Access Questionnaire

Please read the following notes before attempting the survey...
On arriving at the reserve please note the weather and anything else you feel might be relevant to the condition of the paths etc. When assessing Public Transport Links Include the distance to site from station or bus stop and the transport company's name and phone number.
When looking at traisl and paths see how long is the trail or path is overall? We are looking for your best estimate of length of trail or path and how long it takes to complete. Also include the number of trails and descriptions of each different trail where relevant, and if they are circular.
When noting paths, look at what surface they have and describe it - for example is it tarmac, grass, stone, timber, sand, loose gravel, woodchips, etc. We are looking for a surface that is compact and firm, stable, non slip and obstacle free so please indicate if the surface is any of the above. In many cases you will find loose stones and chippings; do these cover the whole surface and are the stones bigger than 10mm?
When judging steepness, an indication of whether a path is steep, flat or has a mild gradient will be useful. We also need to know the length of the incline. This is not easy so just do your best. We also need information about any incline across the width of the path or trail as these can pose difficulties, especially to wheelchair users. Again, an indication of the steepness and distance will be useful. Remember that Surface Breaks include grills, cattle grids and gaps in boards.
Assessing the suitability of a viewing point for a wheelchair users involves a lot of measuring - a tape measure would be a real help. If you have access to the Internet, you may find it helpful to visit the following web site to get a diagram of how an ideal hide should look: http://www.fieldfare.org.uk/fieldfare/bt/ check out "information sheets" and" birdwatching hides".
The "Condition & Non slip treatment" of boardwalks can include a wire/mesh covering or special paint treatment which should be visible.
The "Any other comments" section under "Hides" gives you the opportunity to list your overall impression of the hide - how comfortable it is, the height of the windows, seating etc. If you want to add further comments or information, please feel free and do so at the very end of the form or on a separate sheet - the more information you give us, the better the overall picture we have. Many thanks for taking the time to do this questionnaire.
 
Part One
Arriving at the Reserve:
1. Your Details:

Name:

Address:


Email:

Telephone
2. Reserve Details:
Name of Reserve:

Grid Reference [if known]:

Opeing Hours:

Public Transport Links:

What was the weather like during your visit?:

Are guidedogs allowed?:
3. Parking:
Parking for orange badge holders? (Extra wide spaces):

Are accessible spaces signposted?:

Parking charge? (any exemptions):

Are any Parking Machines at a suitable height?:

Is there a dropping off place?:

Is there parking for minibuses?:

Does The carpark have an even, firm and well drained surface?:
4. Management:
What is the Managing Authority?:

Is there a member of staff [Warden] who could give help and/or information on site if needed?:

If staffed: part time or full time?:

Contact details for Warden:
5. Toilets:
Are there disabled access toilets?:

Are they open at all times?:

If locked is there a RADAR key scheme?:
6. Visitor Centre:
Is there an accessible payphone?:

Is the centre accessible by wheelchair?:

Is there an Induction Loop?:

Is there information available for disabled visitors?:

Is there an information board or leaflets about the reserve?:
Part Two
Trails & Paths:
7. Path Length:
How long is the trail/path?:
8. Path Surface:
What sort of surface does the path have?:
9. Path Width:
Is any part of the path below 700mm wide?:

What proportion of the path is less than 1000mm wide?:

What proportion of path is at least 1200 mm wide:
10. Steepness of path or trail:
(please qualify with distances of steep sections)

Steep Slope:

Medium Gradient:

Shallow Gradient:
11. Cross slope of path or trail:
Length(s) of path with noticeable cross slope(s)
12. Surface breaks:
Number of breaks in the surface of the path more than 12 mm wide measured along the line of the path.

Location of breaks:
13. Barriers:
List number of barriers and whether they are passable:
14. Clear Walking Tunnel:

Is the path clear of overhanging branches etc. for a width of 1 meter and a height of 2.1 meters.
15. Distance between passing places
(if path less than 2 meters):

100 meters or less?:

Over 100 meters?:
16. Distance between resting places
(level area near to the path that is at least 1.2 meters to 1.5 meters with a seat or perch with room for a wheelchair):

Less than 300 meters:

More than 300 meters:
Part Three
Hides: (Please fill for each hide unless all are common design)
Name of Hide:
17. Is the path to/from the hide accessible?:
Is it level surface (or has a ramp), stable, firm/compact, non-slip and obstacle free?:
18. Hide Entrance:
Is the area/ platform outside the hide at least 1.5 x 2 meters?:

Is there a threshold or step?:
19. Hide door: Sliding?:
Opens Outwards?:

Opens Inwards?:

What is the width of the door?:
20. Hide Access for Wheelchair users:
Is there clear access (or moveable seats) to viewing points?:

Is the viewing point at least 900mm wide per person?:

Does each have knee space of at least 600mm deep x 680mm high? (is it angled ?):

Are viewing slots: shelf provided?:

What height are they?:

Is the bottom edge of window no more than 920 mm high?:

Does each window have at least a 380mm gap?:

Are viewings flap no wider than 1 meter?:

Can viewing flaps be split in half:?:

Are they light?:

Are the fasteners easy to grip and within reach of user?:
21. Hide Access for Other users: ·
Seating: Are the gaps between seats sufficient to allow easy entry and exit?:

Is the hide free of obstruction at ground level?:

Does any seating with backrest?:

Any other comments on Hides?:
Part Four
Boardwalks & Bridges:
22. Start of boardwalk:

Level with the ground (lip of up to 5 mm allowed)?:

Lip greater than 5 mm?:
23. Width:
Is it under 1.2 meters wide?:

Is it more than 1.2 meters wide?:

Is it at least 2 meters wide?:
24. Construction:
Are there boards at right angle to the direction of pedestrian flow?
25. Gaps:
Are there gaps between boards?:

If so are they more than 12mm wide?:
26. Rails:
Is there an edge board/rail to boardwalk?:

If yes, is the deck level edging at least 75 mm high?:

If rail present, is the bottom edge no more than 75 mm from boardwalk?:

Are handrails present at "risky" locations, where there are gradients, sharp turns, more elevated areas etc.?:
27. Condition of structure:
Are the boards in good condition?:

Is there any non-slip treatment?:

Are the boards stable and non-springy?:

Are the boards obstructed in any way?:
28. Passing places and rest points:
If the boardwalk is under 2 meters wide, are there sufficient passing places?:

On long boardwalks, any resting points? (seating and places for wheelchairs):

Further Comments:
Feel free to ad anything you feel would be of value to other visitors: