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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.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • 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 not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • 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.

Outside Access (Direct Exit from Garden Grounds to Car Park)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right of the visitor centre building.
    • This entrance gives access to the car park.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'EXIT THIS WAY - We look forward to seeing you again soon'.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • There is a push pad/button to exit the main automatic doors.
    • The exit push pad or push button is 102cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 138cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • 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.

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.

Toilet with Adaptations (Garden Grounds - Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located The accessible toilet is located at the far end of the garden grounds, to the left of the large red brick building.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 364m (398yd 3in) from the entrance into the grounds from the visitor centre.
    • 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 visual contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 96cm (3ft 2in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The visual contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is medium.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 171cm x 273cm (5ft 7in x 8ft 11in).
    • 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 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 high.
    • 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 high.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is medium.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are nappy/incontinence items bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is not a mirror.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat visual contrast is high.
    • 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 medium.
    • 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).
    • The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • 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 high.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • There is a handheld soap dispenser available.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 88cm.
    • 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 113cm (3ft 8in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a flip down baby change table available.
    • The height of the baby change table is 103cm.

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

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located The accessible toilet is located at the far end of the garden grounds, to the left of the large red brick building.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 362m from the entrance into grounds from visitor centre.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is medium.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • 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 varied.