Here you can read about my personal experiences, tips and usual places. So you can prevent rude surprises.
London
London is a very wheelchair-accessible town compared to Luxembourg. But it lacks on some things. (- = negative; + = positive)
1. Public transport
- BUS (two-storeeyed):
Every bus is fitted with an electric extandable ramp which the busdriver can run from his seat by pushing a button. (+)
There is a special place for wheelchairs which must be free when a disabled person comes into the bus. (+)
You must have an escort to go up the ramp or to get in or out of the bus quickly. (-)
Some drivers don’t run out the ramp so you must try to get in or out of the bus by yourself. (-)
- TUBE:
I didn’t have the opportunity to try it out because most of the entries had stairs. Only a few have elevators. (-)
EDIT 08.04.2009: During our last stay I could try the tube to get to our hotel and it's very good. It's just more difficult to enter during the rush hour.
- DLR
The Docklands Light Railway is extremely wheelchair-accessible. You can enter at ground level. (+)
Unfortunately there is no spezial wheelchair-place so you must place it in the middle of the „room“ and hold on to the iron bar. Without escort it isn’t very safely. (-)
2. Access and WC's on public places and restaurants
The most public places I have been in had ramps and elevators. The staff was very helpful and nice.
I advise against public toilets for the disabled (containers). They aren’t very clean even if they are closed for other people!!!!
I found 2 public toilets for disabled people during my time in London (I hope there will be more ! ). The 1st one was in the Plaza Shopping Centre (Oxford Street). A bit small but clean. You have to ring the bell at the door and wait for someone of the security to open it. (+)
But it isn’t advised to go at the last moment because sometimes you must wait about 10 minutes. (-) *lol*
The other one was at the railway station of Kings Cross. But I can’t advise it at all. It isn’t clean even it’s closed by key and the toilet was broken. (-)
During our stay we found 2 restaurants which are accessible for wheelchairs and they have toilets for disabled people.
The first one is "The Table" at Southwark Street and "Fifteen" at Westland Place.
At "The Table" there's a door which opens automatically on pushing a button next to the door.
The "Fifteen" is an old building with some stairs at the front door. But the staff has a ramp to put on the stairs so that you can access with the wheelchair.
In both restaurants the staff is very nice and helpful and I can really recommend to go there and enjoy the nice atmosphere.
3. Footpath
VERY GOOD!!! Every footpath is slanted and this on EVERY side of the street. Even the traffic islands are at ground level. (+)
Bochum (Germany)
1. Public transport
- BUS:
I've never tried it before but it seems to be wheelchair accessible. (+)
There is also a special place for wheelchairs in the bus. (+)
You can't enter without help. (-)
- U-BAHN (Underground) or STRASSENBAHN (which is on the street and underground):
The lines 308, 318, 302 and U35 are accessible for wheelchairs. You cant mostly enter at ground level (+)
You can't enter without help because the doors are closing very quick. (-)
2. Public places (Restaurants, ….)
The most public places were at ground level or had elevators.
On some places I couldn't go to the toilet because the staff didn't have a key but you must have your own one which you get . (-)
3. Footpath
Most of the footpaths are slanted. (+)
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