Accessibility at Banbury Sailing Club
Banbury Sailing Club is in Northamptonshire on Boddington reservoir between the villages of Byfield and Upper Boddington; approximately 6 miles northeast of the town of Banbury.

SatNav:
Banbury Sailing Club, NN11 6XU
Access to the club is via a 400m long private road, the entrance to which, is located off Boddington Road. Although the entrance is signposted, visibility can be poor along Boddington Road so care should be taken when entering and exiting.
There is a large flat public car park just inside the entrance with pedestrian access to the club and rest of the reservoir site. Car access is for club members only and controlled by a locked gate at the start of the private road. All members have keys to unlock the gate and can allow entry to visitors at their discretion.

The gate is on casters so once unlocked, is easily pulled opened. However, visitors finding it difficult to open the gate can call the club house (01327 260960) and a member will come down and open the gate for you.
The road leading to the club house has a gravel surface that is traversable by cars. However, the surface can deteriorate over winter months so vehicles should be driven cautiously to avoid potential potholes. The gravel surface can also present difficulties for pedestrians, wheelchair users or those with walking difficulties.
Once you reach the club house there is a large car park to the rear with plenty of parking. It is recommended that you park opposite to the club house if possible. The other parts slope downwards and can present problems for some cars in wet weather.

Clubhouse Access and Facilities
The clubhouse has two main entrances both of which have stairs to reach. One entrance is just inside the main gate from the car park. (See below) The other entrance is to the rear of the clubhouse and is off the veranda. (see next page) Both entrances are locked and alarmed and entry to the club house is controlled via a keypad code that is only available to members. When the main club house is open, there is also a level access route with wheelchair access up to 75cm straight into the club house from the car park through our drop bar Fire Exit. Once inside, all areas are on one level with no steps/barriers limiting access and there are accessible toilet and changing facilities.


The large outside veranda area (below) has some sections on the same level, whilst other parts have one or two steps to access. There are plans to make all areas accessible with ramps. (This Statement will be updated when work is complete).


The Main Clubhouse Area
The main interior space is open plan. However, there are supporting columns at regular intervals so visitors with visual impairments should take care when moving around inside. There is a fully equipped kitchen/galley area for preparing and storing food with modern appliances. A bar area serves a wide range of alcoholic and soft drinks. We have a separate quiet training room off the main clubhouse room and there are separate male and female toilets and changing facilities.



Access Around the Grounds

The club is situated on a gentle sloping bank at the edge of the reservoir. The ground surface is either mown grass lawn or hard gravel paths and can be quite uneven in parts. Access for wheelchair users is generally good except in poor weather conditions when the ground can become slippery and/or muddy. There is plenty of seating and tables placed around the site.

The boat park takes up most of the club grounds. Care should be taken if approaching parked boats as there will be various ropes running from the boats to ground level to tie them down that pose a trip hazard.

For those members with mobility issues, support will be provided to ensure safe transfer to and from boats and training craft. Different ways of entering and exiting a craft will be taught depending on mobility and these can include bum shuffling or the use of an access board.

Slip ways and Pontoons
Caution should be taken if walking along the bank by the reservoir as erosion has made several portions unstable. The pontoons are off limits to visitors unless permission is given by a club member. Buoyancy aids must always be worn whilst on the pontoon and water.






Equipment Shed
General equipment for sailing; life jackets, sails, etc are housed in the container below. Access is a little uneven and can be slippery in wet weather. Sails are kept on shelving and are clearly marked on the shelf edging and equipment is easily accessed with plenty of space and good lighting in the unit.



For those members with mobility issues, support will be provided to ensure there is safe access to boats and training craft to cater for everyones individual need wherever possible.
At Banbury Sailing Club we believe sailing is an inclusive activity and should be accessible for all to enjoy whether taking part or watching and supporting someone out on the water. We make every effort to ensure our facilities cater to all ages and abilities. If you have a particular requirement or concerns about accessing our facilities, please do not hesitate to contact the club and we will make every effort to accommodate your request.
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Last updated 15:52 on 26 December 2024