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Bexley Contact Centre

Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA6 7AT

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • The contact centre is the main public access point for many council services.
  • These include planning, building contol, children's social services, school admissions, parking services, highways and waste services.
  • Visitors will first be assisted by a customer services representative at the counter.
  • Informal meetings may be held in the waiting area.
  • Private meeting rooms are also available.
  • Some departments may require an appointment to meet a member of staff.
  • Other departments may only be available to callers within certain times.
  • Please check before visiting.

Opening Times

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

Location

  • The venue is situated within the centre of the town.
  • This venue is situated in Bexleyheath.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest mainline station is Barnehurst.

Parking (Staff and Blue Badge Parking)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • 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.
    • The car park is to the left side of the building, accessed from Woolwich Road.
    • There are 10 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 400cm x 500cm (13ft 1in x 16ft 5in).
    • The nearest designated bay is 65m (71yd 3in) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest designated bay is 110m (120yd 11in) from the main 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb / non stepped access from the car park to 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The are 4 Blue Badge bays facing Woolwich Road.
    • These bays have direct access via a dropped kerb to the pavement leading to the main entrance.
    • There are 6 further bays at the rear of the building.
    • Car park entry is by intercom at the security barrier to reception.
    • After staff hours, general parking may also be available to the public attending evening meetings.

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 doors open automatically.
  • The doors are double width.
  • The door opening is 195cm (6ft 5in) wide.
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The doors open automatically.
    • The doors are double width.
    • The door opening is 195cm (6ft 5in) wide.

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located leading up from the left of the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • There are steps to access this area / service.
  • The steps are located in front and to the right of the entrance.
  • There is / are 9 step(s) to the area / service.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

Reception

  • The desk is 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • The reception desk is high.
  • The desk has a lowered section.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Reception (Contact Centre Reception)

  • The desk/counter is 12m (13yd 4in) from the main 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 not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • The contact centre is located to the left of the main reception desk.
    • There are no doors into the contact centre.
    • The reception desk is a long counter, with space for several staff members at busy times.

Waiting Room / Area (Contact Centre)

  • There is a waiting room / area.
  • The waiting room / area is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access into the waiting room / area.
  • There are not doors into the waiting room / area.
  • The type of flooring is carpet.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs with armrests are available.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • Lighting levels are bright.
  • The room does not have background music playing.
  • There is a television.
  • Subtitles are available.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • There is a children's play area.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • Within the contact centre there are tables for informal meetings.
    • There are also computers and terminals to contact council services.
    • Six private meeting rooms open off the space.
    • There is a fixed hearing loop in one of the rooms and a portable loop available for other areas.

Eating and Drinking (Café)

  • The following information is for the cafe.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • Some tables are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs have armrests.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 39cm (1ft 3in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 95cm (3ft 1in).
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Plastic cups are available.
  • Plastic cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available on request.
  • Menus are wall only.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is light meals, snacks and drinks.
  • Comments View
    • The public café counter is located in the Customer Contact Centre.
    • There are a range of seating options within the waiting area, from sofas to bar-height counters.

Opening Times (Café)

  • Monday 08:00 - 16:00.
  • Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00.
  • Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00.
  • Thursday 08:00 - 16:00.
  • Friday 08:00 - 16:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Accessible Toilet (Public Area)

  • 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 pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The accessible toilet is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The accessible toilet is located at the rear of the contact centre.
    • 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 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • The door weight is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 240cm x 210cm (7ft 10in x 6ft 11in).
    • 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 is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is a functional emergency alarm available.
    • It is not a push button style of alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is 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 49cm (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 cannot 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 placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the sink is 78cm (2ft 7in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • There is a medium colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
    • There is a good 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)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilets are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilets are located in the staff areas, on each floor.
    • The female and male toilets are 8m (8yd 2ft) from the lift.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilet.
    • This is by lift.
    • Lighting levels are medium.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The unisex toilets are located at the rear of the contact centre.
    • Unisex toilets are 28m (30yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the unisex toilet.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in a seperate baby changing room.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.

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 normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Home visits / services are available.
  • Comments View
    • Certain services within the building will carry out home visits via appointment only.