Access Guide
Getting Here
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By Road
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- From the A50 take the Blurton Road junction towards Fenton.
After 60m turn left at the T-junction to Grove Road.
Heron House is 0.5km on the right. - There is on-site parking available with Blue Badge bays.
- From the A50 take the Blurton Road junction towards Fenton.
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By Bus
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- The D&G bus service number 40 from Longton Interchange to Fenton stops outside Heron House.
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By Train
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- The nearest railway station is Longton with frequent local services from Stoke-on-Trent mainline railway station which has direct links with Crewe, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Derby, and Scotland.
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Useful Links
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- D&G bus service information.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- East Midlands Railway Services to Longton Interchange.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- CrossCountry Trains serving Stoke-on-Trent.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Parking
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Parking
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- The venue does have a dedicated car park.
- The car park is located to the side and rear of the building.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park does not have a barrier control system.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
- There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 260cm x 480cm (8ft 6in x 15ft 9in).
- There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
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Paying
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- There are not parking charges for the car park.
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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 clearly visible from the car park.
- The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
- There is some tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
Bus Stop(s) and Drop-off Point(s)
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Bus Stop(s)
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- There is not an onsite bus stop.
- There are bus stops on Grove Road, close to Heron House.
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Drop-off Point(s)
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- There is not a/are not clearly marked onsite drop-off point(s).
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- The entrance area/door is 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 not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 94cm.
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Ramp/Slope Details
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- The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- 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 going up.
- The width of the ramp or slope is 110cm (3ft 7in).
Outside Access (Rear Entrance)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building, off the car park.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is step free 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 main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 98cm.
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Comments
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- This entrance is generally a staff entrance opened with a pass card.
- The entrance is adjacent to the accessible meeting room and arrangements can be made to admit visitors at this entrance where it is convenient.
- There is an intercom at a height of 170cm adjacent to the doors.
- There are also Blue Badge bays in the car park adjacent to this entrance.
Reception
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Reception
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- The reception point is located to the right as you enter.
- The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the main entrance.
- The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to the reception point.
- There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
- There are windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
- The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
- The height of the reception counter is high (110cm+).
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
- Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
- The type of flooring is carpet.
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
- There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is not a television.
- Vending machines are not available.
- A water dispenser is not available.
- There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Comments
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- The lowered section is a flip-up desk (awaiting repair at the time of the survey) adjacent to the enquiry window.
Getting Around The Building
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Access
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- There is step free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
- There is/are 4 clearly marked step(s), with a handrail on the left going up, for access to meeting rooms 2 and 3 in the basement.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- Photograph 5 shows the steps with a domestic style stair lift. The lift does not turn to access the upper landing. There are accessible meeting rooms which can be made available.
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Circulation
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- There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is carpet.
- Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors.
- There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
- The lighting levels are varied.
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Signage
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- Wayfinding signage is not provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
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Safe Place(s)
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- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
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Audio
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- This venue does not play background music in public areas.
Meeting Room
- Meeting room 4 on the ground floor, adjacent to the rear entrance, is the most accessible.
- The underside of the table is 72cm from the floor.
- A portable hearing loop can be made available if required.
- Lighting levels are good.
Other Floors
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Stairs
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- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on the basement floor.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, G, 1, 2.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are not provided on landings.
- The lighting levels are good.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in the stairwell, to the left as you enter.
- Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are B, G, 1, 2.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- Lighting levels are not at least 100 lux at floor level in the lift lobby.
- 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 fair.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 125cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 1in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is 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 not have an audible announcer.
- The internal 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 level in the lift is low to moderate.
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Comments
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- The alarm system in the lift is inoperative, therefore the lift may only be used between 08:30 and 16:00 on weekdays.
- The lift is checked every 30minutes.
Accessible Toilet(s)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located in the stairwell on the ground floor, adjacent to the lift.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 23m (25yd 6in) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The door opens inwards and outwards.
- The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
- The door is light.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 190cm x 210cm (6ft 3in x 6ft 11in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The toilet has 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 125cm (4ft 1in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are pedal bin and female sanitary disposal units.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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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 the left.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the right hand side of the wash basin.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- There is a standard shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The shelf is not between 90cm and 100cm.
- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The toilet has a backrest.
- 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).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- 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).
- The height of the wash basin is 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 92cm.
- 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 122cm (4ft).
- There is not a hand dryer.
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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 poor.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are good.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the ground, first and second floors.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- This is by lift.
- There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
- Lighting levels are good.