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Balmaha Visitor Centre

Balmaha, Stirling, Glasgow, G63 0JQ

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • The visitor centre is based in the village of Balmaha, one of the most popular locations in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Set on the east side of the iconic Loch Lomond and at the foot of Conic Hill on the famous West Highland Way, it offers access to stunning woodlands, water and mountains.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: Blue Badge and EV parking, standard and accessible toilets (chargeable), information and educational facilities.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via a very easy ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible entrance is also the main entrance.
    • There is 1 other entrance.
    • There is step-free access via ramp at the other entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • There are no doors along circulation routes.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • Seating is available.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: Braille (on request) and large print (on request).
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • Staff receive the following training: Equality and Diversity Training.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located to the right side after entering.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • There is a small charge to use the toilets.
    • There is a barrier at the entrance to the standard toilets and the baby change room.
    • The barrier has an opening width of 61cm.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located to the right side after entering.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located to the right side, after entering.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the venue and shared with, and managed by, the council.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • There is a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 100cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 8m from the entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • This route has uneven surfaces.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders but not all users.
    • There are 2 separate Blue Badge parking areas.
    • There is a parking pay station in front of the entrance.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
    • There are 2 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 240cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • The controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Payment can be made with a credit/debit card (contactless).
    • The coach parking and drop-off point is located in front of the building.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the venue.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The width of the opening is 88cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There are fixed barriers at the entrance.
  • The maximum width between them is 170cm.

Reception and Information Area

  • Location View
    • The reception is located ahead after entering.
    • The distance from the entrance is 6m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 75cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has a television and windows which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • Lighting levels vary due to there being different types of lights in the space.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.

AV and Event Room

  • The room is located behind the reception desk.
  • The distance from the entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There are double manual doors.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The doors are easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 144cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: tables.
  • None of the tables are fixed.
  • The surface height of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles.
  • There may be background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • There is an external fire door to the rear of the seating and activity area.
  • This door has an opening width of 75cm.

Parent and Baby Change Room

  • The room is located to the right side after entering, beyond the barriers.
  • The distance from the entrance is 11m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • This route has narrow openings.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a barrier at the entrance to the standard toilets and the baby change room.
  • The barrier has an opening width of 61cm.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 77cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
  • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 72cm.
  • There is also a toilet, a wash basin, a hand dryer and a mirror in the room.
  • The wash basin has a push tap.
  • The room has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is an additional infant toilet in this facility.
  • The infant toilet has a height of 32cm with push button flush.
  • There is a hand dryer at a height of 100cm.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right side after entering, before the barriers.
    • The distance from the entrance is 8m.
  • 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.
    • This route has uneven surfaces.
  • 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 medium colour contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 80cm.
    • 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 medium colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 163cm (width) x 210cm (depth).
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 117cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low 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 85cm 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 71cm 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 wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 90cm from the floor.
    • 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 100cm 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 and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Exit

  • The exit area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide.
  • There are no handrails for the ramp.
  • There is a single automatic door, which is push pad activated.
  • The height of the push pad is 100cm.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 86cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • This exit leads to the rear seating and activity area.

Outside Seating and Activity Area

  • Location and Access View
    • This area is located outside the main building, but is covered.
    • The most accessible route has a slight ramp.
    • There is an automatic door, which is push pad activated, along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access to this area.
    • There is external access to this area from the playpark and parking area.
    • The external route has pathways with steep slopes and uneven surfaces.
  • Seating Area View
    • The seating area is covered.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
    • Seating is fixed.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.