Access and disability

We are working hard to make the March for the Alternative as accessible as is practical. The sheer size of the event does present real challenges, not least that large areas of central London are likely to be closed to vehicles or completely congested for most of the day, but we are doing what we can to meet these.

We are making special arrangements for people who:

  • wish to join the march at the main assembly point
  • wish to join the last part of the march for a shorter route to the rally
  • wish to attend a static protest point in Hyde Park, or go straight to the rally.

At Victoria Embankment assembly point

There will be a special assembly point in Savoy St at the start of the March for people in wheelchairs and with disabilities who wish to join the demonstration in a group. There are accessible toilets within reasonable distance of the assembly point. This will be separately stewarded and will join in towards the front of the march. We understand that many people with disabilities will want to join their union or other groups in the rest of the march.

The size of the event means that there will be major road closures throughout central London all day on March 26th starting quite early. Roads at the assembly point will be closed from around 9am.  However it will be possible to drop off on Savoy Hill (off Savoy Street WC2) until 11.30am.  We need to gather requests for such access in advance so that we can discuss arrangements.

If you will need access, please complete the Victoria Embankment assembly point information form as soon as possible and by Friday March 18th at the latest.

Short march assembly point

For those who wish to join the march for a shorter distance there is a short march assembly point in St James St (off Piccadilly). There are accessible toilets that we have arranged within reasonable distance of this assembly point too. This will allow people to join the march for the final stretch into Hyde Park.

We would need people formed up there and ready to go by 12:45.  If you are being dropped off in a vehicle,  roads to the south of Piccadilly will be closed from 11am and we cannot arrange exceptions for this as access roads will be closed. However later drop offs can be arranged until 12.00pm on the other side of Piccadilly.

We will need to know in advance about anyone coming who needs vehicle access to the short march assembly point so that we can discuss arrangements. Please complete the short march assembly point information form as soon as possible and by Friday March 18th at the latest.

Of course people can join or leave the march at any point along the route, and as the march will be huge it is likely to be moving along Piccadilly from 1pm to probably at least 3:30pm, so if people wish to arrive later by tube they can. Piccadilly, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner are all on the final stretch of the march.

On the march

  • We are expecting that there will be St Johns Ambulance ambulances at the front and rear of the march and there will be trained first aiders distributed along the route.
  • It will not be possible for other vehicles to join the march.
  • Stewards will be briefed on disability issues, particularly those stewarding the assembly points in Savoy St and St James St.

Static Demonstration Point

We are now organising a static demonstration assembly point near the entrance for people in wheelchairs and with disabilities who wish to join the protest before the march enters Hyde Park.  This will be separately stewarded.  There are accessible toilets nearby in Hyde Park. There is limited parking and vehicle access, and we will need to know in advance if you are coming to this, though be aware that the whole area will be heavily congested.

Please complete the static demonstration point information form as soon as possible and by Friday March 18th at the latest.

In Hyde Park

  • There will be a signer on the giant screen(s).
  • There will be a further St John Ambulance facility, which will be joined by the ambulance at the front of the march when it arrives.
  • There will be a hard surface area accessible via hard paths that are suitable for wheelchairs.
  • There will be disabled access toilets.
  • For those who wish only to go to Hyde Park there will be some limited vehicle access taxi/dial-a-ride and minibus style vehicles either within Hyde Park (though space is very limited) or nearby. This will only be by pre-arrangement and with a permit issued by the TUC. Contact us in advance at march26@tuc.org.uk by March 14th.

Coach Parking arrangements

As there are so many coaches coming we are allocating coach drop off and parking places in advance, and people will make the rest of their journey by public transport or under their own steam.  A number of tube stations close to the assembly point are accessible and we will allocate coaches to drop off points near to accessible stations if we know about special needs in advance.

All coaches need to be registered with the TUC in advance. Coach organisers should  include any access issues when they do this, or tell us later if they only become apparent later. This should be done through the contact page.

We will be using a range of different drop-off points and parking arrangements around London for coaches. One reason for this is to make it easier for access for vehicles delivering and picking up people with disabilities to get to the march – and more importantly pick-up points.

Pick up points

We will be able to arrange pick-up points for taxi/dial-a-ride and minibus style vehicles either within Hyde Park (though space is very limited) or nearby. This will only be by pre-arrangement and with a permit issued by the TUC. Again you need to contact us in advance at march26@tuc.org.uk by March 14th.

Mobility Scooter hire

Anyone wishing to hire a mobility scooter for the day can call Mobility Scooter UK on 0800 328 1699, and ask for “Alison”. They deliver to agreed collection points. If you specify you are coming on the TUC march, and if you are coming with others, they are prepared to offer bulk discounts. You will need to make all arrangements directly with the company as march organisers have no connection with them.