Overview

I arrived at Platform 4 on the 09:11 from Glasgow Queen Street for a wander around the city, to review accessibility at some key locations. I booked assistance ahead of time using the Passenger Assistance app, and the platform staff were expecting me. I was helped off the train by the Mobility Assistance team at the station who were happy to give me a rundown of the station and highlight that they have a changing places toilet. A stone’s throw from the V&A Museum and Dundee City Centre, it’s well-appointed in the heart of the city. Whether you're coming or going, this small station has everything you need.

Transport & Parking

The station has a local council-operated short-stay car park, accessed via Greenmarket, which has 2 accessible parking spaces and 34 standard spaces. To the rear of the station is the Yeaman Shore car park, which is council-operated, which has 7 accessible spaces, and 118 standard spaces. There's a bus stop immediately outside on South Union Street, and taxis pick up at Riverside Drive. This is best accessed via the lifts at Platform 1, otherwise it's a trek from the main entrance. It's also possible to book one of the local private hire companies to pick up from this area. Travelling by train, I exited via the front to do so, you need to take the lift up to the entrance, or the escalator if you're able.

Access

The access at the station is good overall, with smooth paving on approach and into the station. The platforms are level, with step-free access via the lifts. The lifts are long but wide enough to turn a powerchair. The buttons inside and out are large, illuminated with braille on each. An induction loop operates in the lifts on the platform and at the ticket office. The signage was mostly clear, though it wasn't apparent where the Changing Places toilet was. It’s worth noting that you need to go through the barriers to use this toilet, which would generally require a ticket. The platform entry has two extra-large gates on either side for those who need them. The station has two Cafes, a Costa Coffee which is accessible from two sides at the platforms and a Coffee House kiosk with some seating, located at the platform exit close to the lifts and escalators. Taking the lift up to the main entrance, you'll find a Tesco Express on your left just past the ticket office - unlike many other businesses operating in transport locations there is no mark-up on price, so it's a good place to stock up before your trip, or to grab a sneaky meal deal. The ticket office has low counters, which makes them suitable for wheelchair users, but there are no walking stick holders. There are several self service ticket machines, which can be operated from a seated position. The passenger assistance point is also in this area, signified by a blue sandwich board next to some seats. There's also a piano, if you fancy playing a wee tune while you wait.

Toilets

I saw two accessible toilets in the station, one of which is a Changing Places toilet. The Changing Places toilet is located on Platform 4, close to Costa Coffee. The key is available from an office on the platform, and the door, which opens inward, needs to be opened by the station staff. The toilet can be locked from the inside by lifting a lever. As this is a Changing Places toilet, the room is large and could accommodate several people. This toilet has a large changing table, a ceiling track hoist and a nearby shower. There's a hygienic paper towel/couch roll dispenser on the wall. The sink is adjustable, rising and falling with the touch of a lever, and features a large mirror with wall-mounted grabrails on either side. The taps have long handles. The toilet seat is low, allowing for easier transfer from a wheelchair, the flush is on the cistern and there are static and adjustable grabrails on either side. The placement of some bins means that only a left-side transfer is possible. There's a red cord to the left of the toilet seat when seated, which touched the floor, there's a second red cord on the left of the mirror, which reached the floor but was partly obstructed by a waste bin. There is a wall-mounted hand dryer, paper towel dispenser, and soap dispenser, all of which can be reached from sitting height. There are several waste bins and sanitary waste bins, possibly too many! The other accessible toilet is in the waiting area between island Platforms 2 and 3 and Platform 4. This toilet is small, and the access is up a steep wooden ramp. On either side of this area, you'll find the standard toilets. Access to the accessible toilet, which has an outward opening door, is gained by pressing the touchpad, though this didn't initially work for me. There is a touchpad and a door lock button inside the toilet. The lock button had been pressed, meaning the touchpad didn't open the door from the outside as it considered the door "locked", this meant I had to manually open the door. On the way out, the door opened as I pressed the touchpad, with the lock button deactivated. The toilet is small and can only accommodate a single carer if needed. There is a single grab rail to the left of the toilet. A right-side transfer is possible, but the area is obstructed by a sanitary bin, making it difficult. The toilet also features a standard height sink, with grabrails on either side and a large mirror. The hand dryer, soap, toilet roll, and paper towel dispensers are all wall-mounted and can be reached from a seated position. The red cord reaches the floor but is partly obstructed by a bin. In both instances, the toilets were clean. The ScotRail website mentions National Key Scheme (Radar Key) toilets at the station, but I didn't see a toilet with a radar lock.

Staff

The staff at the station were helpful, they were quick to tell me about the accessibility features of the station. The station manager told me of the accessible toilets and the changing place toilet and was happy to answer any questions I had. I didn't book assistance for my return trip, as I didn't know when I'd be leaving but I showed up a little while before my train home and they sorted out the assistance quickly.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

There is a surprising number of facilities in this small station. The placement of the bins in the accessible toilets should be given some attention, it's great that the red cords hung freely but being partly blocked by bins could make them difficult to use in an emergency. A radar lock at the Changing Places toilet would be a sensible addition, as it allows a bit more autonomy.

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