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Newcastle Cathedral (The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas)

St Nicholas Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1PF

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via a slight ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible entrance is the East entrance.
    • There is stepped access at the main entrance.
    • There are 2 other entrances.
    • 1 of the other entrances has step-free level access.
    • 1 of the other entrances has stepped access.
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • Doors are held open along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include narrow walkways and pillars.
    • Levels -1 to 1 can be accessed via a platform lift.
    • At the time of survey the West entrance was under refurbishment and unusable, this would have been the most accessible entrance.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • Seating is available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located straight ahead from the East entrance.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the standard toilets.
    • Gender neutral step-free standard toilet facilities are located straight ahead from the East entrance.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located on level -2.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations on level -1, and within the standard toilets on level -2.

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking and standard parking is available.
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on St Nicolas Street and just outside the South entrance.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted and have markings which are faded.

Entrance (East)

  • This entrance is located to the east end of the cathedral.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not 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 10 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 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.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 101cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a medium colour contrast.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access between floors via platform lift.
    • Levels -2 to 1 have step-free access via lift.
    • After entering the East entrance at level -1, there are several level changes overcome by different lifts and ramps.
    • There is a platform lift to access level -1 and -2, where there are standard toilets, ambulant toilets and baby change.
    • There is an enclosed platform lift for access between level -1, 0 (refectory) and 1 (education centre).
    • Through to the eastern chapels area of the cathedral there is a platform lift and a ramp for access between level -1 and 0 (the main nave level).
    • At the time of survey the lift within the main cathedral was not working and is overcome by a ramp.
    • Access to levels -1 (entrance and East chapels) and 0 (main cathedral) is via a steep portable ramp.
    • There are also small slight ramps between the quire aisles and the quire.
  • Circulation View
    • Doors are held open along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include narrow walkways and pillars.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the walls and floor along most 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 and benches.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Reception (Information Desk)

  • Location View
    • The reception is located to the far left corner from the east entrance, next to the South entrance.
    • The distance from the East entrance is 40m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has a steep ramp.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • This route has narrow walkways.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 100cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 75cm.
    • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
    • 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: chairs without armrests and benches.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • There is a small display of items that can be purchased at the information desk.

Lift (Level -1 to -2)

  • The lift surveyed is located on the right when entering from the East entrance.
  • The distance from the entrance is 3m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • Platform Lift View
    • Levels -1 (the entrance) and -2 (volunteers hub & toilets) can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 400kg.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 102cm (width) x 143cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
    • The lift is slow moving.
    • This lift has a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
    • The door to enter the lift is 102cm wide.

Lift (Level -1 to 0)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left from the East entrance.
  • The distance from the entrance is 13m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • Platform Lift View
    • Level -1 to 0 can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 225kg.
    • The control buttons have a varying colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
    • The lift is slow moving.
    • This lift was not working at the time of survey, the steps are overcome by a ramp.

Lift (Levels -1 to 1)

  • The lift surveyed is located straight ahead from the East entrance.
  • The distance from the entrance is 8m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • This lift is an enclosed platform lift.
  • Enclosed Platform Lift View
    • Level -1 (the entrance) and 1 can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a low colour contrast.
    • The lift does not have a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 410kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 78cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 90cm (width) x 132cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
    • The lift is slow moving.
    • Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
    • The lift has a separate door to exit.
    • Lighting levels vary due to there being different types of lights in the space.

Eating and Drinking (Refectory)

  • Location and Access View
    • The refectory/café is to the right from the east entrance and up one level.
    • The most accessible route has a platform lift.
    • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There are double manual doors.
    • The doors are permanently held open.
    • The doors are easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 117cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
    • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • Order and Payment View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
    • The service counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located to the left of the entrance door.
    • There is step-free level access to 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 payment machine is portable.
  • Service View
    • This area also has staff who can provide assistance with ordering.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menu types include: wall-mounted, menu boards, countertop, handheld and large print.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating 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.
    • The walls and floor have a low colour contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located straight ahead from the east entrance.
    • The distance from the east entrance is 10m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • This route has narrow walkways.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text 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 86cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 136cm (width) x 303cm (depth).
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 70cm (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 low colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 110cm 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 70cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a low 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 medium colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm 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 90cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 173cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 105cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.