Any Bright Ideas, Please.

[Tilly2]

My Dad desperately wants to go to Blackpool. I have contacted a company called Disabled Holidays who have a hotel which caters for disabled people, carers, hoists, electric beds and so on.

Our problem is getting there. I cannot drive to Blackpool and we will need to go by train. We can get to Manchester Piccadily reasonably easily from Milton Keynes but the hotel will charge us £318 to pick us up and take us to Blackpool, £3.00 per mile. That's almost the cost of the hotel stay! Plus we will have to pay train fares.

The holiday company suggests ringing some local taxi firms and asking how much they would charge. What do you think? Any bright ideas?


I think this little jaunt might be a step too far!

[EDDIE51]

Here MK central to Blackpool North one change at Manchester Piccadilly
http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/details/MKC/BPN/today/1530/dep?outwardJourneyId=2&;fareId=5&isReturn=false&callingPage=tf&fareType=s&realtime=false&alternatives=false&offpeak=false&;offpeakReturn=false&fastestTrains=EXCLUDE&url=/service/times/MKC/BPN/today/1530/dep?excludeslowertrains=&saved=false&;outwardResponseId=4&&fareDisplayId=2

[Tilly2]

Jth, it's The Bond Hotel we're looking at. Do you know it?

[SirOracle]

Stuey Firstly they are NOT a taxi company,and secondly they are not cheaper.they use private cars and drivers are unlicensed.

They are a huge USA company who are trying to "take over" Europe and the world. Causing riots in many cities eg Paris,Rome.Berlin,London etc etc.

[EDDIE51]

Bond hotel web page , they will arrange to collect you from any Blackpool ail station at an inclusive price.
http://bondhotel.co.uk/planning-visit/accessible-coaches/

[jackthehat]

It's not terribly far from me, tilly.
As far as I know, it is a highly praised establishment and seems to be a flourishing hotel; there are always mini-buses/coaches, etc. dropping off or collecting guests.

What sort of infirmity/disability does your Dad have?

Many of the larger hotels can cope with disabled guests, but I suppose it depends on the nature of the disability.....

[humbersloop]

Tilley

have a look at the train journey from Bedford to Leeds, change, then Leeds to Blackpool - a long haul but it might work

[MargoTester]

Tilly have you had a look at shearings - they cater for disabled people and it looks as though they go from Bedford to Blackpool

[Tilly2]

Jth, Dad will need carers when he's away to get him washed, dressed and toileted. This hotel has carers available for £15.00 per hour. I can't attend to all Dad's care needs but I won't need to at The Bond. He is quite happy to pay for them. He doesn't want me mithering over things like that.

Sloopy, I'll have a look at the Leeds option. Thank you.

[Tilly2]

Thanks as well, Margo. I'll have a look at Shearings as well.

What a lovely lot you all are, trying to help me. I really do appreciate the time and effort.
x

[MargoTester]

No problem Tilly just hope that you manage to sort something out xx

[EDDIE51]

If your Dad uses a wheelchair he will need to book a wheelchair ramp for most train services.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/disabled_passengers.aspx
It is free as is other help in getting on the train etc but you do need to book it in advance.

[Tilly2]

Thanks, Eddie. I will do that. I am going to need help at all the stations anyway because I will need to push Dad and pull a suitcase.