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Mills Observatory

Glamis Road, Balgay Park, Dundee, DD2 2UB

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Access Guide

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Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the city.
  • This venue is situated in Dundee.
  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest mainline station is Dundee.

Opening Hours

Opening Times (April - September)

  • Opening times do vary depending on timetabling.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • The car park is located at the front of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
    • There is/are 2 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 240cm x 490cm (7ft 10in x 16ft 1in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 25m (27yd 1ft) 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 slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • 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)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • There is a bell/buzzer.
  • The height of the bell/buzzer is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • There is not an intercom.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The door(s) is / are light.
  • The width of the door opening is 138cm (4ft 6in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 83cm (2ft 9in).
  • Comments View
    • There are similar second doors to the left or right here.

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp or slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
  • 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 directly in front of the entrance.
  • There is/are 4 step(s) to the area/service.
  • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is/are not 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.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 7m (7yd 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 does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a portable loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are not trained to use the system.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Museum

  • Exhibits cannot be audio described.
  • Tactile signage for exhibits is not available.
  • The availability of tactile signage does not depend on exhibition.
  • Braille signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Touch tours are not available.
  • Video tours are available.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system is a portable loop.
  • Staff are not trained to use the hearing assistance system.
  • A deposit is not required for the hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
  • There is not a wheelchair to borrow.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the balcony and telescope.
  • Comments View
    • Although upper floors are not accessible a line feed can be set up to view the telescope from the ground floor.

Entrance (First Floor Balcony)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the first floor.
  • Entrance View
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 81cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in the doorway.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right as you enter.
    • 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 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 260cm x 215cm (8ft 6in x 7ft 1in).
    • 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 170cm (5ft 7in).
    • 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 open waste paper bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not 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 the right.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf has the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 115cm.
    • The shelf is not located where it is reachable.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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 can 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 medium colour contrast between the external door and wall.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 95cm (3ft 1in).

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are not available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.