West Ham United

Response from West Ham to the Question: Can disabled wheelchair user fans sit at the front?

‘Wheelchair users can sit at the front of the upper tier or at the back of lower tiers but we do not have any wheelchair spaces pitch-side.’

Can disabled wheelchair user fans sit at the front

Great day out. Access within the ground was ok. Better signage for the accessible toilets needs implementation. Shuttle buses are only equipped to carry 2 wheelchair users at a time.

We stayed in the local area the night before the match and arrived at the stadium on foot, we had no problems in getting from our hotel to the ground and finding the away disabled fans entrance was very easy, there were signs directing us to where we needed to go.

Once inside the ground, I was able to gain access to the concourse but found it to be small and cramped once it started to fill up with the rest of our away fans.

I didn’t purchase any food as there was nothing available for a coeliac to have.

When I entered the stadium, I asked two stewards where the accessible toilets were, I was directed to the male block of toilets and told an accessible toilet was in there. What I found was in the block was a separate cubicle that had a wheelchair symbol on the door but this was not suitable for a wheelchair user as despite having handrails in, the door was far too narrow for my wheelchair to get through. I came out of the toilet block and again asked the stewards where an accessible toilet was,one that a wheelchair would fit into. The stewards did not seem to know where one was, but one did go off to look for one and came back to tell where one was located. This time, it was definitely a wheelchair accessible toilet, but there seemed to be very few signs around to direct disabled fans to this toilet and the only option was to ask stewards who didn’t seem to have much knowledge of the stadium or what a wheelchair accessible toilet was.

The view from the wheelchair area in the away end was very good, probably the best I have had since going to Wembley and like Wembley, my wife was able to sit next to me during the game too.

This was in my view a near perfect experience for disabled supporters, exceptionally good view, level step free access throughout, friendly stewarding. I was aware of a number of EFC with mobility issues, who were genuinely distressed to find that they were seated at the top of the rear away tier. They had been shocked to find that this high seating area had no lift access. Stewards were later seen to be trying to help several ambulant disabled to spare disabled area seating. Good stewarding, but this is a serious flaw in accessible provision.

Overall this is a state of the art athletics stadium which from a football point of view makes for a poor stadium experience, with fans so far from the pitch. But, it is a very accessible stadium, with a top class view.

I was looking forward to the trip to London Stadium as I had visited the area during 2012 Olympics though not inside the Olympic Park.So I was familiar with my route. Liverpool to Euston, then a short walk to St Pancras followed by the 7 minute train to Stratford International.

We arrived at Stratford International around 2pm. The place is busy on match day so the first task was to navigate ourselves out of the shopping centre and towards the stadium. There were plenty of stewards around to direct us on the right path but we somehow still managed to end up in a shopping store and looking for the way out!

The walk to the ground had a ‘Wembley Way’ feeling to it but without the nostalgia. There were no problems making our way to the stadium with decent signposts directing us to Gate D.

The away end entrances were well stewarded and the wheelchair access was easy to access. A quick bag search before we went in and once inside we made our way to the concourse, which was relatively spacious and with good access to toilets and bars.

We were escorted to the wheelchair area and took our places in good time. At this point you realise why there is such a fuss about with the new stadium.

It just isn’t a stadium suited for football. It’s an impressive athletics stadium, cosmetically adjusted to compensate for a football pitch and 50000 plus football fans who are sat well away from the playing area, some whom need binoculars if sat in the upper tier.

The facilities for wheelchairs are what you would expect in a modern stadium – spacious area with companion seats adjacent to the wheelchair bays. The area is well undercover and access back on to the concourse is straight forward.

We left the game five minutes early to escape the rush. Exiting the stadium we were prevented going back the way we came in the ground and were directed by stewards towards a lift which took us down one level and from there we had a 10 minute walk back to the station.

Fortunately, we bypassed the long queues to the station and got back to St Pancras in good time.

The stadium isn’t popular with the home fans – they told us that on the way back! And it’s clear to see why. Strange atmosphere adding to what was a poor game and an underwhelming football experience, something you would never associate with West Ham Utd.

From my experience the Olympic Stadium is one of the best in the country for accessibility access and even more so the West Field center is also designed in a way which makes it easy for disabled people. The access from the Tube to the top level could be better but this is definitely much better than the old stadium, coming from the Tube up the stairs was something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Overall I rate this 10/10 and the stadium is amazing. Our tickets were located close enough to the pitch to have a great view but a little low down. Preference would be a little higher. Hopefully the Hammers can start playing better!

I am the Secretary of the Arsenal Disabled Supporters’ Association and attended the match at the new stadium yesterday. We had booked a car parking space as I am a wheelchair user. We had difficulty finding the car park as there was a lack of signage for the car parks and we had to keep asking the public and stewards as the postcode given does not yet appear on Sat Navs. Nobody appeared to know where Loop Road was and the club should consider when sending out instructions, to make it clearer on the map as to where the road is in comparison to Stratford Station and Westfield. When we eventually found the car park we were welcomed at the entrance by stewards and shown to our space.

We found finding the disabled entrance to the stadium unclear as the signage was too low down and had to ask a steward where it was. Inside we were unclear where to go as our ticket showed Block 117 but after fighting our way through the fans to a steward we were told it was in fact entrance 118.

The viewing was ok but I had short people in front of me but I did not have a clear view. I question whether the seating for wheelchair users in the Away area meets stadium guidelines. If there were four people in front of me who were over 6 foot, I would not have been able to see the goal. I am not sure that one disabled toilet for the amount of disabled people is sufficient.

One other point, the screen when advertising adverts was extremely bright as we were face on to it and was distracting. Maybe by reducing the level of brightness would help.

On a positive note, the stadium was a beautiful stadium and in a lovely setting with an excellent sound system and I only wished that I had seen it during the Olympics.

Reproduced from Access Advisr

The first review of West Hams new home, the London (formerly Olympic) Stadium for accessadvisr.net.

West Ham were very helpful in providing a car-park pass as I drive from a van in my wheelchair. However, once the permit arrived, we noted that the car-park only opened two hours before kick-off. Not good if you’re hoping to make a bit more of the day.

So, I parked at the Westfield, Stratford shopping Centre, and after a meal at Jamies Italian, our hardy group headed to the stadium.

The ten minute stroll was on fairly smooth and even ground, so not too much of a problem. Upon arrival at our entrance we had to pass through one door, then be locked in (in a decompression-chamber type way) whilst our tickets were scanned and the second door opened.

The bar concourse was spacious, and it was a surprise to see fans of both teams mingling.

The uploaded pictures (and video herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y_UwbNSJA0) hopefully show what an excellent view was to be had from the away section at the back of the lower tier. Fans in front were much lower so that even though they were stood up throughout the game (don’t tell David Gold) the view was not obstructed.

I didn’t use the loos.

Sadly the result did not go our way, but the stadium was fantastic.

ps. Be prepared for a tortuous journey back to Westfield post-match, with stewards holding Stop/Go signs for pedestrians! Be even more prepared to take an age getting out of Westfield.

Top marks on this review!I had thought about getting the train and tube, but at the last moment I emailed West Ham and they were extremely helpful in letting me have a parking space right next to the ground. The car parking attendants were friendly and made everything easy.Following the trip to the Black Lion (see review) we got back to the ground and a very helpful steward took us to a lift which went to the viewing platform at the back of the Trevor Brooking stand.As you would expect it was a great view and I was very well looked after. My one teeny weeny gripe was that we were not with our own supporters. I got no stick from the West Ham fans even though I cheered rather too loudly on four occasions!I’m sure that next season the issue of sitting apart from your own fans will be addressed as West Ham are moving to a new stadium.So, thank you to everyone at West Ham for being incredibly helpful and friendly.

Review from Access Advisr website

Everton have agreat record at Upton Park in recent years and we have had some brilliant results there usually with late winning goals, yesterday being no different. Whilst it is alwaysbrilliant getting such late wins, it is never the same for me and others Everton disabled supporters who are located in the home end of the Trevor Brooking Stand. Celebrating goals, but especially late winning goals really is not the same when you aren’t with the rest of the away supporters who are celebrating together to our left. I can’t explain how separate this makes you feel. You also are aware that there are West Ham fans near to you, so don’t want to overly celebrate in case any comments etc are made, having had this happen at other away grounds, I am always that much more aware of trying not to celebrate goals too much, whichwhen you get such late winners is really hard to do and not always possible.

The view from the back row of this stand is really good, due to being so high up, no part of the pitch is obstructed, the West Ham fans below don’t block the view at all either. Despite thegood view, I really don’t like sitting there as I am so far away from the rest of our supporters. There is no way that I can see any of my friends who are in the away end before the game as the entrance to the disabled area is the oppoosite end to where the away fans enter the ground and as there is no disabled access to the away from the home end, you can’t see anyone at half time. I really would forego having such a good view to be in the away end, so I can be with my friends and celebrate goals and wins with them. The away coaches drop off in Priory Road right outside the away entrances, the disabled entrance is right around the other side of this stand, it isn’t too bad for me to be pushed through the crowd to get to the entrance, I don’t think I could manange this push on my own, so wouldn’t be able to attend this game without a carer coming with me.

Access to the away end is via lift, the only problem I have with this is the amount of time it takes to get in the lift especially when the game is finished. The lift isn’t particualarly big, only two wheelchairs (depending on the size of the wheelchair) can fit in the lift. It can take 10-15 minutes to get down to the exit which if you are needing to get back for a train can be a problem, one of the Everton supporters always leaves the game in the 85th minute to ensure he can get down in the lift to get his taxi back to Euston. The amount of goals he has missed in recent seasons due to this is really unfair.

The stewards are so helpful and friendly, they cannot be faulted, especially the steward who was helping keep theonedisabled toiletfrom being used by non disabled supporters.

I know West Ham will be leaving Upton Park the season after next,I hope that away disabled supporters will be sat in the away end and will still have an elevated view in their new stadium as this will go a long way to ensuring disabled fans have a good matchday experience.

Staff were lovely and apologetic but be prepared to be away from the rest of the away fans. We were not with the away fans, and it was a huge disappointment.

The coaches parked in Priory Road this season as opposed to being on the Barking Road, this is a bit nearer to the disabled entrance but still had to walk around the streets to gain access to this entrance.

The stewards are always very friendly at Upton Park and we where shown to the lift and from the lift to our seats by a very helpful steward, who also told us where the disabled toilet was and where we had to go to get food and drink. The toilet is spacious and set away from the home end fans so only disabled fans use it. My brother went to get drinks as it’s too far for a wheelchair user to carry hot food and drinks from there to our seats.

The view from the away is brilliant due to being so high up, back row of the stand, but it is totally unobstructed, no matter if the West Ham fans below stand up. Can see all parts of the pitch so clearly. It is without doubt one of my favourite views in the premier league. The only downside is that it isn’t the away end, but there are never any problems with the home fans and because the view is so good, I don’t mind not being in with the rest of the away fans.

Again we had to walk the long way around to get back to the coaches but it only a few minute walk and is accessible.

West Ham has always been and will always be one of my favourite away trips.

It was a bit of a track having to walk round the houses to gain access to the ground, but once there escorted to our seats by Gwen. Pleasant and understanding.

She actually gave us a choice of seats from those not sold near thesegregation area. Head set provided perfect commentary. Michael mentioned it was good because they said what was happening in the game. Some grounds it can be dominated by what home team are doing.

The police and stewards were understanding about waiting till the crowds had gone from the ground. Gwen appeared and took us through to an exit near to the main road.

Can’t comment about car parking as we had a lift to the ground and used the public bus to get back to meet up with our family.

A couple of years ago it was said that a limited number of car spaces were available, don’t know if that is still the case.

My Name is Andy Webb & I am the Disabled Co-ordinator at Barnsley Football Club, I Visited Upton Park 3.1.2009 for the F.A. Cup Tie between our 2 Teams, I was there as part of a group that included 2 Wheelchair users, a Visually Impaired Person & our Carers.

I can Speak for the whole group when I say the despite the result we really enjoyed our day, this was in no small part due to the Stewards & the Disabled Assistants employed by your Club. They were great nothing was too much trouble for them & after the Match the 2 Disabled assistants escorted us through the crowds and back to our Coaches, this was after we had expressed concerns to them about us getting to the coaches through the Crowds.

Although I dont have the names of the 2 Ladies concerned they both had blonde hair, I thought it only right to put this Email together in an age when everybody wants to be negative about things it is only right to point out positives when they happen, if possible could you please pass on my Greatful thanks to the People concerned & may I wish all at West Ham United all the best for the rest of the Season in your remaining fixtures.

As mentioned by a previous poster, I found the stewards very helpful. I was escorted to my place, I asked the steward if they knew where I could get a programme or if anyone came round selling them. She said she wasn’t sure but would find out for me.

Sure enough a short time later she turned up with a programme for me. The view was excellent although your not sat with your home fans, she did apologise for us not sitting with our own fans but said the club are considering taking some seats our to allow access to the away seating area. Car parking was also fairly near