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Ness Botanical Gardens

University of Liverpool, Neston Road, Ness, Cheshire, CH64 4AY

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Access Guide

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Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the town.
  • This venue is situated in Neston.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest mainline station is Neston.

Opening Hours

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located in front of the venue.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • There is/are 10+ Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 370cm x 500cm (12ft 2in x 16ft 5in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 17m (18yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 50m (54yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 110cm.

Outside Access (Garden Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are bright.

Level Change (Conference Rooms and Female Toilets)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located to the rear of the venue.
  • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located to the rear of the venue.
  • There is/are 3 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are shallow (2cm - 10cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

Eating and Drinking (Botanic Kitchen at Ness)

  • The following information is for the café.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 68cm (2ft 3in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 73cm (2ft 5in).
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.

Level Change (Conference Room)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located leading to the conference room.
  • There is/are 6 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • There is a lift to access this area/service.
  • The lift does bypass the step(s).

Lift (Conference Room)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located leading to the conference room.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, LG.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the lift lobby on the ground floor.
  • The lift is approximately 35m (38yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 98cm (3ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 118cm x 146cm (3ft 10in x 4ft 9in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Parks and Gardens

  • The park or garden does have footpaths.
  • The path(s) has a / have compact earth, tarmac, concrete and gravel surface(s).
  • The majority of the path(s) is / are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There are steep and slight slopes on the paths.
  • There are bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.

Changing Places (Main Building)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located in the toilet block, ground floor of the main building.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • There is a sign at the entrance to the Changing Places facility indicating the location of the nearest toilets and baby changing facilities.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 25m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • A RADAR key is required for access to this facility.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 105cm.
    • The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 400cm (width) x 305cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
  • Toilet Details View
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 85cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 275cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the right transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There are dropdown grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is located on the dropdown rail.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is wall mounted and height adjustable.
    • The length of the changing bench is 180cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses the changing bench and the toilet.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is an adjustable shower head.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • There are no grab rails for the shower.
    • There are no dropdown rails for the shower.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a height adjustable wash basin.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wash basin mounted soap dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is available.
    • The wide paper roll dispenser is 90cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 90cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a long mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 94cm and 177cm from the floor.
    • A privacy screen is available.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer - Main Building)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the toilet block, ground floor of the main building.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 25m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 78cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 150cm (width) x 265cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on top of the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 41cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 93cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 90cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 120cm and 176cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 74cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Standard Toilet(s) (Main Building)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the rear of the venue.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 30m (98.43ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels in the female toilets are good.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the rear of the venue.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 22m (72.18ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels in the male toilets are good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in the Toilet with Adaptations.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 74cm (2ft 5.13in).
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.

Standard Toilet(s) (Gardens)

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer - Gardens)

  • Location and Access View
    • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is located in the garden grounds.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 96cm (3ft 1.8in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 175cm x 260cm (5ft 8.9in x 8ft 6.36in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 107cm (3ft 6.13in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 6.5in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high visual contrast between the external door and wall.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are available in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • Comments View
    • Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow from reception.
    • A large print welcome leaflet is available.