The Gravity Grand Prix Disability Statement

The Gravity Grand Prix aims to provide an environment where everyone can access as much of the event as possible, can participate, enjoy the main features and have access to refreshment and comfort at all times. It should be noted, however, that the nature of the terrain may restrict accessibility in certain areas and care must be taken and assistance sought when necessary.

Vehicle Access and Parking

Designated blue-badge parking bays are available for the event, located in the grounds of Cookham Dean School. You must be the owner of, and clearly display, a valid blue disabled badge to use these bays. Access to the course is about 50 metres from the car park and is fully wheelchair compliant. If you wish to reserve one of these bays, please contact Mark Howarth email traffic@gravitygrandprix.co.uk at least 48 hours prior to the event.

Getting to us by Public Transport

Sunday bus services do not serve Cookham or Cookham Dean but the Arriva bus route 35 runs hourly from High Wycombe, Loudwater, Flackwell Heath and Wooburn Green to Bourne End station enabling a co-ordinated link (6 minutes) to hourly train services that connect Maidenhead, Furze Platt, Cookham, Bourne End and Marlow. The train journey time from Maidenhead to Cookham is 8 minutes, from Bourne End 4 minutes and from Marlow 15 minutes. Details of bus services are available at:

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/beds-and-bucks/services/37-35---high-wycombe-to-maidenhead/ and details of train services can be found at:

https://www.thetrainline.com/train-times/maidenhead-station-to-marlow

Access to the Event

The main event takes place in the open air, using the road through the village. Pedestrian routes are separated from the road and are accessible to, and useable by, wheelchairs with the exception of the path by-passing the short section of the course between the top of Popes Lane and Hardings Green. Wheel chair users needing to traverse this section can do so using the road during breaks in the racing. Please contact a steward for assistance if needed. It should be noted that most sections of the course are on an incline (up to 10%) and due care should be taken or assistance sought.

Access to Facilities

Specific disabled toilet facilities are provided inside the Village Hall (use side entrance) and non-specific but fully accessible facilities are also available at The Jolly Farmer. Accessible food and drink is available at The Jolly Farmer (Full bar and food service), The Village Hall (Tea and cakes) and Uncle Toms Cabin (Full bar and food service). Other bars and food outlets near the start and on the Village Green may involve traversing rough grass and wheelchair users should consider having assistance in these areas.

Medical Assistance

A paramedic service is in place throughout the event, based adjacent to the War Memorial, opposite the Village Hall and fully accessible. If assistance is needed, please visit the paramedics directly or contact a steward who can summon assistance.

Assistance workers and animals

The Gravity Grand Prix welcomes assistance workers and assistance dogs. Please take care to ensure dogs cannot access the course during racing. Water for dogs can be found outside The Jolly Farmer, Uncle Toms Cabin and the Village Hall.

Emergency evacuation

The nature of the event venue means that emergency evacuations are very unlikely to extend beyond individual buildings and there is plenty of space for evacuees to congregate. If you are likely to need assistance in these circumstances, please ensure you have alerted an appropriate person at the relevant location.

Participation & Registration

Disabled participants are encouraged to enter the event with a suitable kart. We are happy to provide help with the registration process. If this is required, please contact Paul Webb email info@gravitygrandprix.co.uk . Karts will be subject to scrutiny in the same way as all entrants, to ensure the kart complies with the rules of the event and poses no threat to the driver or spectators. Potential participants should note that no compromise can be allowed in these regards. We recommend that disabled participants consider having additional support crew to assist at both ends of the course. Please notify the organisers when entering, of any disability that will restrict your ability to exit the kart in the event of a crash or other emergency so that marshals and other key staff can be alerted.

Additional support

In the event that any additional support is required during the event, please contact the information point, located at the mid-point of the course between The Jolly Farmer and the War Memorial. Public announcements are made through the extensive PA system. We regret that due to the nature of the venue, no induction loop is available. If visitors have questions prior to the event or wish to discuss specific support in advance, please contact the organisers at info@gravitygrandprix.co.uk or by calling 07801 471738.

Event information

Event information available on our web-site is presented in clear colour separated formats.

Confidentiality

Any information provided about your disability will be treated in the strictest confidence. If special arrangements are to be made by the event, we may need to tell colleagues in order to meet your needs. If you ask us not to inform others, we will discuss the implications of that decision with you.

Feedback

We welcome feedback on our services and on ways in which we can improve your experience while attending The Gravity Grand Prix.

Paul Webb email: info@gravitygrandprix.co.uk or telephone 07801 471738

Statement revised May 2018. This statement can be provided in alternative formats.