Access Guide
Overview
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About
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- The venue is a museum with multiple exhibit zones covering the history of coal mining.
- Facilities available in the venue include: toilets, a cafe, a visitor centre, conference rooms, a research library, an underground tour.
- View information on opening times
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue has its own car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
- The nearest train station is Wakefield Westgate.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google maps (opens new tab).
- View information on getting here (opens new tab) .
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Getting In and Around
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- There is step-free access via slope at the most accessible entrance.
- The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the Hub, some exhibits in Caphouse, Hope Pit, Pit Wood and the Nature Trail.
- The following areas have stepped access: the 2nd floor of the Tech Gallery which can also be accessed via standard lift.
- Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, manual doors and narrow openings.
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Getting Help and Assistance
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- There is seating available.
- There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
- Documents are available in the following formats: different languages (on request) and audio commentary.
- There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
- There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
- Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.
- Staff receive the following training: Emergency evacuation from the underground tour.
Toilet and Changing Facilities
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Toilet Facilities
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- There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
- The toilet with adaptations is located inside the Hub.
- The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
- The male and female toilet facilities are located in the Hub corridor between the conference rooms and the cafe.
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Changing Places and Changing Facilities
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- Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilet with adaptations for disabled people in the Hub corridor between the conference rooms and the cafe.
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Washroom and Shower Facilities
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- The shower facilities which have adaptations are located in the toilet with adaptations for disabled people in the Hub corridor between the conference rooms and the cafe.
- There are additional toilets with adaptations for disabled people in exhibit areas around the venue.
Parking
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Car Park
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- The car park is located at the front of the main building.
- The car park is open air/surface.
- The car park surface consists of tarmac.
- There are 10 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
- The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
- The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
- The hatched/marked zones vary between bays.
- The width of the marked zone is 54cm.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
- The nearest designated bay is 15m from the ticketing office.
- The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope, a steep ramp or slope and uneven surfaces.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park is for visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
- Parking is free for all users.
- Clearly presented parking signs are available.
- Payment machines are located at the front of the car park.
- There is a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- There is a level manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user in front of the payment machine (185cm x 210cm).
- Parking tickets are not needed other than during summer school holidays and certain special events when parking is chargeable.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop-off point available.
Entrance (The Hub Welcome Centre)
- This entrance is located at the left hand side of the main building.
- The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
- The slope has a slight gradient.
- There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
- The doors open by sliding.
- The width of the opening is 114cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- 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 196cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Ticketing
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Ticket Office
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- Seating available includes: benches and stools.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
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Ticket Counter
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- The ticket counter surveyed is located directly ahead as you enter the Welcome Centre.
- There is step-free level access to the counter.
- The height of the counter is 100cm.
- There is a lowered section at the counter.
- The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
- The counter has a television.
- There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
- The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
Getting Around (The Shop)
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- Access throughout may include narrow aisles (less than 120cm) and narrow openings.
- The flooring is shiny.
- There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
- There may be background noise.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- The colour, design and typeface of signs is not consistent throughout.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Entrance (Underground Tour)
- The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is 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 steep gradient.
- The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with a handrail on the right going up.
- There is a single manual door at this entrance.
- The door is permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 77cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The door has a high visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Exit (The Hub)
- The exit area is clearly signed.
- There is step-free level access at the exit.
- There are double automatic doors at this exit.
- The doors open away from you.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a high visual contrast.
- There is a second single manual door.
- The second door is permanently held open.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The second door has a low visual contrast.
- The minimum width between the fixed barriers is 123cm.
- There is step-free access via ramp as you exit.
- The ramp has a slight gradient.
- The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
Toilet with Adaptations (The Hub - Left Hand Transfer)
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Location and Access
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- The toilet surveyed is located in the corridor between the Conference Rooms and the Café.
- The distance from the parking is 55m.
- 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 inwards and has a high visual contrast.
- The door is easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 85cm.
- 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 high visual contrast.
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Dimensions and Features
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- The dimensions of the cubicle are 346cm (width) x 346cm (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 137cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
- There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
- The horizontal grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
- There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
- The vertical grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The dropdown rail has a medium visual contrast.
- The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
- The toilet seat has a low 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 94cm from the floor.
- The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is 71cm from the floor.
- The wash basin has a push tap.
- The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
- The wash basin grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
- The soap dispenser is 96cm from the floor.
- There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
- The towel dispenser is 122cm from the floor.
- There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
- The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
- The hand dryer is 114cm from the floor.
- 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 does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
- The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
- The height of the baby change facility when in use is 92cm.
- The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Shower with Adaptations (The Hub)
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Location and Access
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- The shower surveyed is located in the toilet with adaptations for disabled people in the corridor between the Conference Rooms and the Café.
- The distance from the parking is 55m.
- The most accessible route to the shower has step-free level access.
- There is step-free level access into the facility.
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Dimensions and Features
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- 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.
- The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
- The shower seat is 39cm from the floor.
- There is a grab rail and a dropdown rail for the shower.
- The grab rails have a medium visual contrast.
- The dropdown rail has a medium visual contrast.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower, 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 does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
- The facility has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
- There are multiple coat hooks.
- The coat hooks are 136cm and 166cm from the floor.
- The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Entrance (Cafe)
- This entrance is located in the courtyard of the Hub.
- The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
- 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 slope at the entrance.
- The slope has a steep gradient.
- There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked or bolted.
- The locked door can be opened on request.
- The door opens towards you.
- The door requires effort to open.
- The width of the opening is 70cm.
- The door has a low visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Eating and Drinking (Café)
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Location and Service
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- This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered and numerous seating options.
- Full table service is available on request only.
- Menus are wall-mounted and available on a board.
- The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, vegetarian and vegan.
- The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Order and Payment
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- The service counter was surveyed.
- The counter is located at the rear of the café as you enter.
- There is step-free level access to the counter.
- The height of the counter is 85cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The height of the tray rail is 82cm.
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Seating Area
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- There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
- The flooring is shiny.
- The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
- Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
- The surface height of the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
- The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- There is background noise in this area.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Entrance (Conference Suite and Library Centre)
- This entrance is located opposite the Welcome Centre.
- The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
- 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 manual doors at this entrance.
- The doors open by sliding.
- The width of the opening is 104cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a low visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Room (Conference Space)
- The room is located inside the Hub.
- The distance from the Conference Suite and Library entrance is 12m.
- The most accessible route to the room has manual doors.
- There is written text 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 has a locked extension leaf.
- The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
- The door opens away from you.
- The door is easy to open.
- The width of the opening is 78cm.
- 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 flooring consists of deep pile carpet.
- The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
- Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
- Furniture available in the room includes: tables and high 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 is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
- Announcements are in person.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
- The Conference Suite can be partitioned to make two separate room spaces.
The layout of the room depends on the event.
There is an additional smaller conference room to the left of the main Conference Suite..
Entrance (Library)
- This entrance is located in the right hand corridor after you enter the Conference Suite and Library block.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a single manual door at this entrance.
- The door has a locked extension leaf.
- The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
- The door opens towards you.
- The door is easy to open.
- The width of the opening is 78cm.
- The door has a high visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Library
- There is step-free level access throughout the library.
- Access throughout the library may include narrow walkways and narrow openings.
- There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is not space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
- The flooring consists of deep pile carpet.
- Seating available in the library includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
- Furniture available in the library includes: height adjustable tables.
- The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
- The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
