Camborne as a destination

[whole diary]

[Eliza]

I thought of travelling to Camborne by train and making it our base for two or three days, because of the new Wetherspoons hotel and what appears to be a flat walk to and from the station.  (From what I can see, the footbridge over the track can be avoided by using the level crossing and each platform is accessed by a permanently open entrance.)

My question to members is where could we go by train or bus, whilst there?  I was taken aback that the train stations don't seem to have lifts for changing platform, and my husband is no lightweight to push in a wheelchair, so only routes with small inclines are feasible. 

 

[grahame]

I was taken aback that the train stations don't seem to have lifts for changing platform, and my husband is no lightweight to push in a wheelchair, so only routes with small inclines are feasible. 

The railways still have much Victorian infrastructure, predating lifts and accessibility - so it's a matter of history that they don't have all the facilities at many stations.    I'm delighted that a new footbridge at Chippenham opens next Friday, with lifts to the platform and to the booking office - at a cost of about 3 million pound for 2 lifts and 3 staircases.

A good campaigning friend of ours who's wheelchair bound has taught me a very great deal about station access (and my goodness I've pushed him some interesting routes!)  Changing platform at Trowbridge and at Bradford-on-Avon, even with the new accesses at each, remains a long way round to use the road bridge.

I don't know Camborne - perhaps other can help.   But if a new bridge with lifts were put in there, it would cost (at Chippenham rates of 1 million per lift and 330k per staircase) 2.6 million pounds - equivalent to a payment of one pound for every single passenger arriving and leaving from the station for the next 10 years.   And that's just one station - and an indication of the cost of the issue!

[LiskeardRich]

St Ives and Penzance both have half hourly buses from Camborne, Truro has 10-15 minute interval bus services from Camborne. The bus station is level walk from both train station and Wetherspoons Pub/Hotel. The Penzance/St Ives/Truro buses are 99% wheelchair accessible buses- in times of disruption an older double decker with step entry can sneak onto the service, but I recall this happening once or twice in the last year, and with such a frequency it isn't long to wait for the next one.
All platforms at Penzance, Redruth, Truro, St Austell and Hayle in the west of Cornwall are wheelchair user friendly due to access from the road being available on both sides of the railway line, or in the case of st Austell a new footbridge with lifts.
St Austell also has the luxury of the bus station being adjoined to the railway station so good for changing from bus to train.
St Austell railway station has good connections to Newquay, Fowey and Mevagissey by bus.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Many thanks for that very detailed 'local information' reply, richwarwicker. 

[LiskeardRich]

I forgot to mention Camborne 'spoons is in my opinion the best 'spoons I've eaten in for quality. Whilst they are all the same ingredients etc, the staff at Camborne seem to take pride in what they are serving.

[The Tall Controller]

Don't forget that trains don't stop Camborne Wednesdays.

[Chris from Nailsea]

For those who may not be familiar with that particular reference: may I offer you the following, from Jethro https://youtu.be/_axHV2wx8RA (warning: rather sweary). 

[Eliza]

For those who may not be familiar with that particular reference: may I offer you the following, from Jethro https://youtu.be/_axHV2wx8RA (warning: rather sweary).  ;D

I certainly wasn't familiar with that reference.  Thanks everyone for your informed replies.  It makes me realise how many facilities Taunton Station has, relative to its size and importance: three lifts, a waiting room and toilets, including disabled, on either of its main platforms, one station buffet and two car parks.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Ah, but the Taunton Station you see today is but a shadow of what it used to be - and I should know: I'm an expert on 'Taunton' 

[TonyK]

I lived in Camborne for part of 1973-74, probably much has changed. It seems much has stayed the same though. Penzance is a nice train ride, though I am sure the bus has its charms, but the interesting bits include hills. From there, buses run to Lands End - you would need to check accessibility of the bus and the destination. From St Austell, I suggest a bus to Charlestown, only a couple of miles, and a lovely harbour. I got there to find two tall ships, and the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) packing up after filming Doctor Who. Also close to Snozzle is, of course, the Eden Project, which has won awards for its facilities for the disabled.

[old original]

Be careful if considering Hayle with a wheelchair, the station is at the top of a bit of a hill

[LiskeardRich]

The nearest bus stop to Charlestown is approx. 3/4 mile from the village.

Lands End bus isn't normally accessible by bus, one of the few route can guarantee a step entrance bus.

[Tim]

You might already know about this, but the National Rail website has an index of stations.  This is the one for Camborne http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/CBN/details.html

Information includes details of staffing, accessible toilets (yes at Camborne), bridges, lifts, entrances etc.

Enjoy the break.

[Eliza]

You might already know about this, but the National Rail website has an index of stations.  This is the one for Camborne http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/CBN/details.html

Information includes details of staffing, accessible toilets (yes at Camborne), bridges, lifts, entrances etc.

Enjoy the break.

Thank you Tim and gentlemen - richwarwicker, old original and Four Track, Now! - for your tips and local knowledge.  I have made National Rail's Stations Made Easy my bible and coupled with Google's Street View, the route in and outside the station can be planned in advance.  If only the weather could be forecast with such accuracy!

[Fourbee]

I just wanted to add that depending on your requirements a rover may be suitable e.g.:

Freedom of Devon and Cornwall Rover - 3 in 7 days
Freedom of Devon and Cornwall Rover - 8 in 15 days
Freedom of the South West Rover - 3 in 7 days
Freedom of the South West Rover - 8 in 15 days
Ride Cornwall Day Ranger

There is more detail here http://www.railrover.org/ or the regular users on here may be able to help.

I have found this useful for planning routes/accessibilty before for the underground, but there may be other items of interest on there (I have put the link to London Waterloo station just as an example):
http://www.directenquiries.com/information/Waterloo/74452/summary/information.aspx