Access Guide
Summary
- The venue is in a pedestrian area.
- Services / facilities within the grounds include a range of retail stores and coffee shops.
Opening Times
- Monday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Tuesday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Wednesday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Thursday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Friday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Saturday 09:00 - 18:00.
- Sunday 10:30 - 16:30.
Getting Here
- When coming from the west, drive east on the A12 and exit the A12 on to the Spring Lane roundabout. Take the third exit on to Cymbeline Way and follow the road round to the left on to Lexden Road. Follow this road for a while, all the way to Southway and go straight over the roundabout. Then take the first left on to Headgate and follow this road to Head Street, Culver Square will be to the right of this street. When coming from the east, drive west on the A120 and exit the A120 so that you're driving south on Ipswich Road. Follow this road for a while, going straight over the first roundabout you come across and then take the second exit at the second roundabout so that you're on Cowdray Avenue. Follow this road round to the left so that you're driving east, go straight over the first roundabout and left at the second so that you're on Westway. Then take the third exit at the next roundabout so that you're on Balkerne Hill and follow this road until you reach another roundabout. Take this first exit onto Southway and then take the first left on to Headgate and follow this road to Head Street, Culver Square will be to the right of this street.
- There are a very limited number of Blue Badge bays at the shopping centre available for visitors that must be booked in advanced with security.
- For more information on getting to the Culver Square Shopping Centre please click here (opens new tab).
- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the shopping centre.
- Bus stops Ea, Eb, Ec and Ed are situated along Head Street.
- For more information on Essex Highways please click here (opens new tab).
- The nearest railway station is Colchester Town.
- Colchester Town station is approximately 0.5 mile from Culver Square. There is step-free access throughout this station.
- For more information on Colchester Town Station please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on National Rail please click here (opens new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- for information on Culver Square's shopmobility please click here (new tab).
- Guest services associates, Security officers and Cleaning operatives receive Autism Awareness training.
- There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language. Please phone the venue in advance for more information
- There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
- The venue does not offer a quiet shopping experience.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- There are not mobility aids available.
- To view the Culver Square map please click here (opens in new tab).
Parking (Blue Badge Parking)
- The shopping centre does have its own limited parking facilities.
- The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
- The car park is located in the basement of the shopping centre.
- The car park type is underground.
- The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
- The maximum height of the restriction barrier is 450cm (14ft 9in).
- The car park does have a barrier control system.
- The car park surface is concrete.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
- There is/are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 234cm x 480cm (7ft 8in x 15ft 9in).
- There is a 120cm marked zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
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Parking
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- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
- Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
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Paying
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- There are no parking charges for the car park.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
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Access from the Car Park
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- 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 slopes/ramps.
- The entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
- The route from the car park to the entrance is not clearly signposted.
- The surface on the approach to the entrance is concrete.
- There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Blue Badge parking to Culver Square lift.
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Drop-off Point(s)
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- There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).
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Comments
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- Upon arrival of the parking, you trade your Blue Badge for a key that gives you access to the lift that accesses the shopping centre from the car park. Upon exiting the car park, you must return the key for your Blue Badge.
- Blue Badge holders must pre-register to be able to use the Blue Badge parking.
Ramp(s) or Slope(s) (Blue Badge Parking to Lift)
- There is a ramp/slope located to the left as you face the Blue Badge bays.
- The ramp/slope is used to access the lift to access Culver Square from the Blue Badge bays.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 132cm (4ft 4in).
- The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.
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Comments
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- There is a similar ramp to the right as you face the Blue Badge bays (shown in photographs 5 and 6).
Lift (Blue Badge Parking - Culver Square)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the rear of the Blue Badge parking.
- Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are B and G (Culver Square).
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do not contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is low.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is medium.
- The clear door width is 182cm (5ft 12in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 200cm x 284cm (6ft 7in x 9ft 4in).
- There are no separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is not a list of floor services available within 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.
- There is not a hearing loop system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting levels in the lift are good.
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Comments
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- This lift is only used by visitors using the Blue Badge bays.
- A key is needed to operate the lift which can be obtained by a member of staff upon arrival.
- You will need to exchange your Blue Badge to obtain the key, and upon returning the key you can retrieve your Blue Badge.
Outside Access (Culver Square - Blue Badge Parking Lift)
- This information is for the entrance located in the centre of Culver Square.
- This entrance gives access to the lift that gives access between the Blue Badge parking and Culver Square.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- The height of the intercom is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 106cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located beyond the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are low.
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Comments
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- To access this door from the outside you must ring the intercom and speak to a member of staff.
- The door release button used to exit this door from the inside is 134cm high.
Public Car Parks Nearby
- St John’s Car Park is situated just off Southway, approximately a 0.3 mile walk from Culver Square Shopping Centre.
- There are approximately 645 parking spaces in the car park.
- For more information on St John’s Car Park please click here (opens in new tab)
- Osborne Street Car Park is situated off Osborne Street, approximately a 0.3 mile walk from Culver Square Shopping Centre.
- There are approximately 601 parking spaces in the car park.
- For more information on Osborne Street Car Park please click here (opens in new tab).
Step(s) (St Johns Street to Sir Isaacs Walk)
- There is a/are step(s) located to the south of Culver Square, between St Johns Street and Sir Isaacs Walk.
- The step(s) is/are used to access Sir Isaacs Walk from St Johns Street.
- There is/are 27 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are in the centre.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not easy to grip.
- Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
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Comments
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- There are 22 steps to the right (going up) with a much longer going that have handrails on the left going up, and on the right going up for half of the steps.
Access Point (Sir Isaacs Walk)
- This information is for the access point located off Sir Isaacs Walk.
- This access point gives access to Culver Square.
- The access point is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
- There are bollards at this access point.
- The minimum width between the bollards is 180cm.
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Access Point
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- The bollards do not have an identification band to aid visually impaired people.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the access point.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
Ramp(s) or Slope(s) (Sir Isaacs Walk to Culver Square)
- There is a ramp/slope located leading to Culver Square from Sir Isaacs Walk.
- The ramp/slope is used to access the centre of Culver Square.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
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Comments
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- There is bench seating halfway up the slope that can be used as a resting point (shown in photograph 3).
Access Point (Culver Street West)
- This information is for the access point located off Culver Street West.
- This access point gives access to Culver Square.
- The access point is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
- There are bollards at this access point.
- The minimum width between the bollards is 194cm.
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Access Point
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- The bollards do not have an identification band to aid visually impaired people.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the access point.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
External Area(s) (Culver Square Shopping Centre)
- Digital wayfinders are not available.
- Information posts are provided to aid wayfinding.
- Dementia friendly signs are provided to aid wayfinding.
- No wayfinding signage is provided in this area.
- This external area is not covered.
- The type of flooring in this area is stone/concrete paving.
- There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The following types of seating can be found in this area; stone seating and wooden benches.
- There are some centrally located kiosks or shops along walkways in this area.
- Background music is played in this area.
- Background music is played throughout Culver Square Shopping Centre.
- There is step free access in this area.
- The majority of Culver Square is level, with some parts of the shopping centre being on uneven surfaces.
- There is a slight slope located to the south of Culver Square that gives access between Sir Isaacs Walk and Culver Square.
- There are steps to the south of Culver Square that gives access between St Johns Road and Sir Isaacs Walk.
Accessible Toilet(s)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located to the south of Culver Square, along Sir Isaacs Walk.
- There is step-free access to the accessible toilet.
- Clear wayfinding signage for the toilet(s) is not provided.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is required for the accessible toilet.
- The key is a radar key.
- The key can be obtained from security.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is easy to open.
- There is no lock for the toilet door.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 176cm x 222cm (5ft 9in x 7ft 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 102cm (3ft 4in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by the female sanitary bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is 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.
- There is 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 a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 142cm from the floor.
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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 48cm (1ft 7in).
- 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 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 90cm.
- 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 120cm (3ft 11in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 106cm (3ft 6in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- 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 good.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located along Sir Isaacs Walk.
- There is step-free access to the female toilet(s).
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- 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 sensor.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
- Lighting levels are good.
- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located along Sir Isaacs Walk.
- There is step-free access to the male toilet(s).
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- There is a lowered urinal available.
- The height of the lowered urinal is 54cm.
- There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the lowered urinal.
- The lowered urinal does contrast visually with the wall.
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair in front of the lowered urinal (90cm x 140cm).
- 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 sensor.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
- Lighting levels are good.
- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located in the female and male standard toilets.
- There is step-free access to the baby change facilities.
- 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 86cm (2ft 10in).
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Comments
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- There are 4 sensor taps and 1 push tap within the female toilets.
- There are 2 sensor taps and 2 push taps within the male toilets.