Accessibility

Chester is the first British city to win the coveted European Access City Award for its commitment to ensuring that the historic city continues to become more accessible for all.

More and more business, facilities and services now offer fully accessible services to people with access difficulties.

Wheelchair accessibility to the shops is good and it is possible to gain access to the famous 'Rows' from the shopping arcade in Eastgate Street. 

Changing Places
 

What are Changing Places Toilets? 
Standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of all people with a disability.

People with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well people with other physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis often need extra facilities to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably.

Changing Places toilets are different to standard accessible toilets (or "disabled toilets") as they have extra features and more space to meet the needs of people who use them.

The following Changing Places toilets are available in Cheshire.

AccessAble
 

Visit Cheshire is working closely with AccessAble to give you the detailed information you need to work out if a place is going to be accessible to you.

AccessAble’s Detailed Access Guides tell you all about a venue's access - hotels and guest houses, places to eat and drink, places to visit and much more. They are 100% facts, figures and photographs. We know everyone's accessibility needs are different, which is why having detailed, accurate information is so important. It's why AccessAble send trained surveyors to check out every single place in person and why the information collected has all been decided by the people who use it.

Check out access information for Cheshire West and Chester, Crewe, Macclesfield and Nantwich and Warrington - before you leave home or on the move using AccessAble’s App and Website.

Click here to download a copy of Chester City Centre Access: A Guide for disabled people.

Blue Badge Holders
 

Cheshire West and Chester has two parking areas dedicated to Blue Badge holders in Frodsham Street and Hamilton Place (four hour maximum stay). See information about car parks in Chester here.

In addition, Blue Badge Scheme holders may park free of charge for up to four hours on any City Council pay and display car park, with the exception of Trinity Street.

If you wish to stay longer than four hours, please purchase a pay and display ticket for the additional time and display the ticket next to your badge and clock. Please note that the pay & display machine in Kaleyards car park only starts accepting cash after 6pm. Also in Hamilton Place, there is no pay & display machine.

Please ensure your badge and clock are clearly displayed in your vehicle.

Shopmobility
 

Shopmobility West Cheshire provides daily use of mobility scooters, powered wheelchairs and manual wheelchairs to enable people with mobility difficulties to access shops and other facilities from Shopmobility centres across the Cheshire West and Chester area.

The service also offers a wide range of mobility aids (including wheelchairs, walking frames and mobility scooters) for sale or longer term loan, in addition to a repair and maintenance service.

Availability of equipment is subject to servicing, repairs and/or demand. Advance booking is recommended.

Shopmobility West Cheshire fees:

Annual membership

• Non-Cheshire West and Chester residents - £30
• Cheshire West and Chester residents - £25

Daily Hire

• Members - £3
• Non-members - £10

Multi Day hire (up to 7 days)

• Mobility Scooters and Powered Wheelchairs - £30
• Manual Wheelchairs, Rollators and Ramps - £20

Chester Park & Ride Service
 

Take the stress out of parking and avoid traffic by using the Chester Park & Ride service. The Park & Ride is an economic and environmentally friendly solution to travelling into the city for recreation or work. There are four Park & Ride sites around the Chester area, providing a total of 3170 parking spaces, which include designated disabled parking areas and additional parking for high sided vehicles/caravans/motor caravans.

Times of operation 
 

• Monday to Friday: every 12 minutes between 7am and 7pm
• Saturdays: every 12 minutes between 8am and 7pm
• Sundays and Bank Holidays: every 15 minutes between 9.30am and 6pm  

Tickets and fares
 

Tickets are available from machines near the bus stop at each car park. Please enter your car registration number and follow the simple steps on the touch screen machines. You will need to scan your ticket as you board the bus in both directions.

Parking is free for Park and Ride customers. Tickets cost £2 (return) per adult and children can travel free if accompanied by a paying adult.

Saver tickets are available for frequent travellers – six return tickets can be purchased for the price of five (£10). Card payments are available onsite.