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The Portal

Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 0BA

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • The Portal is a council building with offices and multiple services available.
    • Services available in the venue include: Job Centre, Citizens Advice, Credit Union, Skills and Employment Hub, and For Housing.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors and automatic doors.
    • G, 1 and 2 can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: large print (on request).
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on all floors.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The gender inclusive step-free toilet facilities are located on all floors.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on floors 1 and 2, within the toilet with adaptations.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located within the floor 2 toilet with adaptations.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the front of building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 430cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 133cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 9m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders and staff permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are not available.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There is 1 electric vehicle charging point.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 230cm (width) x 430cm (depth).
    • The controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require tap and pay (contactless payment).
    • There is 1 electric vehicle charging point designated for Blue Badge holders.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay designated for Blue Badge holders are 240cm (width) x 430cm (depth).
    • The controls for the Blue Badge charging points are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster for the Blue Badge charging points is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nearest Blue Badge charging point is 40m from the main entrance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located to the front right side of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 185cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 163cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the left of the main entrance.
  • The distance from main entrance is 9m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 110cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 73cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • 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: armchairs and sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors and automatic doors.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests, armchairs, sofas, benches and high stools.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Room (G5 Meeting Room)

  • The room is located to the left hand side of the building when facing the reception.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 32m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is numbered signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 86cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are potential trip hazards in this room. There are raised power socket covers on the floor next to the tables.

Toilet with Adaptations (Floor G - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead from the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 16m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high 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 182cm (width) x 278cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 113cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 49cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 100cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 92cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 84cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin, a sanitary bin and a clinical waste bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 89cm.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Entrance (Staff)

  • This entrance is located at the front left of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 93cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 92cm.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 103cm.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens by sliding.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 103cm.
  • The width of the opening is 92cm.
  • The second door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 103cm.

Lift (Staff)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right from the staff entrance.
  • The distance from the staff entrance is 6m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • G, 1 and 2 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 135cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 149cm (width) x 105cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs (Staff)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right from the staff entrance.
  • G, 1 and 2 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have low visual contrast markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Floor 2 - Staff - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on floor 2.
    • The distance from the lift is 13m.
    • 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 pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high 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 237cm (width) x 276cm (depth) and there is 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 170cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 49cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 100cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 91cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 84cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a clinical waste bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Shower with Adaptations (Floor 2 - Staff)

  • Location and Access View
    • The shower surveyed is located within the the toilet with adaptations on flloor 2.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails and dropdown rails for the shower.
    • The grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is no emergency alarm for the shower.