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The City Hall

The Castle, BT20 4BT

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Access Guide

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Overview

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located through to the rear right from the accessible entrance, and then on the left.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male standard toilet facilities are located through to the rear right from the accessible entrance, and then up the stairs.
    • The female standard toilet facilities are located through to the right from the accessible entrance, and down the stairs beyond reception.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the male and female standard toilets.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the front of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 245cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 45m from the accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a public car park located off Abbey Street.
    • The name of the car park is Abbey Street East.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.

Entrance (Accessible)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, to the left.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with a handrail that switches sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 6 steps with a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail extends horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 123cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 81cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 90cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located through to the right from the accessible entrance, near the main entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 35m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has manual doors, doors permanently held open and automatic doors.
  • There is step-free level access to the reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 109cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 72cm.
  • The reception has windows, glazed screens and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is background noise in this area.
  • The flooring consists of deep pile carpet which is patterned.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.

Reception (Registry Office)

  • The reception is located through to the rear right from the accessible entrance, and then on the left.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 40m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has manual doors and automatic doors.
  • There is step-free level access to the reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 73cm.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system on request.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: desks.
  • The tables are fixed.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors, doors permanently held open and automatic doors.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of walkways.
  • There may be background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is not consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Stairs (Basement - Female Toilets)

  • The stairs surveyed are located through to the right from the accessible entrance, then through to the rear of reception.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • Ground and basement floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 19 steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have a handrail on the left going down.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located through to the rear right from the accessible entrance, and then on the left.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 30m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a medium visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 92cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 149cm (width) x 232cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 81cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 90cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 83cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
    • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 181cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Outdoor Spaces

  • The following is available in this area: woodland and formal gardens.
  • Outdoor areas consist of block paving and gravel.
  • There are footpaths throughout.
  • The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the garden areas from the front of the building, which can be reached step-free via the rear of the building.
  • There are some seats situated along the paths for people to rest.