Disability access at the John Smith's Grand National

Disability Discrimination Act

Aintree Racecourse is committed to making the course grounds and website available to as many people as possible meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act and makes every effort to ensure its communications and facilities are accessible to those with special needs, including those with visual, hearing, cognitive and motor impairments.

On-Site Accessibility

With the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in October 2005, Aintree Racecourse, in common with all premises offering access to the Public in England and Wales, assumed a mandatory obligation to provide easy access to all parts of its premises for people with Disabilities, wherever reasonably practicable. The Act recognizes, however, that full access is not always reasonably achievable in older existing buildings, and therefore states that in these cases people with disabilities should be able to gain easy access into the premises and that the services they require should be made available to them in close proximity to their entry point.

Aintree Racecourse comprises an interlinked grouping of multi-storey buildings on one site, some updated as recently as 2008 and with significant changes in floor levels both between and within individual buildings.

To meet the requirements of the legislation, we have made substantial practicable changes to our facilities that include:
• Inclusion of induction loops installed in suites and bars
• Braille being included on the majority of our signage
• Improvements to disabled viewing areas
• Suite doors being widened
• Lowering of Tote facilities to improve access for betting purposes
• Viewing balconies improved for wheelchair access
• The introduction of a disabled lift
• Changes to existing lifts to allow wheelchair operation
• Increasing disabled car parking access
• Widened car parking spaces and installed appropriate signage
• New and more centrally located disabled toilets
• Modification of existing toilets to allow ambulant disabled access (including widening cubicles, installation of grab rails, lengthening mirrors, adjusting flush mechanisms, adjustments to door locking facilites and washbasin and handles)
• Refuge areas constructed in case of fire (including the installation of a 2-way communication system with the on-site control room to each point)
• Additional Evac chairs
• Changes to health and safety procedures to protect disabled persons
• Changes in admissions policy in respect of disabled persons (ie, allowing carers in free of charge – on shoulder meetings – This excludes the Grand National)
• Disability specific training for key personnel

Aintree Racecourse is committed to improving access and movement through the buildings for people with physical, sensory and psychological disabilities and impairments through many ongoing upgrading and improvement programmes.

Disabled Toilet facilities can be located in:
• Princess Royal Stand
• County Stand
• Queen Mother Stand
• Earl of Derby Stand
• Lord Sefton Stand
• Winner’s Bar
• Paddock Lodge
• Equestrian Centre
• Klick Fitness Car Park
• The Media Centre
• The Weighing Room

Lowered Services counters are available in the The Red Rum Bar, Hedgehunter Bar, Tattersalls, Stands and in the Tote. Induction Loops are available in all stands on the racecourse.

Stands and Suites

Tattersalls Enclosure

Parking
The designated car park is off Ormskirk Road, on the same side at the racecourse. This needs to be booked in advance online or by calling the Booking Line on 0844 579 3001. Racegoers will only be able to access the disabled car park area on production of the customer’s blue badge.

Viewing
Raised platform viewing for wheelchair users to the left of the Aintree Mound in front of the famous Chair Fence.

Bars
We have many groundfloor bars that are accessible for racegoers in the Tattersalls area, including the Irish Bar, the Parade Ring bars (at the rear of the Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton Grandstand) and the bars in the Aintree Pavilion, which also has a disabled toilet.

Toilets
Disabled toilets are available at the back of the Aintree mound, Irish Bar (ground floor of the Princess Royal Grandstand), at the side of the Old Weighing Room and at the rear of the Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton Grandstands (by the Parade Ring and Winner’s Enclosure).

Totesport
Lowered tote windows are available in the Princess Royal Car park area and adjacent to the Parade ring and the Winner’s Enclosure. Independent bookmakers are located by the Parade Ring area also.

Catering
Wheelchair accessible catering is available on all three days with mobile catering units and concessions available in the Tattersalls Enclosure.

Taxis
There is a taxi rank outside the main entrance to the race course, please ask at the Information Point on the day for directions.

Grandstand areas

Parking
The designated car park is off Ormskirk Road, on the same side at the racecourse. Cost is £12.00 per car and needs to be booked in advance online or by calling the Booking Line on 0844 579 3001. Racegoers will only be able to access the disabled car park area on production of the customer’s blue badge.

Viewing
The Princess Royal Grandstand seating area has wheelchair and carer spaces located to the rear of the seats, along with disabled toilets. Please Note: Carers and children are chargeable at full price

Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton Stand Lower and Upper seats have designated wheelchair and carer spaces available at the front of the viewing seats. Seats are accessible by 2 lifts and disabled toilets are also available on each floor.

Catering
Available within all of the grandstand areas, within the private bar areas.

Hospitality
All of our restaurants within the Princess Royal Grandstand, Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton Grandstands have lift access and are suitable for wheelchair users.

General Information

Travelling by Train
The easiest way to reach Aintree is by train . Aintree train station is easily accessible by rail and all of the areas of the railway station are accessible without the use of stairs. The nearest mainline station to Aintree is Liverpool Lime Street. Liverpool Central Station is just a short walk from Lime Street, where you can catch a train to Aintree. Aintree Station is directly opposite the racecourse, where regular trains run every 71/2 minutes on racedays.

By road
From South Leave M6 at J21A and join M62 west. Leave M62 at J6 to join M57, follow signs for races.
From North Leave M6 at J26 and join M58, follow signs for races.
From Mersey Tunnels Follow signs for Preston, then for A59, then signs for races.

By bus
Aintree can be reached by bus on services: 300, 311, 345, 350 and 351 both to and from Liverpool. From Bootle New Strand take route 61A. For further information on bus routes, contact Traveline on 0871 200 22 33

Aintree address for SatNav users:
Aintree Racecourse
Ormskirk Road
Aintree
Liverpool
L9 5AS

Totesport
Totesport is happy to help anyone in difficulties over placing a bet. Please feel free to ask for assistance from one of our many staff at the totesport windows.

Baby Changing Facilities
There is a designated baby changing facility within the Irish bar on the ground floor of the Princess Royal Grandstand, in the Queen Mother Grandstand and in the Aintree Pavilion.