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The National Archives

The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU

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Access Guide

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Overview

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the front and rear of the venue.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 11 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 225cm (width) x 475cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 125cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 60m from the rear entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope.
    • The paving is flush with the road from the blue badge parking spaces and has tactile paving.
      The blue badge parking bays are at the rear of the building, whilst standard car parking is at the front.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located inside the venue.
    • Payment machines are located in the entrance foyer.
    • There is not 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).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located at the rear of the building in front of the rear entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the drop-off point.
    • The paving is flush with the road from the blue badge parking spaces with tactile paving.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout may include automatic doors.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all walkways.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 7 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground, first and second floors. .
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located in the dining room area on the ground floor. .
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the accessible toilet by the welcome desk.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located at the front 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 access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 95cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 95cm.
  • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • There are revolving doors to the left of the second automatic door.

Entrance (Rear)

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not 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 slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 5 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrail is not 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 unmarked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the step is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 13cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 95cm.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 95cm.
  • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • There are revolving doors to the left of the automatic door.

Counter (Welcome Desk)

  • The counter is located in the entrance foyer.
  • The distance from the rear entrance is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 103cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • The counter has windows.
  • 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.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located along the corridor to the left of the welcome desk.
  • The distance from the welcome desk is 35m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground, first and second floors 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 and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 92cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 98cm (width) x 135cm (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, an audible announcer, a list of floor services/facilities and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located along the corridor to the left of the Welcome Desk.
  • The ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • 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 height of the step 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.

Room (Cloakroom)

  • The room is located along the corridor to the left of the welcome desk.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 50m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is no door to the cloakroom, but there is an opening which is 115cm wide.
  • 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 high visual contrast.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is not 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.

Exhibition Space (Gallery)

  • This area is indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • Display information includes: information boards, pictorial, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user, audio guides and televisions/screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • The seating is fixed.

Outdoor Spaces (Pocket Park)

  • The following is available in this area: parkland.
  • Additional facilities in this area include: picnic tables .
  • Outdoor areas consist of loose chippings and grass.
  • There are footpaths in some areas.
  • The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • Playground View
    • Assistance dogs can be walked and toileted at the Pocket Park. There are disposal bins provided.

Outdoor Spaces (Smoking Area - Rear Entrance Doors)

  • Additional facilities in this area include: a smoking area .
  • Outdoor areas consist of block paving.
  • There are footpaths throughout.
  • The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right of the main entrance.
    • The distance from the welcome desk is 20m.
    • 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 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 medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 215cm (width) x 194cm (depth) and there is not 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 147cm (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 low 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 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 89cm 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 106cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 91cm 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 waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 118cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 81cm.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.