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Braintree Village - Shopping Area

Charter Way, Chapel Hill, Braintree, Essex, CM77 8YH

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Access Guide

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Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include wheelchairs.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact guest services.

Getting Here

Braintree Freeport Station to South Entrance

  • After departing the train at Braintree Freeport Station, there is a long slight slope or 15 plus steps leading from the station to the path for Braintree Village.
  • The surface of the slope is tarmac.
  • There are handrails to the right as you go up the slope.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • At the top of slope/steps there is clear directional signage to the South Entrance of Braintree Village.
  • There is step-free access along the path to the entrance.
  • There route crosses the access road.
  • At the crossing point there is a pedestrian crossing with dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides.
  • Caution is advised when crossing due to oncoming traffic.
  • The surface of the path varies from tarmac and block paving.
  • Along the route the width of the path is reduced in places due to bus stops, plant boxes and bollards, however the width of path at the points remains wide enough.

Braintree Village Parking

Outside Access (North Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located off the North Car Park.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
  • This entrance sign says 'Braintree Village'.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
  • There are no doors at this entrance.
  • There are no doors at this entrance.
  • There are bollards at this entrance.
  • The minimum width between the bollards is 180cm.
  • Entrance View
    • The bollards do have an identification band to aid visually impaired people.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the path leading from the car park into the shopping area.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.

Outside Access (South Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the south side of the shopping village.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
  • This entrance sign says 'Braintree Village'.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
  • There are no doors at this entrance.
  • There are fixed barriers at this entrance.
  • The minimum width between the fixed barriers is 100cm.
  • Entrance View
    • The bollards do have an identification band to aid visually impaired people.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.

External Area(s) (Shopping)

  • Wall mounted signs are provided to aid wayfinding.
  • This external area is not covered.
  • The type of flooring in this area is stone/concrete paving.
  • The following types of seating can be found in this area; wooden benches and metal benches.
  • There are information boards with a QR code which can be used to obtain a map of the shopping park to use on a phone.
    The height of the QR code is 65cm.
    Physical maps are available from Guest Services.
  • There are some centrally located kiosks or shops along walkways in this area.
  • Background music is not played in this area.
  • There is step free access in this area.
  • The north, south and central walkways have a long slight slope leading from the top to the bottom of the walkways. Some of the shops along these walkways have a terraced area, which provides step-free access to the shop.
    The terrace areas have steps along the side of them, however, these can be overcome by using the step-free access at the end of the terrace.

Accessible Toilet(s) (next to Trespass)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located at the rear of Trespass (Unit 65 on the Map).
    • There is step-free access to the accessible toilet.
    • Clear wayfinding signage for the toilet(s) is provided.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door has a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 199cm (4ft 9in x 6ft 6in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has not got a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 61cm (2ft).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the right.
    • There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • The toilet has a lid.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • 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).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps do not have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 95cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is poor.
    • The lighting levels are low.

Standard Toilet(s) (next to Trespass)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • There is step-free access to the female toilet(s).
  • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located at the rear of Trespass (unit 65 on the map).
  • There is step-free access to the female and male toilet(s).
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
  • There is not a lowered urinal available in the male toilet(s).
  • An ambulant toilet with wall-mounted grab rails is not available.
  • There is not a lowered wash basin available.
  • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
  • Lighting levels are low.

Parent and Baby Room (next to Trespass)

  • There is a parent and baby room for public use.
  • The parent and baby room is located at the rear of Trespass (unit 65 on the map).
  • There is step-free access to the parent and baby room.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the room.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the parent and baby room door.
  • The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
  • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
  • The height of the baby change table once extended is 109cm (3ft 7in).
  • There are disposal facilities in the parent and baby room.
  • There is a wash basin in the parent and baby room.
  • The height of the wash basin is 80cm.
  • The wash basin tap type is push.
  • There is a/are chair(s) in the parent and baby room.
  • There is not a chair with armrests on both sides.
  • There is not a toilet in the parent and baby room.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • The lighting levels are low.

Accessible Toilet(s) (next to Guest Services)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located at the rear of Guest Services.
    • There is step-free access to the accessible toilet.
    • Clear wayfinding signage for the toilet(s) is provided.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door has a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 202cm x 190cm (6ft 8in x 6ft 3in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has not got a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 142cm (4ft 8in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by waste bins.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • There is a shelf next to the toilet.
    • The shelf is not between 90cm and 100cm.
    • The toilet has a lid.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • 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).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps do not have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 100cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is poor.
    • The lighting levels are low.

Standard Toilet(s) (next to Guest Services)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located at the rear of the Guest Services.
  • There is step-free access to the female and male toilet(s).
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
  • There is not a lowered urinal available in the male toilet(s).
  • An ambulant toilet with wall-mounted grab rails is not available.
  • There is not a lowered wash basin available.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
  • Lighting levels are low.

Parent and Baby Room (next to Guest Services)

  • There is a parent and baby room for public use.
  • The parent and baby room is located at the rear of Guest Services.
  • There is step-free access to the parent and baby room.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the room.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the parent and baby room door.
  • The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
  • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
  • The height of the baby change table once extended is 105cm (3ft 5in).
  • There are disposal facilities in the parent and baby room.
  • There is a wash basin in the parent and baby room.
  • The height of the wash basin is 80cm.
  • The wash basin tap type is push.
  • There is a/are chair(s) in the parent and baby room.
  • There is not a chair with armrests on both sides.
  • There is not a toilet in the parent and baby room.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • The lighting levels are low.

Related Access Guides (Braintree Village)