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Alston Observatory

University of Central Lancashire, Longridge, Lancashire, Preston, PR3 3BP

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Access Guide

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Summary

  • Building View
    • Services / Facilities within the building include; the observatory.
    • Services / Facilities within the grounds include; the observatory buildings and viewing points.
  • Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located within the main building.
    • Female standard toilet facilities are located within the main building.
    • Male standard toilet facilities are located within the main building.

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, staff permit holders and student permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located in front of the building.
    • 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 2 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 238cm x 500cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The marked zone is 120cm 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 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not 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 (Alston Observatory Main Building)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to foyer of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Alston Observatory'.
    • There is step-free 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.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.

Outside Access (MHT Building)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'MHT Building'.
    • There is stepped 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.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located just inside the entrance.
    • There is/are 2 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Inside Access (MHT Building)

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is not step-free access throughout the area.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl.
    • There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Audio View
    • This area does not play background music/sound.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is just one room within this building.

Outside Access (Wilfred Hall Observatory)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Wilfred Hall Observatory'.
    • There is ramped/sloped 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.
    • 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 84cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the approach 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.

Inside Access (Wilfred Hall Observatory)

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is step-free access throughout the area.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl.
    • There is some flooring 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.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music/sound.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is just one room in this building.

Inside Access (Alston Observatory)

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is step-free access throughout the building.
    • The type of flooring is carpet.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music/sound.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Alston Observatory)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right as you enter the Alston Observatory.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main 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 signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 77cm.
    • 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 fair.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 198cm x 275cm (6ft 6in x 9ft).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 135cm from floor level.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by storage items.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the left.
    • There is not 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 poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is not an emergency alarm.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are general waste (with no lid) and pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 175cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is not a toilet roll holder.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • 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 107cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 99cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is poor.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 97cm (3ft 2in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.

Standard Toilet(s) (Alston)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located to the right as you enter.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 9m from the main entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are low to moderate.