Access Guide
Getting Here
-
By Road
View
- Exit Junction 4 M58, head into Skelmersdale.
There is a public car park located at the front of the building.
There is also a staff-only car park to the rear of the building with a drop-off point.
The Centre needs to be notified if the drop-off point is required.
- Exit Junction 4 M58, head into Skelmersdale.
-
By Bus
View
- The nearest bus stop is Skelmersdale War Memorial, approximately 0.2 miles away.
-
By Train
View
- The nearest train station is Wigan North Western, approximately 9.3 miles away.
Public Parking
-
Public Car Park
View
- There is a car park for public use within approximately 200m (219yd).
-
Comments
View
- There is staff parking at the rear of the Centre.
Bus Stop(s) and Drop-off Point(s)
-
Bus Stop(s)
View
- There is not an onsite bus stop.
-
Drop-off Point(s)
View
- There is a/are clearly marked onsite drop-off point(s).
- There is a drop-off point at the rear of the Centre.
- The drop-off point is outside the rear entrance, which has a steep ramp and steps for access.
This entrance was not being used due to Covid-19 restrictions at the time of our visit (20/05/2021).
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
-
Entrance Details
View
- 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 not 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 110cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 109cm.
-
Ramp/Slope Details
View
- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- 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 the left going up.
Outside Access (Rear Entrance)
-
Entrance Details
View
- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- There is not 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 (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 90cm.
-
Ramp/Slope Details
View
- The ramp/slope is located to the left 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 ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
-
Step Details
View
- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 6 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides going up.
-
Comments
View
- This entrance was not being used due to Covid-19 restrictions at the time of our visit (20/05/2021).
Reception
-
Reception
View
- The reception point is located ahead as you enter.
- The reception point is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) 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 moderate to good.
- The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- The counter is not staffed.
- There is not a bell to attract attention.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
-
Reception Waiting Area
View
- There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
- Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
- There is bench seating and also a mixture of single seats with and without armrests.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- 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 a television.
- Subtitles are available.
- 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.
Getting Around The Building
-
Access
View
- There is step free access throughout the majority of the building.
-
Circulation
View
- There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
- There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- There is flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- 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 moderate to good.
-
Signage
View
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
-
Safe Place(s)
View
- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
-
Audio
View
- This venue does not play background music in public areas.
- There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.
Waiting Area(s)
- There is a/are waiting area(s) along the circulation route(s).
- There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
- There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area(s).
- There is not a/are not flashing fire alarm beacon(s) within the waiting area(s).
Other Floors
-
Stairs
View
- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
- 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 not 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 not 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 provided on landings.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
-
Other
View
- The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the dental practice.
Accessible Toilet(s)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
-
Location and Access
View
- This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the building.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
-
Features and Dimensions
View
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
- The door is light.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 152cm x 340cm (4ft 12in x 11ft 2in).
- 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 70cm (2ft 4in).
- 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 a spatula type lever flush.
- There is not an emergency alarm.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are female sanitary, clinical waste and pedal bin disposal units.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
-
Position of Fixtures
View
- 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 right.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left 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 not a standard shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is not a colostomy changing shelf for standing users next to the toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- 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 90cm (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 69cm (2ft 3in).
- 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 116cm.
- 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 109cm (3ft 7in).
- There is not a hand dryer.
-
Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
- 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 moderate to good.
-
Baby Changing Facilities
View
- Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- The baby change table is not height adjustable.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 93cm (3ft 1in).