You are on Introduction. Skip to the next section.

Introduction

• Services / facilities within the building include the London Borough of Lewisham Council Chamber and eight Committee Rooms.

You are on Location. Skip to the next section.

Location

• The venue is in a pedestrian area.
• There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
• The nearest National Rail station is Catford Bridge.
• The nearest DLR station is Lewisham.

You are on Opening Times. Skip to the next section.

Opening Times

• Monday 09:00 - 22:00.
• Tuesday 09:00 - 22:00.
• Wednesday 09:00 - 22:00.
• Thursday 09:00 - 22:00.
• Friday 09:00 - 22:00.

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• Comments View
  • Opening times vary due to events taking place..

You are on Parking. Skip to the next section.

Parking

• The venue does not have its own car park.

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• Public Car Parks View
  • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
• On Street Blue Badge Parking View
  • On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
• On Street Standard Parking View
  • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
• Drop-off Point View
  • There is not a designated drop off point.

You are on Outside Access (Catford Road). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Catford Road)

• This information is for the entrance located on the north side of Catford Road (A205 South Circular), opposite Laurence House.
• There is not level access into the venue.
• The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
• The door(s) is / are single.
• The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).

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• Second set of doors View
  • There is a second set of doors.
  • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
  • The door(s) is / are single.
  • The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
• Comments View
  • The automatic doors are located to the left of the entrance, where the ramp is.
    
  • There are two sets of single doors with identical specifications to the right of the entrance, but they are manual.
    
  • There are two sets of double, manual, heavy doors in the centre of the entrance. They open towards you (pull) and have an opening width of 168cm.

You are on Level Change (Catford Road Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Level Change (Catford Road Entrance)

• There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
• The ramp/slope is located directly in front of the Catford Road Entrance.
• The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
• The ramp/slope is permanent.
• There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
• The ramp does have handrails.
• The handrails are on the right going up.
• The width of the ramp/slope is 123cm (4ft).
• There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
• The step(s) is/are located directly in front of the Catford Road Entrance.
• There is/are 2 step(s) to the area/service.
• There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
• The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
• The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
• There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
• The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

You are on Reception. Skip to the next section.

Reception

• The desk/counter is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Catford Road Entrance.
• There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
• The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
• The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
• The lighting levels are moderate to good.
• There is a hearing assistance system.
• The type of system is a portable loop.
• The hearing assistance system is signed.
• Staff are trained to use the system.
• The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
• The hearing assistance system was tested on 06/07/2023.
• The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.

You are on Inside Access. Skip to the next section.

Inside Access

• There is not level access to the service(s).
• There is a hearing assistance system.
• The system is a portable loop.
• Staff are trained to use the system.
• The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
• The hearing assistance system was tested on 06/07/2023.
• The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
• This venue does not play background music.
• Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
• The lighting levels are varied.

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• Comments View
  • There are steps at the rear of the foyer area, which lead down to some meeting rooms.
    
  • There is a platform lift to overcome these steps.

You are on Level Change (Upper Foyer to Lower Foyer). Skip to the next section.

Level Change (Upper Foyer to Lower Foyer)

• There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
• The step(s) is/are located straight ahead as you enter from the Catford Road Entrance.
• There is/are 5 step(s) to the area/service.
• The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
• The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
• The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
• There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
• The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.

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• Comments View
  • There are two flights of stairs here, one wide and one narrow (next to the platform lift which bypasses them).
  • The going of the steps is under 30cm.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip; however they do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.

You are on Lift (Platform - Reception to Committee Rooms 1 and 2 and Standard Male Toilets). Skip to the next section.

Lift (Platform - Reception to Committee Rooms 1 and 2 and Standard Male Toilets)

• There is a lift for public use.
• The lift is located diagonally to the right as you enter from the Catford Road Entrance.
• The lift is a platform lift.
• The platform lift accesses a small level change.
• Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
• The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Catford Road Entrance.
• Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
• The clear door width is 82cm (2ft 8in).
• The dimensions of the lift are 90cm x 143cm (2ft 11in x 4ft 8in).
• There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
• There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
• The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
• The lift does not have an audible announcer.
• The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
• The lift does not have Braille markings.
• The lift does have tactile markings.
• The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

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• Comments View
  • This lift can be used to overcome the steps at the rear of the foyer, giving access to Committee Rooms 1 and 2, and the standard male toilets on the lower level.
  • The lift was out of service when surveyed (July 2023).

You are on Other Floors. Skip to the next section.

Other Floors

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• Steps View
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
  • There are 15+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
  • There is a landing.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
• Comments View
  • Handrails may not be easy to grip.

You are on Lift (Main Lift). Skip to the next section.

Lift (Main Lift)

• There is a lift for public use.
• The lift is located in the reception lobby, opposite the Reception Desk.
• The lift is a standard lift.
• The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1-2.
• Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
• The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Catford Road Entrance.
• Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
• The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
• The dimensions of the lift are 90cm x 155cm (2ft 11in x 5ft 1in).
• 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 controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
• The lift does not have Braille markings.
• The lift does have tactile markings.
• The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

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• Comments View
  • Level 2 is for building facilities staff only (button disabled).
    
  • There is an additional lift adjacent to the standard female toilets, but this was out of use when surveyed (July 2023). It is shown in photographs 6 and 7.

You are on Committee Rooms. Skip to the next section.

Committee Rooms

• There are eight committee rooms within the Civic Suite.
  
• Committee rooms 1 and 2 have a dividing screen which can be pushed back to create one larger committee room.
  
• The rooms all have tables and a mixture of seating with and without armrests.

You are on Level Change (First Floor to Council Chamber). Skip to the next section.

Level Change (First Floor to Council Chamber)

• There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
• The ramp/slope is located to the left as you exit the lift on the first floor, leading up to the Council Chamber.
• The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
• The ramp/slope is permanent.
• There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
• The ramp does have handrails.
• The handrails are on the right going up.
• The width of the ramp/slope is 127cm (4ft 2in).
• There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
• The step(s) is/are located to the right of the ramp.
• There is/are 3 step(s) to the area/service.
• The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
• The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
• The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
• There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
• The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

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• Comments View
  • There is also a handrail on the left, but it only covers part of the ramp.

You are on Council Chamber. Skip to the next section.

Council Chamber

• The council chamber is located on the first floor, to the left as you exit the lift, or to the right at the top of the stairs.
  
• There are three alternative sets of double doors to enter the chamber, one of which is permanently held open and 169cm wide.
  
• Once through these doors, there are two ways of accessing the chamber. To the right are double automatic doors, which open towards you and are activated by a push pad 117cm high. To the left are double doors with the same specifications, but they are manual.
  
• Once inside the chamber, most of the seats are accessed by two medium height unmarked steps without handrails. However, the front right quarter of seats opposite you are accessed by just a slight ramp with handrail on the right going up, and the seats immediately to your left have level access (this is when you enter through the automatic doors on the right).
  
• The public viewing gallery is accessed via the Town Hall (a separate building), and is therefore not included in this guide.

You are on Accessible Toilet (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

• Accessible toilet facilities are available.

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• Location and Access View
  • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
  • This accessible toilet is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the Catford Road Entrance.
  • This accessible toilet is located diagonally to the right as you enter from the Catford Road Entrance, just beyond the reception desk.
  • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
• Features and Dimensions View
  • This is a shared toilet.
  • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The door is locked by a locking handle.
  • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
  • The door may be difficult to open.
  • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 159cm x 411cm (5ft 3in x 13ft 6in).
  • 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 the right.
  • The lateral transfer space is 79cm (2ft 7in).
  • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
  • There is a flush on the transfer side.
  • The tap type is lever.
  • There is a mixer tap.
  • There is an emergency alarm.
  • The emergency pull cord 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 a/are open waste paper bin disposal units.
  • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 111cm and 143cm from the floor.
• Position of Fixtures View
  • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
  • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
  • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
  • The shelf does not have the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
  • The shelf is at a height of 95cm.
  • The shelf is not located where it is reachable.
  • There is a mirror.
  • 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 47cm (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 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 wash basin.
  • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
• Colour Contrast and Lighting View
  • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
  • There is a medium colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
  • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) 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 low to moderate.

You are on Accessible Toilet (First Floor - Left Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet (First Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

• Accessible toilet facilities are available.

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• Location and Access View
  • There is tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
  • This accessible toilet is approximately 29m (31yd 2ft) from the Catford Road Entrance.
  • This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, straight ahead and to the left as you exit the lift.
  • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • This is by lift.
• Features and Dimensions View
  • This is a shared toilet.
  • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
  • The door opens by sliding (Bi-Fold).
  • The door is locked by a lever twist.
  • The width of the accessible toilet door is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 195cm x 208cm (6ft 5in x 6ft 10in).
  • 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 the left.
  • The lateral transfer space is 115cm (3ft 9in).
  • 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 an emergency alarm.
  • The emergency pull cord 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 a/are sanitary and general domestic waste disposal units.
  • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • The height of the coat hook is 156cm from the floor.
• Position of Fixtures View
  • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
  • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
  • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
  • The shelf has the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
  • The shelf is at a height of 76cm.
  • The shelf is not located where it is reachable.
  • There is a mirror.
  • Mirrors are not 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 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 a towel dispenser.
  • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The height of the towel dispenser is 105cm (3ft 5in).
  • 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
• Colour Contrast and Lighting View
  • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
  • There is a medium colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
  • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) 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 fair.
  • The lighting levels are good.
• Comments View
  • There is braille and written text signage, but this only indicates that the facility is also a gender neutral toilet.

You are on Standard Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet(s)

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• Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
• Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
  • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the left as you enter the building.
  • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Catford Road Entrance.
  • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female toilet(s).
  • Lighting levels in the female toilets are good.
• Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
  • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the lower ground floor, to the left outside Committee Room 1.
  • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Catford Road Entrance.
  • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the male toilet(s).
  • Lighting levels in the male toilets are good.
• Comments View
  • There are 5 steps to access the standard male toilets from the lower level of the foyer. These steps are inside the toilets (see separate Level Change section).
    
  • There are 9 steps to access the standard female toilets from the upper level of the foyer. These steps are inside the toilets (see separate Level Change section).

You are on Level Change (Standard Female Toilets). Skip to the next section.

Level Change (Standard Female Toilets)

• There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
• The step(s) is/are located straight ahead as you enter the toilets from the upper foyer.
• There is/are 9 step(s) to the area/service.
• The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
• The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
• The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
• There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
• The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.

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• Comments View
  • The going of the steps is under 30cm.
    
  • The handrails are not easy to grip and do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.

You are on Level Change (Standard Male Toilets). Skip to the next section.

Level Change (Standard Male Toilets)

• There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
• The step(s) is/are located to the left as you enter the toilets from the lower foyer.
• There is/are 5 step(s) to the area/service.
• The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
• The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
• The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
• There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
• The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.

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• Comments View
  • The going of the steps is under 30cm.
    
  • The handrails are not easy to grip and do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.

You are on Additional Info. Skip to the next section.

Additional Info

• Documents can be requested in Braille.
• Documents can be requested in large print.
• A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
• An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
• The assistance dog toilet area is located on the grass outside the Catford Road Entrance.
• A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
• This service can be requested.