What is a Radar Key?

A RADAR Key (sometimes called an NKS Key) is a large, silver-coloured skeleton key that opens more than 9,000 locked, disabled toilets in the UK.

The RADAR key is part of the National Key Scheme (NKS), giving thousands of people with disabilities and health conditions independent access to locked public toilets around the country.  The Radar Key Scheme enables these disabled toilets to be locked to prevent vandalism and misuse, while also being readily available to those who really need them.

Disabled people’s toilets have wide entrances and disability symbols on the door.  Unlike regular public toilets, disabled toilets are often locked and previously they were only available for use on request.  The Radar key scheme ensures that people who need to use accessible toilets don’t have to ask someone else to open the door for them.  Because disabled toilets are big, private and less likely to be occupied, they are open to misuse by the general public.  The Radar Key Scheme enables these disabled toilets to be locked, to prevent vandalism and misuse.

Where Can I buy a RADAR key?

RADAR keys can be purchased for £3.90 by visiting any of the Council’s Service Points which can be found at the following locations:

Rothesay Service Point, Eaglesham House, Mount Pleasant Road, Rothesay PA20 9HQ

Dunoon Service Point, 22 Hill Street, Dunoon, PA23 7AP

Islay Service Point, Jamieson Street, Bowmore, Isle of Islay, PA43 7HL

Campbeltown Service Point, Burnet Building, St John Street, Campbeltown, PA28 6BJ

Helensburgh Service Point, The Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre, 38 East Clyde Street, Helensburgh, G84 7PG

Mull Service Point, Breadalbane Street, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, PA75 6PX

Lochgilphead Service Point, 1A Manse Brae, Lochgilphead, PA31 8RD

Oban Service Point, Municipal Building, Albany Street, Oban, PA34 4AW

Tiree Service Point, The Business Centre, Crossapol, Isle of Tiree, PA77 6UP

Colonsay Service Point, Scalasaig, Isle of Colonsay, PA61 7YW

Jura Service Point, Schoolhouse, Craighouse, Isle of Jura PA60 7XG

Service points are open Monday to Friday from 9:00am – 12:30pm, and from 1:30pm to 4:00pm.  The exceptions to this are Colonsay which is open 9:30am – 12:30pm Monday to Friday; Jura which is open 10:00am – 1:00pm Monday to Friday; Tiree which is open 1:30pm – 4:00pm and Rothesay which is open 9:00am to 12:30pm.