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Ness Botanic Gardens - Grounds

The University of Liverpool, Neston Road, Ness , Cheshire, CH64 4AY

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Access Guide

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Summary

  • Building View
  • Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located within the grounds and visitor centre .
    • Female standard toilet facilities are located within the grounds and visitor centre.
    • Male standard toilet facilities are located within the grounds and visitor centre.
    • Baby changing facilities are located in the female toilet in the Car Park Toilet Block, and in the accessible toilet in the Grounds and Gardens Block.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by Blue Badge holders and anybody.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located in front of the visitor centre.
    • 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 10 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 246cm x 450cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The marked zone is 130cm wide.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 36m from the main 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 slopes/ramps.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is not a site/campus car park within approximately 200m.
  • 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.
    • This entrance gives access to the visitor centre reception area.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Welcome'.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the pathway leading to the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.

Reception (Visitor Centre)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located straight ahead beyond the main entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is not a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • The height of the reception counter is 95cm .
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a lowered section of the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section at the counter is 70cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
    • There is a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • Clipboards can be provided to anyone who is unable to use the desk.
    • There is a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing system is available only on request.
    • The hearing assistance system is signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
    • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
    • There is no wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is tiles.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is obstructed.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
  • Security Barriers View
    • There are security barriers at the reception.
    • The minimum width between the security barriers is 50cm.
    • The width of the wider security barriers is 90cm.
    • A key card is required to pass through the security barriers.
    • The height of the key card reader is 100cm.
  • Comments View
    • The security barriers give access the rear entrance which gives access to the grounds.

Outside Access (Rear Entrance - Ness Gardens Grounds)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located beyond the reception desk security barrier at the rear of the venue.
    • This entrance gives access to Ness garden grounds or reception area.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 97cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located beyond the entrance to access the grounds.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.

Gardens & Grounds

  • Beyond the rear entrance gives access to the gardens and grounds.
  • The pathways within the grounds have various levels and gradients.
  • The pathways have different surfaces within the park mainly tarmac and compacted gravel surfaces.
  • There are signposts giving directions to the various sections of the park.
  • Around the pathways are bench style seating.
  • Where there are steps in the grounds the pathway by pass the steps.

Ice Cream & Coffee Shop

  • The shop is located next to the garden grounds public toilets.
  • The pathway leading to the shop is compacted loose gravel chippings.
  • There is a slope 90cm wide with no handrails.
  • The slope by passes a step which is 18cm high.
  • There is a sliding combination door with the slave door being 90cm wide that opens towards you.
  • Was advised that this door is held open when shop open.
  • The counter is 98cm high.

Outside Access (Public Toilets - Garden Grounds)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located toilet block garden grounds.
    • This entrance gives access to public toilets.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the footpath leading to the access.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Toilet Block - Garden Grounds)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located The accessible toilet is located within the toilet block in the garden grounds.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the toilet entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 100cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 178cm x 276cm.
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 106cm.
    • The transfer space is obstructed by storage items.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and nappy/incontinence items bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • 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).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is fair.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 96cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 115cm (3ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is fair.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.

Standard Toilet(s) (Standard Toilets - Garden Grounds)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located in the public toilets within the garden grounds.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 1m from the toilet entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • There are horizontal wall mounted rails available on both sides of the toilet.
    • The ambulant toilet does not have vertical wall mounted grab rails.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
    • Lighting levels are good.

Outside Access (Car Park Public Toilets)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the font of the male and female toilets in the car park toilet block.
    • This entrance gives access to the male and female standard toilets.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'toilets'.
    • There is ramped/sloped and stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the pathway leading to the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the toilet block.
    • There is/are 2 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up the step(s).
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located in the car park toilet block.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 1m from the toilet entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are available in the female toilets.
    • There is a flip down baby change table available .
    • The height of the baby change table is 89cm.