Access Guide
Overview
- About View
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue has its own car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
- The nearest train station is Darlington.
- This station has step-free access.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Traveline (opens new tab).
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Getting In and Around
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- There is step-free access via a slight slope at the most accessible entrance.
- The most accessible entrance is the main entrance.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- There are no doors along circulation routes.
- Access throughout may include pillars.
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Getting Help and Assistance
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- Seating is available.
- There are fixed hearing assistance systems.
- There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
- There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
- Related Access Guides View
Toilet and Changing Facilities
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Toilet Facilities
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- There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
- The toilet with adaptations is located to the rear of the building, on the right side.
- The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
- Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the standard toilets, to the rear of the building.
- Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located to the rear of the building, on the right side.
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Changing Facilities
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- Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations, to the rear of the building.
Parking
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Car Park
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- The car park is located on the left and right hand sides of the building.
- The car park is open air/surface.
- The car park surface consists of tarmac.
- There are 6 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
- The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
- The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 229cm (width) x 478cm (depth).
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
- There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
- The width of the marked zone is 128cm.
- The nearest designated bay is 49m from the main entrance.
- The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight slope.
- There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- Parking is free for all users.
- Free parking is restricted to 2 hours.
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Electric Vehicle Charging Points
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- There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
- There are 29 electric vehicle charging points.
- The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 371cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
- The controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The nozzle holster is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- You do not need an online account to use the charging point.
- Payment can be made with a credit/debit card (contactless).
Entrance
- This entrance is located at the front of the building.
- The entrance area is not clearly signed.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is sloped and stepped access at the entrance.
- The slope bypasses the steps.
- The slope has a slight gradient.
- There are 7 steps as you enter.
- There are handrails on both sides and also a central handrail.
- 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 steps are clearly marked.
- The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
- The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
- There are double automatic doors, which are push pad activated.
- The height of the push pad is 93cm.
- The doors open towards you.
- The width of the opening is 137cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a low colour contrast.
- There is a second set of double automatic doors, which are push pad activated.
- The height of the push pad is 88cm.
- The doors are permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 150cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a low colour contrast.
- There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 88cm.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is step-free level access throughout walkways.
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Circulation
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- There are no doors to open along circulation routes.
- Access throughout may include narrow openings and pillars.
- There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
- Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
- There may be background noise.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- The colour, design and typeface of signage is consistent throughout.
- Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests.
- Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
Food and Drink
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Restaurant Bar Café 1
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- Burger King is located at the end of the left hand side walkway.
- The most accessible route has step-free level access.
- There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
- This route has bollards.
- There is step-free level access into this area.
- There is an opening without doors.
- The width of the opening is more than 200cm.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- There is a payment counter.
- The surface height is 91cm.
- Menu types include: wall-mounted (digital) and touchscreen.
- The following are available: a hearing assistance system, drinking straws, takeaway cups, takeaway cutlery, gluten free food, lactose free food and dairy free food.
- 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.
- Some flooring is shiny.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, sofas and high stools.
- Some seating is fixed.
- Furniture available in this area includes: tables and high tables.
- The tables are fixed.
- The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- There may be background noise in this area.
- Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
- The range of height for the ordering touchscreens is 119cm - 178cm.
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Restaurant Bar Café 2
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- KFC is located along the left hand side walkway as you enter.
- The most accessible route has step-free level access.
- There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
- There is step-free level access into this area.
- There is open plan access.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- There is a payment counter.
- The surface height is 94cm.
- Menu types include: wall-mounted (digital) and touchscreen.
- The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups, takeaway cutlery, gluten free food, lactose free food and dairy free food.
- 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.
- Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
- Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
- The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- There may be background noise in this area.
- Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
- The range of height for the ordering touchscreens is 119cm - 178cm.
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Restaurant Bar Café 3
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- Costa is located ahead and to the left as you enter.
- The most accessible route has step-free level access.
- There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
- There is step-free level access into this area.
- There is an opening without doors.
- The width of the opening is more than 200cm.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- There is a payment counter.
- The surface height is 96cm.
- Menu types include: wall-mounted and countertop.
- The following are available: a hearing assistance system, drinking straws, takeaway cups, takeaway cutlery, gluten free food, lactose free food and dairy free food.
- 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.
- Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
- Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
- The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- There may be background noise in this area.
- Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
Shop (WH Smith)
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Access to the Shop
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- WH Smith is located ahead and to the right as you enter.
- The most accessible route has step-free level access.
- There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
- There is step-free level access into the shop.
- There is an opening without doors.
- The width of the opening is 148cm.
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Shop
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- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- The majority of main aisle widths are over 180cm.
- The majority of product aisle widths are between 120cm - 150cm.
- Some aisles did have obstructions at the time of the survey, these included: product bins and product displays.
- Product displays/containers that may be more difficult for some to reach or open include: low shelving, high shelving, self-closing (pull handle) display cabinets, sliding top cabinets and open top cabinets.
- Some flooring is shiny.
- There may be background noise.
- There is product signage.
- Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
- Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
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Payment Counters and Checkouts
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- The payment counter is located to the left as you enter the store.
- Signage is provided for the counter.
- Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
- The height of the counter is 105cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The card payment machine is at a height of 124cm.
- The payment machine is portable.
- There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
- The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
- Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
Shop (M&S Food)
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Access to the Shop
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- M&S Food is located to the right as you enter.
- The most accessible route has step-free level access.
- There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
- There is step-free level access into the shop.
- There is an opening without doors.
- The width of the opening is 185cm.
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Shop
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- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- The majority of main aisle widths are between 150cm - 180cm.
- Some aisles did have obstructions at the time of the survey, these included: product bins and product displays.
- Product displays/containers that may be more difficult for some to reach or open include: low shelving, high shelving and open top cabinets.
- Some flooring is shiny.
- There may be background noise.
- There is product signage.
- Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
- Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
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Payment Counters and Checkouts
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- The payment counter is located to the right as you enter the store.
- Signage is not provided for the counter.
- The height of the counter is 90cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The card payment machine is at a height of 99cm.
- The payment machine is portable.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
- Self-service checkouts are available.
- The self-service checkout surveyed was a standard touchscreen.
- The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 121cm to 141cm from the floor.
- The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: a Call for Assistance button.
- The height of the scanner is 108cm.
- The height of the loading area is 60cm.
- The height of the packing area is 60cm.
- The card payment machine is at a height of 108cm.
- The payment machine is at a fixed height.
- Assistance is available at the self-serve checkouts.
Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)
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Location
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- The toilet surveyed is located to the rear of the building, on the right hand side.
- The distance from the main entrance is 23m.
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Route
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- The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
- There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
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Access
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- There is step-free level access into the facility.
- There is pictorial 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 88cm.
- The door has a locking handle.
- Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
- There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a medium colour contrast.
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Dimensions and Features
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- The dimensions of the cubicle are 156cm (width) x 227cm (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 79cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
- There is a spatula 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 47cm from the floor.
- The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
- The toilet roll holder is 86cm 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 73cm 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 91cm from the floor.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
- The hand dryer has a high colour contrast.
- The hand dryer is 85cm from the floor.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is no shelf.
- The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
- There is one coat hook.
- The coat hook is 162cm from the floor.
- The height of the baby change facility when in use is 79cm.
- The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
