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Portaferry-Bank House/Minaki

Queen's University Marine Laboratory, 12-13 The Strand, Portaferry, Newtownards, BT22 1PF

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Access Guide

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Introduction

Opening Times

  • Please contact the venue for details of opening times.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The Portaferry Campus is located on The Strand opposite the Portaferry to Strangford Vehicle Ferry. From Newtownards you follow the A20 south towards Mount Stewart/Portaferry, as you reach Mount Stewart continue on A20 through Greyabbey and Kircubbin until you reach Portaferry. As you enter Portaferry follow the signs to the Portaferry/Strangeford Ferry as you progress through the town centre. You will come to the Strand with the car ferry opposite. The Portaferry Campus is on your right opposite the car ferry. The distance travelled on the route is 20.9 miles
    • The property has parking at the front of the building for 4+ cars with 1 Blue Badge bay to the rear of the building.
  • By Bus View
    • The nearest bus stop is on the Square in Portaferry Town Centre. This bus stop is a short distance from the Portaferry Campus at 0.2miles. From this bus stop you can get the number 510 or 10 towards either Belfast or the number 9,10 and 10b towards Newtownards.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest railway station is at Bangor 22.9 miles away. From Newry railway station you can get direct trains to Belfast, Dublin, Portadown, Newry and Lisburn on Translink Northern Ireland.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by staff, students and visitors.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located in front of the building with the accessible parking space next to accessible entrance.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • There is/are 1 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 360cm x 490cm (11ft 10in x 16ft 1in).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are uneven surfaces.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is concrete.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • 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 opposite the standard parking bays and Strangeford Loch.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • A key code is required for access at this entrance.
    • The card reader/lock is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 108cm (3ft 7in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm (2ft 8in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 6 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • If this entrance is locked or you do not know the code please use the accessible entrance to the rear of the building.

Outside Access (Side Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building on the far right.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • A key code is required for access at this entrance.
    • The card reader/lock is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single (with a locked extension leaf).
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm (2ft 8in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 8 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • If this entrance is locked or you do not know the code please use the accessible entrance to the rear of the building.

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building next to the Blue Badge parking bay.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 92cm (3ft).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.

Reception (Main Reception)

  • The QML Office is located to the left as you enter from the main entrance on the ground floor.
  • The desk is 37m (40yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
  • Clear signage for the reception area is not visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are varied.
  • The reception desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • There is a single door leading to reception from the main entrance corridor, this is on the left as you enter from the main entrance. This door is 96cm in width, heavy and push to open.
    • The reception has a waiting area opposite the desk, which has chairs with armrest available and a table with some reading materials.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the ground floor.
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is not clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is no directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors (Main Entrance Corridor)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1 and 2.
    • The stairs are located in the corridor opposite the main entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 35m from the accessible entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • There is a landing.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are laboratories, offices and standard toilets.

Other Floors (Side Entrance Corridor)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1 and 2.
    • The stairs are located opposite the side entrance in the corridor.
    • The stairs are approximately 28m from the accessible entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • There is a landing.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are laboratories, offices and standard toilets.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is written text, pictorial and tactile signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located in the corridor on your right as you enter from the side entrance.
    • 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 inwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 285cm x 365cm (9ft 4in x 11ft 12in).
    • There is a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • 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 pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and general domestic waste 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 both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (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 not a towel dispenser.
    • 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 colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located within the accessible toilet.
  • There is level access to the services from the shower facilities.
  • Comments View
    • The shower has a single door to enter which is 65cm in width, heavy and you pull to open.
    • There is a lip to as you enter the shower which can be seen in photograph 4. This lip is 5cm in height.
    • There is a fold up seat measuring 41cm in height in the shower.
    • The shower hose can be adjusted in height by using the lever on the side.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the second floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the second floor at the end of the corridor as you enter the engineering section.
    • There is a female standard toilet in the same location.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 38m from the accessible entrance.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.