BiCon 2009 will take place at: The University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ. UK National grid ref: SO835555
Type this info into your gadgets and gizmos and let them guide you painlessly to the spot. Alternatively, you might like to follow the more conventional directions below…

Once on campus, follow signs to main reception in the "Edward Elgar" Building.
BiCon reception opening times:
Thursday: 10.00-23.00
Friday: 09.00-21.00
Saturday: 09.00-21.00
Sunday: 09.00-17.00
Outside these times, please call the BiCon reception mobile: 07909 xxxxxx. It will be staffed around the clock during the event.

By Road

For "car share" details, see bottom of page…

From M5 Junction 7 take the A44, signed "Worcester". Keep in the left hand lane and after 1/4 mile turn left at the next roundabout. (A4440). Go straight over 2 more roundabouts following the A4440. After you cross the river, the road becomes elevated and you need to turn RIGHT at the next roundabout signed "Worcester West A449" This is Bromwich Road. Cross the old river bridge and after half a mile turn RIGHT at the small roundabout, following signs for "city centre A449". Carry on for 1 mile through the leafy outskirts of the town then, at the roundabout, turn LEFT.
Immediately get into the right hand lane and take the first RIGHT turning by the green Pawnbrokers shop. This is Henwick Road. Continue for 0.6 miles, over the level crossing, then past the turning to Oldbury Road on your left.
As soon as you see the yellow bollard at the next T-junction, the University's "Severn Gate" is on your left. It's a red brick wall with green railings. Go around the sharp bend & immediately look out for the sign to the long-stay carpark on your right.

Parking. On arrival, all visitors should park in the long-stay car park next to the "Severn Gate" entrance. Day visitors should purchase a pay & display ticket from one of the machines (£1.00 weekends, £2.00 weekdays). If you are staying for the whole of BiCon you will be able to buy a special parking permit for £6. You won't get clamped during the 15 minutes or so it takes to walk to reception, collect your permit & room keys & return to the car! Once you have a parking permit you are free to park in any of the available campus parking bays, including those close to the accommodation blocks, for the duration of your stay. "Blue Badge" holders may park in any of the designated areas free of charge.

By Rail

Please note that National Rail have just announced major engineering works on the North Cotswold line. Not content to disrupt travel arrangements to last year's Leicester BiCon, they've decided to repeat the exercise this year!
Full details here:
Nationalrail.co.uk

Worcester has two rail stations:
Worcester Foregate Street is situated in the city centre and is approximately 1 mile from the college.
Worcester Shrub Hill is just to the west of the city and approximately 1.5 miles from the college.

Guide to approximate travel times:
Birmingham to Worcester Foregate Street 50 minutes
Cardiff Central to Worcester Foregate Street 1 hr 50 minutes
London Euston to Worcester Foregate Street 3 hrs
London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill 2hrs 20 minutes (warning: Service Disruptions)

Further info: nationalrail.co.uk

For buses which link the rail stations to the university, see "Local Buses" below.

There is a taxi rank opposite the railway station in Foregate Street next to the Odeon cinema. The taxi fare to the university is approx. £5.00.

By Coach

National Express operates a nationwide network of coaches & the best way to plan your journey is to visit their website: nationalexpress.com

Ideally, you want your coach to terminate at "Worcester Crown Gate Bus Station" in the city centre, from which you can catch a No. 31 bus to University College. See "Local Buses" above for details. Some coaches stop at Warndon Coachway, about 3 miles from the city centre and, if yours is one of these, you might then have to pay for a taxi as we can't guarantee a local bus service from here into town!

Local Buses

Crown Gate Bus Station is at the end of Angel Street, adjacent to the main shopping centre.

From Shrub Hill Railway Station to the University (BiCon)
service 31 (Henwick Park/Royal Hospital)
Shrub Hill —> Bus Station —> University (20 mins)
MON-SAT: departs shrub hill every 10-15 mins during the day.
SUN: departs shrub hill hourly

From Foregate St Railway Station to the Bus Station
Either take a short bus ride to the bus station:
service 32/303 (Kempsey/Claines)
Foregate St Railway Station —> Bus station (3 mins)
MON-SAT: departs Foregate St. every 20 mins
SUN: no service.
Or walk to the bus station (5 mins)
Turn left out of Foregate St. station (signed "city centre"), follow the road & go straight over the next junction. Then take the first right hand turning where you enter the pedestrianised area. This is Angel St. & you should continue in a straight line and into the bus station.

From the Bus Station to the University
You need to catch a No.31 bus (Henwick Park / Royal Hospital) which leaves from bay "A" at the very end of the bus station. The No.31 service stops at the Oldbury Road entrance to the University.
Mon – Sat every 10-15 minutes during the day & every 30 minutes after 6pm.
Sundays – an hourly service is in operation.
The University is a request stop & you'll have to ask the driver to tell you if you don't know where to get off!

Full local bus timetable at: worcesterbus.co.uk

Taxis

The following local taxi firms have been recommended by the University:
Associated Taxis 01905 763939
Blue Star 01905 610022
Brookside 01905 429833
City Taxis 01905 726726

Car Share

Someone came up with an idea which I like: sharing your car wth other people travelling to BiCon. We'll do this here: BiCon Livejournal because the forum already exists. It might clog things up, but that's a small price to pay for demonstrating our community spirit and (going a small way to) saving the planet in the process.

It works both ways. If you have space in your car, post "car share from x-town offered" If you'd like a lift, post "car share from x-town wanted". Just reply at the bottom of the thread. You'll have to join LiveJournal to initiate a thread, but it's innocuous enough to not worry about.

Incidentally I have to admit that I (Martin) won't be offering any lifts since the "Black Beast" will be packed to the gunnels (if it has any) with BiCon paraphernalia. Sorry.

Disclaimer

All the information on this page is given in good faith & BiCon cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions contained herein. You are advised to confirm travel details with the companies concerned before embarking on your journey.