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Braintree Village

Charter Way, Chapel Hill, Braintree, CM77 8YH

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • This is an outdoor shopping centre.
    • Outdoor areas are partially sheltered.
    • Sheltered areas include: areas around the north and south access points, the pavilion at the upper end of South Lane, and the covered walkways along North and South Lanes.
    • There a customer/guest information point available.
    • The information point is located at the lower end of Middle Lane.
    • The information point has a hearing assistance system.
    • A play area for children is not available.
    • View information on opening times.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
    • The shopping centre has its own car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
    • There are 2 car parks in total and 2 have Blue Badge parking available.
    • Some car parks with Blue Badge parking have step-free level access to the shopping centre.
    • Other car parks have step-free access to the shopping centre via slope or ramp.
    • There is a taxi rank.
    • The nearest train station is Braintree Freeport.
    • This station has step-free access.
    • For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Traveline (opens new tab).
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • Seating is available.
    • There is a portable hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • This venue offers a quiet shopping experience.
    • The quiet shopping experience takes place every Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00.
    • British Sign Language can be provided virtually.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • There is a Hands-Free Shopping service.
    • Shopping bags can be left at Guest Services as part of the PLUS+ Concierge service. This also includes a carry-to-car service.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are located within the upper and lower toilet blocks, on Middle Lane.
    • The transfer space varies between toilets with adaptations.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located in both the upper and lower toilet blocks, on Middle Lane.
  • Changing Places Facilities View
    • Changing Places facilities are located in the upper toilet block, on Middle Lane.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in both the upper and lower toilet blocks, on the Middle Lane.

Parking (South)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Charter Way.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 77 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 60m from the south entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight slope.
    • This route has uneven surfaces.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Free parking is restricted to a maximum of 6 hours.
    • If staying longer than 6 hours, visitors can register their number plate with Guest Services to receive extended free parking.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
    • There are 2 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 317cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • The controls are not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • An online account is required to use the charging point.
    • Payment can be made with a credit/debit card (contactless).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Parking (North)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Century Drive.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 38 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 227cm (width) x 482cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 129cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 20m from the north entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • This route has uneven surfaces.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Free parking is restricted to a maximum of 6 hours.
    • If staying longer than 6 hours, visitors can register their number plate with Guest Services to receive extended free parking.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • Electric Vehicle charging points are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

South Entrance

  • Access Point View
    • This access point is located at the south of the shopping centre, by Charter Way.
    • The approach to the access point has uneven surfaces and bollards.
    • The access point is clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access via a very easy slope.
    • There is a double gate at this access point.
    • The gates are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 400cm.
    • The gates have a high colour contrast.

North Entrance

  • Access Point View
    • This access point is located at the north side of the shopping centre, off the north car park.
    • The approach to the access point has uneven surfaces.
    • The access point is clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access via a slope.
    • The slope has a slight gradient.
    • There is a double gate at this access point.
    • The gates are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 400cm.
    • The gates have a high colour contrast.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is not step-free level access throughout.
    • The following areas have stepped access: some shops along South and North Lanes, although these steps can be overcome by accessing the walkway further along.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes: North, South and Middle Lanes all have slight slopes throughout.
  • Circulation View
    • There are no doors to open along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, permanent physical obstructions and moveable physical obstructions.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
    • There is background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests and benches.

Entrance (Guest Services)

  • This entrance is located at the lower end of Middle Lane.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 89cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.

Counter (Guest Services)

  • The counter is located ahead from the entrance to Guest Services.
  • The distance from the entrance to Guest Services is 4m.
  • The most accessible route to the counter has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 73cm.
  • The counter has a television which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • There is a clearly signed portable 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.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and sofas.

Parent and Baby Room / Feeding Room (Upper Toilet Block)

  • The room is located off the middle lane, through the door of the upper toilet block, then on the left.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • There is tactile and written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 78cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
  • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 98cm.
  • There is also a toilet, a wash basin, a hand dryer, a mirror and a shelf in the room.
  • The wash basin has a sensor tap.
  • The room has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs with armrests.
  • The walls and floor have a low colour contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Lower Toilet Block - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located off Middle Lane, through the door of the lower toilet block (to the right of Guest Services), and then to the left.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial, written text and 'Not All Disabilities Are Visible' signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 85cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 191cm (width) x 188cm (depth).
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 130cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 89cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 76cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 103cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 89cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a long mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 105cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Changing Places (Upper Toilet Block)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located off Middle Lane, through the door of the upper toilet block, and then straight ahead.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • There is not a sign at the entrance to the Changing Places facility indicating the location of the nearest toilets and baby changing facilities.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access.
    • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is tactile and written text signage on or near the door.
    • A RADAR key is required for access to this facility.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 92cm.
    • The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 486cm (width) x 282cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
  • Toilet Details View
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet, however they are obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 100cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 150cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the right transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There are dropdown grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 96cm from the floor.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is wall mounted and height adjustable.
    • The length of the changing bench is 180cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses all areas.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a height adjustable wash basin.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 85cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 78cm from the floor.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is available.
    • The wide paper roll dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a long mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 125cm from the floor.
    • A privacy screen is available.
    • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.