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Overview

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• About View
  • This is a visitor centre that is home to the innovative and unique rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.
  • Facilities available in the venue include: meeting rooms, standard and accessible toilets, café, gift shop, outdoor activities, walking trails and boat trips.
  • View information on opening times
• Parking and Public Transport View
  • The venue has its own car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
  • There is a drop-off point.
  • The nearest train station is Falkirk.
  • For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
  • View information on getting here (opens new tab) .
• Getting In and Around View
  • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors and automatic doors.
  • The following facilities are available: a seat/chair, a manual wheelchair and a water bowl for assistance dogs.
  • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.
  • Staff receive the following training: Diversity and Inclusion Training.
• Toilet and Changing Facilities View
  • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
  • The toilet with adaptations is located in the Visitor Centre.
  • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located in the Visitor Centre and on the ground floor of the Newport Downey Building.
  • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the male and female toilets, in the Visitor Centre.

You are on Parking. Skip to the next section.

Parking

• The car park is located before the main entrance road, and consists of 4 areas.
• The car park is open air/surface.
• There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
• The Blue Badge bays are signposted but have no markings.
• The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a dropped kerb without tactile paving and uneven surfaces.
• This car park is for staff and visitors only.
• Parking is not free for all users.
• There is a limited number of car park spaces dedicated for Blue Badge holders, located right outside the entrance to the Visitor centre which are available on a first-come basis.
  Visitors collect a ticket upon entering and pay inside the Visitor Centre.
• There are 2 electric vehicle charging points.
• The charging points require an app.
• There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
• The venue has a drop-off point.

You are on Entrance. Skip to the next section.

Entrance

• This entrance is located in the centre of the venue.
• There is step-free level access at the entrance.
• There are double manual doors at this entrance.
• The doors open towards you.
• The width of the opening is 168cm.

You are on Ticketing. Skip to the next section.

Ticketing

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• Ticket Counter / Machines View
  • The ticket counter surveyed is located ahead and to the right after entering.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 99cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the counter, at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • This is also the checkout desk for the retail area.
  • There is a welcome host and greeting service at busy times to assist visitors.

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Shop (Retail Area)

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• Getting Around View
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Signage is provided.
  • There is background noise which varies depending on the time of day.
  • The checkout area is located at the main ticket desk.
  • There is step-free level access to the checkout area.

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Eating and Drinking (Café)

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• Location and Service View
  • The café is located to the left after the retail area.
  • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
  • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
  • Full table service is available on request only.
  • Menus are wall-mounted, available on a board and displayed on the counter.
  • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
  • The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
• Order and Payment View
  • The payment counter was surveyed.
  • The counter is located around the left side of the café.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 85cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • The height of the tray rail is 85cm.
• Seating Area View
  • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, benches and high stools.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and high tables.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.

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Seating Area (External Seating)

• The seating area is located on the Boardwalk, outside the Visitor Centre.
• The seating area is uncovered.
• The most accessible route to the seating area has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
• There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
• Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
• Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
• There may be background noise in this area.

You are on Toilet with Adaptations (Right hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right hand Transfer)

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• Location and Access View
  • The toilet surveyed is located in the Visitors Centre.
  • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
  • 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.
  • The width of the door opening is 99cm.
  • The door has a lever twist lock.
• Dimensions and Features View
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
  • The lateral transfer space is 90cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
  • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
  • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
  • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
  • There is a dropdown rail on the non-transfer side.
  • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
  • There is a toilet roll holder on the dropdown rail, a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser, a wall mounted towel dispenser and a hand towel available.
  • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
  • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
  • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
  • Additional features include: a mirror and a coat hook.

You are on Access To (The Wheel and Trossachs Meeting Rooms). Skip to the next section.

Access To (The Wheel and Trossachs Meeting Rooms)

• The Wheel and The Trossachs meeting rooms are located in the Newport Downey Building.
• The journey time from the main Visitor Centre to The Wheel and Trossachs Meeting Rooms is approximately 3 minutes.
• The most accessible route has step-free level access, a platform lift, uneven surfaces and manual doors.
• There is step-free level access into the Newport Downey Building.
• There are double manual doors which open away from you.
• The width of the opening is 168cm.

You are on Lift (The Wheel and Trossachs Meeting Rooms). Skip to the next section.

Lift (The Wheel and Trossachs Meeting Rooms)

• The lift surveyed is located in the Newport Downey Building.
• The journey time to this lift from the entrance is approximately 20 seconds.
• The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
• The Wheel and Trossachs Meeting Rooms are accessed by this lift.
• All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 90cm.
• All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.

You are on Stairs (The Wheel and Trossachs Meeting Rooms). Skip to the next section.

Stairs (The Wheel and Trossachs Meeting Rooms)

• The stairs surveyed are located ahead after entering, to the left of the lift.
• The Wheel and Trossachs Meeting Rooms can be accessed by these stairs.
• There are 16 steps between floors which are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.

You are on Room (Wheel Room). Skip to the next section.

Room (Wheel Room)

• The room is located opposite the main visitor centre, in the Newport Downey Building.
• The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access, a platform lift and manual doors.
• There is written text signage on or near the door.
• There is step-free level access into the room.
• There are double manual doors which open away from you.
• The width of the opening is 168cm.
• There is step-free level access throughout the room.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
• Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
• Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles.
• There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event .

You are on Room (Trossach Room). Skip to the next section.

Room (Trossach Room)

• The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access, a platform lift and manual doors.
• There is written text signage on or near the door.
• There is step-free level access into the room.
• There are double manual doors which opens away from you.
• The width of the opening is 168cm.
• There is step-free level access throughout the room.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
• Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
• Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles.
• There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event .

You are on Access To (The Boardwalk - Boat Trips). Skip to the next section.

Access To (The Boardwalk - Boat Trips)

• The Boardwalk is located in front of the Falkirk Wheel, and is the boarding and embarkation point for the boat trips.
• The journey time from ticket desk is approximately 1 minute.
• The most accessible route has step-free level access and automatic doors.
• There is step-free access via a portable ramp onto the boat.
• The ramp is under 75cm wide with handrails on both sides.
• There is a single manual gate which opens towards you.
• The width of the opening is 90cm.
• Visitors with pre-paid boat trip tickets can reach this area in a variety of ways, including by avoiding the Visitor Centre. The gates, ramps and doors are staffed at all times; and all visitors will have assistance boarding.

You are on Designated Seating (Boat Trips). Skip to the next section.

Designated Seating (Boat Trips)

• The designated seating area surveyed is located on the boat.
• There is step-free access via a portable ramp to the designated seating.
• The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
• Staff will assist with any access needs, including the portable ramp.
• There is a single manual door which opens by sliding.
• The width of the opening is 80cm.
• There are 4 designated spaces for wheelchair users.
• The view from this seating area is clear from obstructions.
• Companions sit next to you, behind you and in front of you.
• There is a member of staff available for assistance.
• There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
• Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.