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National Waterways Museum

South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 4FW

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Access Guide

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Location

  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Ellesmere Port.

Opening Hours

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located at the front of the venue.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
    • There is/are 12 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 350cm x 610cm (11ft 6in x 20ft).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 48m (52yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 66m (72yd 6in) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does have tactile paving.
    • There is a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The road is generally quiet.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The maximum height is 210cm (6ft 11in).
  • 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 venue.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 190cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 200cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading to the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played in the cafe area.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Level Change (Inside Access)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located between builings.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.

Outside Access (Building 2 - Island Warehouse)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of building 2.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 190cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.

Other Floors (Building 2 - Island Warehouse)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G -1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Lift (Building 2 - Island warehouse)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in Building 2.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G and 1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 60m (65yd 1ft) from the Building 2 entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 108cm x 205cm (3ft 7in x 6ft 9in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Museum

  • Exhibits can be audio described.
  • Tactile signage for exhibits is available.
  • The availability of tactile signage depends on exhibition.
  • Braille signage for exhibits is available.
  • The availability of Braille signage depends on exhibition.
  • Touch tours are available.
  • The availability of touch tours depends on exhibition.
  • Video tours are available.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Concessions are available.
  • There is a wheelchair to borrow.
  • To borrow the wheelchair, please ask at reception.

Eating and Drinking (Waterside Café)

  • The following information is for the café.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the main entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 36cm (1ft 2in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 72cm (2ft 4in).
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
  • Comments View
    • Opening times for the café are;
    • Monday 10:00 - 17:00.
    • Tuesday 10:00 - 17:00.
    • Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00.
    • Thursday 10:00 - 17:00.
    • Friday 10:00 - 17:00.
    • Saturday 10:00 - 17:00.
    • Sunday 10:00 - 17:00.

Outside Access (Building 4 - Porter Row Cottages)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of building 4.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 206cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 65cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located beyond the double entrance doors and in front of the single entrance doors to the cottages.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not 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 single entrance doors.
    • There is/are 2 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Outside Access (Building 7 - Stables)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of building 7.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 95cm.

Walkways

  • There are easy, moderate and steep ramps/slopes around the grounds of the venue. Seating is available along the walkways.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the right as you enter.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are medium.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the left as you enter.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are medium.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located to the right as you enter.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 93cm (3ft 1in).
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
    • The accessible toilet is located to the left as you enter.
    • 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 and outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 180cm (5ft 7in x 5ft 11in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • 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 alarm.
    • 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 sanitary and non-infectious 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 placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (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 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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is also an accessible toilet within building 2.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are not available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service cannot be requested.
  • Home visits / services are not available.