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Guy Hilton Research Centre

Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7QB

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include I.T. rooms, research laboratories and offices.
  • Comments View
    • There are 3 floors to this building.
    • Ground floor houses reception, I.T. rooms, toilets and offices.
    • Floor 1 is laboratories and floor 2 is a maintenance area only.

Location

  • The venue is situated within the centre of the city.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Stoke-on-Trent.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is not free for all users.
  • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
  • There is/are 1 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 360cm x 590cm (11ft 10in x 19ft 4in).
  • The nearest designated bay is 34m (37yd 7in) from the main entrance.
  • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user not at all.
  • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
  • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
  • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • The patron does not have to cross a road.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open towards you (pull).
  • The doors are double width.
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The door opening is 162cm (5ft 4in) wide.
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open towards you (pull).
    • The doors are double width.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in) wide.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • The ramp or slope is located to the left of the main entrance, leading from the car park.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 147cm (4ft 10in).
  • There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
  • The step(s) is / are located to the left of the main entrance, leading from the car park.
  • There is / are 11 step(s) to the area / service.
  • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is / are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.

Reception

  • The desk is 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • The reception desk is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The desk is generally staffed.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the rear right of the building as you enter.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1-2.
  • The lift is 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 106cm x 138cm (3ft 6in x 4ft 6in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The accessible toilet is 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is level access to the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex 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 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door weight is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 146cm x 211cm (4ft 9in x 6ft 11in).
    • Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is not a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency 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 not a coat hook.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There are mirrors.
    • 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 not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 sink.
    • The sink cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.