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Acre Road Observatory

University of Glasgow, West of Scotland Science Park, Acre Road, Glasgow, G20 0TL

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include teaching laboratories, workshop, a planetarium, main dome housing a 14-inch solar telescope.
  • Services / facilities within the grounds include a remote turret housing a 16-inch rotating telescope, radio masts, satellite dishes, radio telescopes.

Getting Here (Acre Road Observatory (Garscube Campus East))

  • By Road View
    • The University of Glasgow Garscube Campus is located to the north west of Glasgow city centre. It is divided in two by the River Kelvin with West of Scotland Science Park to the east and Garscube Estate to the west.
      The Acre Road Observatory is located to the east of the campus.
      From Carlisle and the south, exit M74 on to the M73, joining the M8 at the Old Monkland junction. Take J16 A804 then A81 north toward Bearsden. The campus is about 4 miles north west. Acre Road is to the right off the A81 at the West of Scotland Science Park roundabout. Turn right into Acre Road. The observatory is 400m on the right.
      From the west, the Erskine Bridge and the Airport, from the M8, take J25 A739 for the Clyde Tunnel and continue north, via Anniesland. The campus is about 4 miles north. Continue past the campus to the Canniesburn Toll Roundabout and take the A81 south east about 1km to the West of Scotland Science Park roundabout and turn left into Acre Road. The observatory is 400m on the right.
      Other routes serving the University include the Great Western Road A82, about 1 mile south of the campus via the A739.
    • There is limited free parking at the Observatory and also on Acre Road.
  • By Bus View
    • Buchanan bus station is the main bus terminus in Glasgow for inter city coach services.
      First Group buses service 15 links the city centre and the main Gilmorehill Campus with the Garscube Campus. The Henderland Road stop on the A739 Switchback Road is the nearest stop to the west of the campus. Other services include the 118 and the SimpliCITY 6B.
      First Groups buses SimpliCITY services 60 and 60A links the city centre and the east side of the campus. The Science Park stop on the A81 Maryhill Road is closest. Other services include 17, A1, X10 and X10A.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station to the west side of the campus is Westerton to the west of the campus approximately 0.7 miles away (15-18 minutes) via Henderland Road. There is step free access throughout the station via lifts and ramp access for trains. There is an induction loop at the booking office.
      The nearest train station to the east of the campus is Maryhill approximately 0.7 miles away (15 - 18 minutes) via Maryhill Road to the Acre Road roundabout. There is ramped access to the platforms but no accessible ticket office or ticket machines. There is no ramped access for trains. There is an induction loop at the booking office.
  • 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 anybody.
    • 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 not available.
    • 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 car park surface is loose chippings.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are not available.
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Acre Road (unmarked parking to both sides of the road).
  • 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.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection 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 double.
    • The width of the door opening is 142cm (4ft 8in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 141cm (4ft 8in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
    • The width of the ramp is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • 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 2 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 not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.

Outside Access (Rear Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the main reception.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 135cm (4ft 5in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • 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 2 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 not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • These doors give access to/from the rear and the remote turret.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building.
    • There is/are 10+ unmarked step(s), with a handrail on the right going up, for access to the 16 inch telescope platform.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is no level access to the telescope platforms. These steps and stairs to access the remote telescope platform are seen in photographs 1 to 4).
    • There is/are 10+ unmarked step(s), with a handrail on the right going up, for access to the roof and the 14 inch solar telescope platform.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There are steps up to the roof, steps to a low door and a ladder within the dome to access the telescope platform (photographs 5 to 8). There is no level access to the telescope platforms. The ladder has no handrails.
    • There is/are 7 unmarked step(s), with no handrails, for access to the path to the remote turret.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is no level access to the telescope platforms.
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written 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 visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right as you enter the building.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 8m (8yd 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 written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The visual contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 161cm x 240cm (5ft 3in x 7ft 10in).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 98cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 low.
    • 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 visual contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary 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 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat visual contrast is low.
    • 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 visual contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The visual contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 76cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The visual contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is low.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The visual contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is low.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female toilet is located to the right as you enter the building.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 11m from the main entrance.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • 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 89cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The male toilet is located to the right as you enter in the rear corridor to the left.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 16m from the main entrance.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • 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 85cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There is a single unmarked medium step up to the urinals.

Emergency Evacuation Information