Access Guide
Related Access Guides (Introduction)
- To view other AccessAble Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- The Chester Bluecoat Charity - Main Building link (new tab) - click here.
- Carer's Trust link (new tab) - click here.
- Autism Hub link (new tab) - click here.
- Work Zone link (new tab) - click here.
- Vision Support link (new tab) - click here.
- Cheshire West Voluntary Action link (new tab) - click here.
- Chester Aid to the Homeless link (new tab) - click here.
Getting Here
- From the south, leave the A55 at junction 38 and follow the signs to Chester.
Cross the bridge and take the first exit on the large roundabout onto Nicholas Street.
Continue following this road until you reach another roundabout where you should take the third exit onto Northgate Street.
Follow the one-way system until it takes you back towards Northgate Street.
At this point the venue will be observed straight ahead and slightly to the left. From the north, leave the M56 at junction 12 and follow the A56 into Chester for approximately 2 miles.
When you reach a large roundabout take the third exit.
Carry on for a short distance until you reach another roundabout where you should take the first exit onto Northgate Street.
Follow the one-way system until it takes you back towards Northgate Street.
At this point the venue will be observed straight ahead and slightly to the left. - The venue has no parking of its own and there is no street parking available.
Delamere Street public car park is nearby. This is signposted and can be found on the aforementioned one-way system as you approach the venue.
Blue Badge parking is located at Hamilton Place, Chester, CH1 2BG. - For more information onhttps://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/parking-and-permits/chester-car-parks.aspx please click here (opens new tab).
- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
- The nearest bus stops are 50 to 90 metres away on Canal Street and George Street.
Between them they provide direct services to Blacon, Upton, Garden City, Flint and Liverpool. - For more information on fare and timetable details please click here (opens new tab).
- The nearest Railway Station is Chester.
- Chester Station is 0.7 miles away and provides direct services to Wrexham, Shrewsbury, Birmingham, Liverpool and the Wirral, Manchester, Leeds, London Euston and stations along the North Wales Coast.
- For more information on Chester Station please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on fare and timetable details please click here (opens new tab).
Public Parking
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Public Car Park
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- There is a car park for public use within approximately 200m (219yd).
- The public car park is located on Delamere Street.
- The name of the car park is Delamere Street.
- The car park does have Blue Badge parking spaces.
- There is/are 13 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 236cm x 470cm.
- There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
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Drop-off Point(s)
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- There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).
- Additional Public Parking Information View
Approach (Front of Building)
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Approach
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- The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles.
- The approach surface is uneven in places.
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a slope with a very easy incline.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Step(s)
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- There is a/are step(s) on the approach.
- There is/are 4 unmarked step(s), with no handrails.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 23cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
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Comments
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- Only some of the steps are clearly marked.
Outside Access (Door 2)
- This information is for the entrance located through the archway at the front of the building and to the left.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance sign says 'DOOR 2'.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
- The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- The height of the intercom is 107cm (3ft 6in).
- A key fob is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the key fob reader is 125cm.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 89cm.
Area(s) (Citizens Advice)
- The facilities/services located on the ground floor of the building include; a waiting area and 5 consultation rooms.
- There is step-free access throughout the area.
- There are doors in lobby areas/corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet.
- The main walkway(s)/aisle(s) in the open plan office(s) are wide enough for wheelchair users to pass.
- The following facilities in this area may not be accessible or usable for wheelchair users; meeting pods.
- The type of flooring in the open plan/communal areas is carpet.
- There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
- There are no height adjustable desks in this area.
- There are not desks which are potentially accessible for wheelchair users in this area.
- Seating in this area includes; chairs with armrests.
- Wayfinding signage is not provided.
- There is no overhead signage in this area.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- None of the doors in this area have Braille signage.
- None of the doors in this area have tactile signage.
- There is not background music in this area.
- There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.
- There are no communal refreshment areas.
Room(s) (Citizens Advice - Pod 2)
- The room surveyed was Pod 2.
- Pod 2 is located on the ground floor, off the Citizens Advice main area.
- There are 5 similar consultation pods available.
- There is not wayfinding signage on route to the room(s).
- Signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
- There is numerical signage for the room, that is clearly visible.
- The corridor/walkway outside the room(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
- There is a high colour contrast between the external door and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- There is step-free access into the room(s).
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
- The door(s) is/are single.
- The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
- The door is easy to open.
- Light switches are between 75cm and 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
- There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
- There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
- There is some fixed furniture within the room(s).
- The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 70cm.
- There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
- Furniture can be reconfigured to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
- A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
- There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
- The type of flooring in the room(s) is carpet.
- Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
- There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
- The lighting levels are good.
- The other consultation pods vary in size and layout.
Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet facilities in this area.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor, just beyond the Door 2 entrance.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is Braille, tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door may be difficult to open for some.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 72cm.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 151cm x 221cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 3in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The toilet has not got a non-slip floor.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 82cm (2ft 8in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by waste bins.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are female sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The wash basin tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 83cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 116cm (3ft 10in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 106cm (3ft 6in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- There is a high colour contrast between the external door and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the toilet seat and pan.
- There is a medium colour contrast between the walls and floor.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Opposite Transfer Toilet(s)
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- There is not an opposite transfer toilet in this location.
Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)
- There is/are 1 male toilet(s) located on the ground floor, near the Door 3 entrance.
- There is/are 1 female toilet(s) located on the ground floor, near the Door 3 entrance.
- There is/are 1 shared toilet(s) toilet(s) located on the ground floor, near the Door 3 entrance.
- The type of signage on or near the standard toilet door(s) is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written.
- Ambulant toilet cubicles are not available.
- There is not a male standard toilet with a lowered urinal.
- The wash basin tap types in standard toilets are push.
- The lighting levels are good in the male and female standard toilets.
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Comments
View
- The shared toilet has a flip down baby change table. Once extended this is 91cm high.
Additional Info
- Documents are not available in Braille.
- Documents are not available in large print.
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.