Access Statement for Leighton Moss Nature Reserve - RSPB

This access statement does not contain personal
opinions as to our suitability for those with access
needs, but aims to accurately describe the facilities
and services that we offer all our guests/visitors.
Access Statement for Leighton Moss Nature Reserve
Introduction
RSPB Leighton Moss is near the coast with the main part of the
reserve situated inland. The visitor centre, toilets, reception and
shop are on the ground floor on one level. The cafe can be reached
by stairs and a stair lift. A manually pushed wheelchair is provided on
this floor.
The main part of the reserve offers walking routes through woodland
with 5 viewing hides from which to see the wonderful views and
observe the wildlife. Two of the nearer hides have large glass viewing
areas with removable seats. Seats are provided along the paths.
The extended site has gravel paths leading to two hides.
We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require
any assistance please phone 01524701601 or email
leighton.moss@rspb.org.uk.
Further information is available on our website
www.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss
Pre-Arrival
For a map and directions of how to reach us please see the
‘How to get here’ section on our website, which has a link for
sat navs. Alternatively, you can plan your journey by public
transport.The Silverdale shuttle bus meets the trains and
provides a shuttle service between Silverdale Railway Station
and Silverdale Village. There is a limited service from
Lancaster, Carnforth and Kendal to the reserve. Please contact
the reserve for a copy of 'Visiting Leighton Moss nature reserve
by public transport'. Please telephone the national public
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transport traveline on, 0871 200 22 33, or visit
www.lancashire.gov.uk. Our postcode is LA5 0SW
Please visit our website for directions by road. If you have a
satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see
our POI page for a download link and instructions.
The main road outside the reserve has no pavement and is
uneven in places with a gradual incline.
An easy to read map and clear print guide are available.
The Visitor Centre is open 9.30am-5pm daily, 4.30 from
December to end January except Christmas Day. The nature
trail is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
We welcome registered assistance dogs (please do not be
offended if we ask for evidence of registration).
Car Parking Facilities and Arrival
8 Blue Badge spaces are available close to from the Visitor
Centre entrance.
The main car park is situated across the road from the main
entrance. Bicycle racks are available. The main visitor centre
car park has no height restriction but Allen and Eric Morecambe
pools car par has a two metre height restriction.
Parking and access to the reserve is free to RSPB Members
but there is a charge to visit the reserve for non-members.
The car park surface is hard surfacing similar to the paths. The
car park is not lit at night. There are two entrances leading to
the Visitor Centre:
Visitor Centre
The main entrance and reception area is situated on the ground
floor with step free, level entry. There is step free, level access
throughout the ground floor. The floor surface is non-slip tiles.
There are seats available from the reception.
A section of the service counter that can be lowered. The area
is evenly and well lit with overhead lighting from halogen
spotlights.
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A magnifying glass, pen and pad of paper are available at the
counter.
Staff can give assistance and read out any literature if required.
Manual push wheelchairs can be borrowed (free of charge) for
use on the reserve.
Binoculars are available for hire (£2.50 for the day).
Two interactive information screens situated in the main
welcome area and the information area at the rear exit. Large
print information displays are around the visitor centre which
can be clearly viewed from a seated/child’s eye position.
Two large screens situated in the Cafe which beam back live
pictures of the wider reserve.
Events and activities are held throughout the year: please ask
staff for more details including accessibility.
Nature Trails
The reserve has a mix of different types of paths that are both
flat and undulating where walks can be enjoyed. All trails are
signposted.
There is a bird-feeding station 54m from visitor centre, down
1:15 and 1:40 gradients with an adverse camber; the path is
surfaced with compacted gravel/rolled stone. From the feeding
station to Lilian's hide is 100m, initially down a 1:20 slope,
leveling and then another 1:20 slope to the hide entrance; the
path is surfaced with compacted gravel/rolled stone.
From Lilian's hide to the new Tim Jackson's hide is 535 m.
From Lilian's hide to Griesdale hide is 735 m; the path is
surfaced with compacted gravel/rolled stone, and narrows to
one metre in places. From Lilian's hide to Public hide is 1,000
m; the path is undulating, rolled stone with two non-wheelchair
accessible kissing gates; it has a steep gradient of 1:10 along
some of its length. There is a 100 m stretch along the public
highway.
The final approach to the hide is along a public causeway of
rough, rolled stone with a 1:10 slope. Visitors with limited
mobility can drive to the start of the public causeway. From
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Public hide to Lower hide is 820 m; the path is surfaced with
compacted mud and stone; it is narrow in places and
accessible to semi-ambulant visitors.
There is enough space along most routes for a wheelchair with
passing bays. The path leading to the causeway and public
hide is restricted by kissing gates. the access can be gained by
careful use of the road. The lower trail has a gate at one end.
The salt mash trails have a kissing gate with a field gate to
allow access for wheelchairs.
There are viewpoints along each of the trails with hides on all
the trails. The time between these varies from 10 to 15 minutes
approx.
A variety of seating is available along the trails. On the main
sites there are traditional benches with arms and more rustic
seating on the path to the causeway no arms, others are
perching seats on the salt marsh trail.
Information boards giving details of the wildlife to be found are
available along the trails. These vary in size but all have large
print and illustrations. All information boards can be read from a
child’s eye/seated position.
Staff are always on hand to help with information, occasionaly
there will be a guide in the hide to help with identification of the
wildlife on site.
A map of the trails, with accessible routes shown, is available at
the reception desk or alternatively can be downloaded from
www.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss
Viewing Facilities
Seven bird hides and several open viewing places are provided
The doors to all hides are 79cm wide, opened with a lever
handle, except Allen hide which has a twist knob.
Lillians hide is a large family oriented hide with a mixture of
seating, all movable. There are benches and chairs with
cushioned seats, the chairs are within the large bay with no
castors.
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There are some lower windows that are fixed within the bay
area, offering maximum viewing opportunities. Windows that
are on a hinge to enable them to be lifted and fixed up with a
catch, these can be heavy. There is a ramp up to the hide as
well as steps.
The Tim Jackson and Grisedale hides hide have ramps with
turning circles for wheelchair users and alternative ramp,
gradient 1 in 12 with double handrails either side to the viewing
area.
Griesdale hide has wooden flaps covering the viewing slots
inside this hide which lift up. These are fairly heavy to lift and
are opened and closed using a latch. Tim Jackson hide is new
with larger window areas the top windows are fixed with smaller
windows below which drop down outwards onto a bracket.
there are 4 lower viewing areas and a bay area with large fixed
windows. The bay gives better turning room for wheelchair
users. There are movable benches in both hides.
Public hide is a large hide with lifting windows that are on a
hinge and fixed with a catch, these can be heavy. the entrance
has a wheelchair access and is on a level.
Lower hide is situated further away from the main centre and is
approached by a narrow path with a kissing gate the hide has
lifting windows that are on a hinge to enable them to be lifted
and fixed up with a catch, these can be heavy.
There is a viewing screen 54m from the visitor centre with
various heights of open slats to allow easier viewing.
Public Toilets
Public toilets are located on the ground floor of the Visitor
Centre with level access to them.
These toilets have a unisex accessible toilet, open hours and
described below:
o
o
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A light, easy open door 900mm/35.5ins wide.
980mm/38.5ins transfer space to the left of the toilet,
when facing the toilet.
Toilet height is 400mm/15.7ins.
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o
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Vertical rails either side of both basin and toilet.
Horizontal rail on the side wall adjacent to the toilet.
Colour contrast with critical surfaces; handrails are blue
and toilet and washbasin are white.
An emergency alarm pull cord.
Well lit with automatic fluorescent tube overhead lighting.
Catering
•The café is situated on the first floor. There is the main flight of
16 stairs with handrails and a rear set of stairs with a stair lift to
this area. Staff are happy to bring any food/drinks down stairs
to be eaten outside or in the education room when available. .
Tables are well spaced apart, with a clear height from the floor
of 900mm/35ins, with a mixture of upright chairs without arms.
Lighting in all areas is natural daylight with overhead lighting
used.
The flooring is Lino.
Where possible all our food produce is locally sourced. Smaller
portions are available and we do our best to cater for any
dietary requirements; please contact us in advance to check
any specific requests you may have.
The café is self-service; however, staff can assist on request.
Large print menus are available. Specials of the day are shown
on a blackboard. All staff can assist by running through menus
with you.
Crockery is colour contrasted with the table where possible.
Large handled cutlery is available.
The nearest public toilet with an accessible WC is located on
the ground floor near the rear entrance from the café.
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Shop
A range of souvenirs and books binoculars and bird food can
be accessed directly from the main entrance/ticketing area of
the Visitor Centre.
There is level entry and no doors to enter the shop apart from
those at the main entrance (described previously).
There is step free, level access throughout.
The floor surface is non-slip tiles.
There is ample room within the shop for a large wheelchair or
pushchair to manoeuvre and turn.
The area is evenly and well lit with overhead lighting from
halogen ceiling and spotlights.
There is a promotional video usually playing with sound.
There are some tall book/gift racks and low display units
accessible from a seated position.
A magnifying glass, pen and pad of paper are available at the
counter.
Staff can provide assistance.
Education Centre / Classrooms
There are two classrooms with one situated on the ground floor
of the Visitor Centre with level entry from a corridor. The other
is situated outside 42m from the visitor centre it is a new
wooden building with good access and open views of the
reserve. There are no doors or windows.
the indoor classroom has easy to open manual doors,
850mm/33.46ins wide.
There is step free, level access throughout.
Furniture can be re-arranged giving ample room within both
classrooms for a large wheelchair to manoeuvre and turn.
The floor surface inside is short pile carpet the outdoor
classroom has wooden floors with non-slip coating.
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The area within the indoor classroom is evenly and well lit with
fluorescent tube overhead lighting. there is no lighting to the
outdoor classroom
There are large print information displays in the indoor
classroom that can be clearly viewed from a seated/child’s eye
position.
Picnic Area
There are 2 picnic areas, one is immediately next to the Visitor
Centre the other is approx. a 54m from the Visitor Centre.
There are 4 picnic tables and benches at the picnic area
nearest the centre (2 with space for a wheelchair user) and 2
tables at the other area (one with space for a wheelchair user).
Sandwiches and drinks are available from the café; however,
visitors are free to bring their own refreshments with them for
picnics.
Additional Information
All of our staff receive regular training that includes disability
awareness training.
A dog resting area is available at the rear of the Visitor Centre
with a water bowl available.
Clear signage that meets “RNIB See it Right” recommendations
is used throughout the reserve.
Future Plans
Funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund will improve site
facilities by 2015 including:
o
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A discovery area and sensory garden will replace the rear
car park.
Viewing platform with CCTV to enhance the visitor
experience.
New paths with circular walk.
New walkways to improve access
Replacement hides with improved viewing for all abilities
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o
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New delivery area to improve safety for the public.
Improved visitor access to site with clearer signage
approaching the reserve.
Contact Information
Address (Inc postcode): RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve Myers
Farm, Storrs Lane Silverdale, Carnforth, LA5
0SW
Telephone: 01524701601
Email:
Website:
Grid Reference:
Hours Of Operation:
leighton.moss@rspb.org.uk
www.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss
Grid reference: SD478750
The reserve and visitor centre are open daily
all year round (except 25 December). The
reserve is open from 9 am to dusk and the
visitor centre from 9.30 am-5 pm (4.30 pm
December-January inclusive).
Local Public Transport: http://www.transportdirect.info
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