Access Guide
Getting Here
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By Road
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- The Library is located on Castle Road opposite the Mid Kent Shopping Centre.
The M20 junction 5 is 1.1 miles away via Coldharbour Lane, London Road (A20) and Castle Road. - The library has its own small car park with space for approximately 4 cars.
There is one bay which is faded for Blue Badge holders.
- The Library is located on Castle Road opposite the Mid Kent Shopping Centre.
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By Bus
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- There is not a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
- The nearest bus stop is on Newbury Avenue, approximately 0.1 mile from the venue.
The services that operate from this stop are the 79C and 79A. - For more information on Nu-Venture please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Maidstone Barracks.
- Maidstone Barracks is approximately 1.3 miles from the venue.
There are direct train services to Maidstone West, Strood, Tonbridge and Paddock Wood. - For more information on Maidstone Barracks Station please click here (opens new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
- British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request, different languages on request and audio on request.
- There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- There are mobility aids available.
- There is a book trolley that can be used as a mobility aid.
Parking
- The venue does have its own parking facilities.
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Parking
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- The car park is located in front of the building.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park does not have a barrier control system.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
- There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
- All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
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Paying
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- There are no parking charges for the car park.
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Access from the Car Park
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- 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 slopes/ramps.
- The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
- The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac and concrete tiles.
- There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
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Drop-off Point(s)
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- There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).
Approach (Main Entrance)
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Approach
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- The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles and block paving.
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
- The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient.
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Comments
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- There is a gate on the approach to the right hand side of the building.
- The width of the gate opening is 114cm.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance sign says 'Allington Library'.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
- The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 70cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 84cm.
- There is a member of staff available for assistance at this entrance.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front and to the left hand side of the entrance.
- 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 both sides.
Reception
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Reception
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- The reception point is located ahead from the main entrance.
- The reception point is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step-free access to the reception point.
- There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
- There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
- The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
- The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm) .
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is a lowered section of the counter.
- The height of the lowered section at the counter is 70cm.
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
- There is a clear knee recess beneath the lowered section of the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
- The type of system is a portable loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 29/01/2020.
- The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.
- Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
- The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet.
Library
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Library Access and Circulation
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- There is step-free access into the library.
- The type of flooring in the library is carpet.
- There are no potential trip hazards within the room.
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Library Services
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- This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
- This library does have a regular supply of books in large print.
- This library does have a regular supply of books in audio format.
- There is an ordering service.
- There is a self-service book borrow/return machine available.
- The self-service machine touch screen is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- There is step-free access within the library.
- There are reading/study desks available.
- The majority of the reading/study desk(s) are 70cm in height.
- There is a height adjustable desk available.
- There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
- A member of staff is available to provide assistance.
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Computer Area
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- The library does have a computer area.
- The computer area is located to the left from the main entrance.
- There is step-free access to the computer area.
- The majority of the computer desk(s) are 68cm in height.
- There is a height adjustable desk in this area.
- The library does have computers with accessible software.
- Auxiliary aids are available for computer users.
- A large text keyboard, height adjustable chair, height adjustable table and large rollerball mouse is / are available.
- There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests in the computer area.
Accessible Toilet(s)
- There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) for public use.