Travel

Getting there

This year we’re travelling to the OC Beach in style – not by charabanc but by train! You’ll need to book your ticket to Bristol Temple Meads and from there it’s a 12 minute ‘promenade’  to the party. To book your train ticket for the party please use the R&M travel portal and select ‘Non-Matter’ and NM01 from the drop down menu.

If you’re going to be travelling with friends you’re welcome to book tickets collectively to make the most of group rates, although you’ll need to make sure you travel together on the day.

Booking tickets

Please book your train tickets as soon as you’ve confirmed you’re attending the party so that you get the cheapest tickets. And please make sure you book your tickets through R&M as we won’t be able to expense any tickets bought independently.

Driving

There are very few parking spaces at Propyard, so these will be reserved for Blue Badge holders. All blue badge holders who requested a space as part of their RSVP have secured a parking space onsite.

Please use postcode BS2 0SE or What3Words reference calms.fault.prove to find the party.

Please check and ensure that you have business use covered on your motor insurance policy if driving. Car parking charges, fines or mileage cannot be reimbursed.

Arrival at the party

Those of you staying in a hotel should walk to your hotel to drop your luggage off before coming to the party. All hotels are within walking distance of the venue and Bristol Temple Meads train station.

Accessibility

We want to ensure that the party is delight for all. That means we’re introducing the priority pass so that those who have a disability whether hidden or visible can get quicker access to the facilities, transport and entertainment. These colleagues will be wearing a yellow lanyard, so please be mindful and aware of this should you need to queue at any point. If you’d like a priority lanyard they will be available for collection at the party from the help point once inside, or from a steward on the way in.

Those who are unable to walk the short distance from the party to the station or their hotel, can expense return taxis at either their line manager’s or HR’s approval. Expenses with line manager approval can be submitted in the usual way and expensed to ‘office travel’. If you’d prefer this to go via HR approval instead you can drop a note to your usual HR contact and, once approved, submit the expense to ‘misc other’.

If you’ve got any specific concerns about the accessibility of the party please contact Kelly Power.


Departures

As the party is a 12 minute walk from the station, it’s pretty straightforward for you to arrive and depart The OC Beach at your own leisure.

We’ll be running a shuttle service from sunset/21:00 via the station and on to each of the hotels for those who would like to take it. The shuttles will depart every 15 mins or if they’re full, whichever is first, on the hour, at quarter past, half past and so on until the party finishes at midnight.

As the hotels are walking distance to Bristol Temple Meads you’re free to return home at your leisure on Saturday morning.

Please note that we will not be accepting any taxi expenses, other than claims which are for those with reduced mobility.


Taxis

Should you need to arrange a taxi in Bristol Yellow cabs are a reliable firm and can be reached on 01179 231 515.