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Essex County Council Rowan House

33 Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3WG

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Access Guide

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Location

  • The venue is in a pedestrian area.
  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Colchester Train Station.
  • There is not a tram stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.

Opening Times (Rowan House)

  • Monday 09:00 - 17:30.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 17:30.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 17:30.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 17:30.
  • Friday 09:00 - 16:30.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located to the right of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
    • There is/are 4 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 213cm x 513cm (6ft 12in x 16ft 10in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 13m (14yd 8in) from the Rowan House entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 15m (16yd 1ft) from the Rowan House entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are uneven surfaces.
    • The car park surface is concrete.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does have tactile paving.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.

Outside Access (Rowan House Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on Sheepen Road.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 177cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left of the car park.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located to the left of the ramp.
    • There is/are 4 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 20cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Comments View
    • There is a pedestrian access from Sheepen Road with a steep slope.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 2m (2yd 7in) from the Rowan House entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are not trained to use the system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested on 27/02/2024.
  • The hearing assistance system was not working at the time of testing.
  • Comments View
    • There is a waiting area close to reception.
    • There are fixed seats without armrests available.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • To access the services/ facilities there are manual doors ad power assisted doors with a press pad.
    • The height of the press pad is 105cm
    • There is seating in the corridors throughout the building.

Ground Floor - Mistley Meeting Room

  • The Mistley meeting room is located to the right of reception.
  • There is a single door that pushes away from you with a width of 75cm and may be difficult to open
  • There is a table that has a height of 74cm and seats without armrests.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located past reception, to the left.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1 and 2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on all floors.
  • The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 87cm (2ft 10in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 158cm x 140cm (5ft 2in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a second set of similar stairs at the rear of the building.

Accessible Toilet (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the Rowan House entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor to the right of the lift.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 240cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 10in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is push.
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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).
    • 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).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • 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 wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Accessible Toilet (First Floor - Transfer Both Sides)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 40m (43yd 2ft) from the Rowan House entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the building on the first floor.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 230cm x 290cm (7ft 7in x 9ft 6in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on both sides.
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 147cm.
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 73cm.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary and waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are not available for the toilet.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is not a toilet roll holder.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • 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 walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor - Male and Female Toilet)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the ground floor either side of the rear staircase.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the Rowan House entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.

Standard Shower (Ground Floor - Female Shower)

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located in the ground floor - female toilet.
  • There is level access to the shower facilities.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor - Shared Toilet)

Standard Toilet(s) (First Floor Male and Female Toilet)

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are not available in large print.
  • A bowl of water cannot be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service cannot be requested.