Access Guide
Overview
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About
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- Opened in 1939, the shelters were the largest purpose-built civilian air raid shelters in the country designed to provide shelter for up to 3,850 people - in 1996 the shelters were opened as a visitor attraction.
- Facilities available in the venue include: a gift shop, guided tours and visitor information.
- View information on opening times
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue does not have its own car park.
- There is on-street Blue Badge Bay parking, on-street standard parking, a public car park nearby and a taxi rank.
- The name of the nearest car park is Merseyway Shopping Centre.
- View information on Merseyway Shopping Centre (opens new tab) .
- The nearest train station is Stockport.
- The nearest bus station is Stockport Interchange.
- 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) .
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Getting In and Around
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- There is step-free access via ramp at the most accessible entrance.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
- Access throughout may include uneven surfaces and doors permanently held open.
- There are no toilet facilities.
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Getting Help and Assistance
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- There is seating available.
- There is no hearing assistance system.
- Documents are available in the following formats: audio.
- There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
- There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
- Staff receive the following training: Disability Awareness.
Entrance
- This entrance is located on Great Underbank.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
- The ramp has a steep gradient.
- The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
- There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked or bolted.
- The locked door can be opened on request.
- The door opens away from you.
- The door is easy to open.
- The width of the opening is 75cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The door has a low visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Ticketing
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Ticket Counter
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- The ticket counter surveyed is located ahead and to the left after entering.
- There is step-free level access to the counter.
- There is not a separate wheelchair accessible queue lane.
- The height of the counter is 91cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Shop
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Getting Around
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- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- The majority of main aisle widths are between 120cm - 150cm.
- The visual contrast between the shelving and floor varies between low and high.
- There is background noise.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
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Payment
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- The checkout area is located at the ticketing counter.
Access To (AV Room)
- The AV Room is the start of the self-guided tour and can be reached by steps from the shop area, or by a step-free route with assistance from staff.
- The distance from the shop and ticket counter (avoiding steps) is 30m.
- The most accessible route has steep ramps or slopes, uneven surfaces, manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
- The slope has a steep gradient with resting areas.
- The slope bypasses the steps.
- There is a single manual door which opens towards you.
- The door is easy to open.
- The width of the opening is 78cm.
- The door has a high visual contrast.
Room (AV Room)
- The room is located to the left side of the shop and ticket counter.
- The distance from the venue entrance, via the most accessible route is 30m.
- The most accessible route to the room has steep ramps or slopes, uneven surfaces and doors permanently held open.
- There is step-free level access into the room.
- There is step-free level access throughout the room.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- The flooring is shiny.
- The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles.
- There is background noise in this room.
- Announcements are in person.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
- The self guided and guided tours start in this room, there is an alternative route to the room for visitors in wheelchairs. The stepped entrance door has an opening width of 84cm and 6 steps.
Exhibition Space
- All exhibits are indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
- Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
- There is no (or very little) background noise.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
- Display information includes: information boards, audio guides and pictorial.
- Display information includes: audio guides, pictorial and information boards.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: benches.
- The seating is fixed.
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the tour.
- Access throughout the tour may include uneven surfaces, manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
- Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.
Exit
- The exit area is clearly signed.
- There is step-free access via slope at the exit.
- The slope has a slight gradient.
- There are double manual doors at this exit, however one door is locked or bolted.
- The locked door can be opened on request.
- The door is permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 74cm.
- The doors have a low visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you exit.