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Balham Rail Station

Balham Station Road, SW12 9SG

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Access Guide

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Station Overview

  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the route from the ticketing hall to the lift for the platforms.
    • The following areas have stepped access: Platforms 3 and 4.
    • the platforms can be accessed via a standard lift.
    • Platforms 3 and 4 are not in general use.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is a member of staff available for assistance.
    • There is a ticket counter and a self-serve touchscreen at this station.
    • Help points are available in the ticket hall and on all platforms.
    • Announcements in the main ticketing/concourse area are audio and visual.
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair and walking aids.
    • Additional equipment which can be borrowed or hired includes: a walking stick.
    • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: Large print (on request).
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Staff receive the following training: online courses, and regular internal briefings.
  • Related Access Guides View

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on Platform 1.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on Platform 1.
    • The male step-free standard toilet facilities are located on Platform 2.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations on Platform 1.

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking is available.
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Chestnut Grove.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.

Entrance (Balham Station Road)

  • This entrance is located on Balham Station Road, near the junction with Balham High Road.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 290cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Ticketing

  • Ticket Counter View
    • The ticket counter surveyed is located ahead from the Balham Station Road entrance, on the right.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 97cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has windows.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • Self-Service Ticket Machines View
    • There is step-free level access to the self-service ticket machines.
    • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 99cm to 121cm from the floor.

Barriers

  • The standard barrier width is 62cm.
  • The wider ticket barrier opening width is 90cm.
  • There are fixed ticket readers.
  • The ticket slot heights for the barriers are 91cm (insert ticket) and 104cm (remove ticket) from the floor.
  • The contactless card reader height is 100cm from the floor.
  • The scanner height is 81cm from the floor.
  • The ticket barriers may vary in height.
  • Assistance is available at the ticket barrier.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have stepped access: Platforms 3 and 4.
  • Platforms 3 and 4 are not in general use.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • There may be background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located straight ahead after the ticket barriers, then on the right after turning right.
  • The distance from the ticket barriers is 30m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has a slight ramp or slope.
  • The concourse and the platforms are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 109cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 154cm (width) x 158cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located straight ahead after the ticket barriers, then on the left after turning right.
  • The concourse and the platforms can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Counter (Platform 1 - Information Point)

  • The counter is located on Platform 1.
  • The distance from the lift is 55m.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 101cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • The counter has windows.
  • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • 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: benches.
  • The seating is fixed.

Platforms

  • There are 4 platforms at this station.
  • The following platforms have step-free level access via lift: 1 and 2.
  • The following platforms have stepped access: 3 and 4.
  • Platforms 3 and 4 are not in general use.
  • All platforms have tactile markings along the platform edge.
  • All platforms have clear markings along the platform edge.
  • Announcements on platforms are audio and visual.
  • All platforms have help points.
  • All platforms have seating.
  • Seating available on the platforms includes: benches.
  • Access to the train is via a portable ramp.

Toilet with Adaptations (Platform 1 - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on Platform 1.
    • The distance from the lift is 35m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free access via ramp into the facility.
    • The ramp has a slight gradient.
    • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
    • There is pictorial, written text and ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 140cm (width) x 270cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 72cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 47cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a toilet roll holder.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 89cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 102cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is a locked gate into to the facility.
    • A member of staff must be notified to unlock the gate.
    • The open gate width is 87cm.