available space is severely restricted in the DRB.
PULLMAN SERVICES
On some special services we use our classic Pullman coaches from the 1920s. Due to the historic design of these luxurious carriages, with their narrow doors and gangways, it is NOT possible to accommodate wheelchairs at a table in one of these carriages. It is also important to note that passengers with mobility issues will need to climb up or down a step to board and alight from the train. Upon request when booking, we will also endeavour to ensure that passengers who have restricted mobility are sat as close to as possible to both the external doors and the on-board toilets. For those concerned, wheelchairs can be folded and carried in the Guard’s Van.
SANTA SPECIALS
These trains are very popular and can be very busy, frequently selling out in advance. We strongly recommend that all wheelchair users contact us to seek advice prior to booking.
WHEELCHAIRS & MOBILITY SCOOTERS
As outlined above, most KWVR services can carry manual or powered wheelchairs, folded if necessary, for those with a disability. If the wheelchair is bespoke and adapted for your special needs please contact the Railway in advance of travel and we will review on an individual basis.
Mobility scooters that can be folded completely down (which is the responsibility of the user) and carried on board similar to a piece of luggage can travel on our trains. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept any other type of mobility scooter for safety reasons.
PUSHCHAIRS, PRAMS & BUGGIES
Pushchairs, prams and buggies can be accommodated on our trains but MUST be either folded and placed on one of the luggage racks or stored in the Guard’s Van when travelling. In the case of the latter, it may be necessary to fold these items during busy periods.
ASSISTANCE DOGS
We recognise that these dogs provide assistance not only for the sight impaired but also for those with hearing loss, epilepsy, diabetes, physical mobility problems and more. Assistance Dogs are welcome on the KWVR, for which no charge is made.
OUR STATIONS
Please remember that our stations were largely built in the 1860s and, as such, can pose some access difficulties. Until you are boarding a train, please keep away from the platform edge. Please beware that some platform edges slope towards the track for drainage purposes and extra care will be needed. The KWVR does not have any ‘general use’ wheelchairs available at any of our stations. The wearing of high-heeled shoes is not recommended when visiting the KWVR.
Oxenhope: There is reasonably level access from the car park onto the platform and into the booking hall (from where your train tickets are purchased) for wheelchairs. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet and baby change facilities at the station. Being located in a 1950s-built carriage, there is stepped access to the Station Buffet, though wheelchairs cannot be accommodated therein. There is ramped access to the Exhibition Shed.
Haworth: There is level access from the car park into the booking hall and onto the platform (from where your train tickets are purchased) for wheelchairs. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet and baby change facilities at the station.
Oakworth: The main station building is Grade 2 Listed. There is level access from the car park into the booking hall and onto the platform (from where your train tickets are purchased) for wheelchairs. There are no wheelchair accessible toilet or baby changing facilities at the station.
Damems: This is a rural station, only one carriage in length, to which access can only be gained on foot via a rough track/approach road. Access between the platform and train is by a set of wooden steps, positioned by the station staff on arrival of the train, and is not suitable for those with limited mobility. Access by wheelchairs is not recommended.
Ingrow West: The station is an integral part of ‘Rail Story’. There is level access from the car park onto the platform and into the booking hall (from where your train tickets are purchased) for wheelchairs. There are no wheelchair accessible toilets and baby change facilities at the station. Wheelchair access is possible to the ground floor level of ‘The Loco Shed’ (operated and maintained by the Bahamas Locomotive Society) and to ‘The Carriage Shed’ (operated and maintained by the Vintage Carriages Trust).
Keighley: There is ramped access from the station forecourt, past the booking kiosk at the foot of the ramp (from where your train tickets are purchased) and onto the main platform (Platform 4). Access to Platform 3 – which is normally only used at some special events – is via a subway and sets of steps, and thus not suitable for those in a wheelchair or with limited mobility. There is no wheelchair accessible toilet at the station.
OUR STAFF
Our staff are very willing and always happy to provide help and assistance whenever we can.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you have any questions as to how we can help you further, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to help you to plan your visit – telephone us on 01535 645 214. Our Admin Office is manned seven days a week (except Christmas day), from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
