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River Church

Key Street, Ipswich, IP4 1BZ

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include a Church of England church affiliated to the HTB Network, a café, meeting rooms and a therapy room.

Opening Times

  • Opening times for the venue vary according to bookings/events taking place.
  • Comments View
    • The church and café is generally open from 09:00-17:00, Monday to Saturday, and from 09:00-20:00 on Sundays.
    • Services are held at 10:00 and 18:00 on Sundays.
    • At times, all or part of the venue may be hired out or used for special events or functions, meaning opening times may vary - please see website for details.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Ipswich.

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • The name of the car park is Premier Inn Car Park.
    • The car park is located in front of the church, off Foundation Street.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car park.
  • On Street Blue Badge Parking View
    • On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
  • On Street Standard Parking View
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • Parking charges apply to all users of the Premier Inn Car Park, including Blue Badge holders. The tariff is £6 per day for Premier Inn guests, or £8 per day for the general public. Charges apply at all times.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the church, on Foundation Street.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are easy to open.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 127cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face 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.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • There is/are 2 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up.
    • 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.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played in the café.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Meeting Rooms

  • There are several meeting rooms available for hire. These are located at the far end of the church as you enter. The Quay and Gipping Rooms are located on the Ground Floor, while the Star, Wherry, Flint and Eden Rooms are located on the first floor, accessed via the stairs or platform lift. All doors to the rooms open away from you (push), are hard to open (heavy), and are 76cm wide. Some of the rooms have desks, all of which have a clear floor space of 69cm.

Therapy Room

  • The Therapy Room (Orwell Room) is located at the far end of the church as you enter, on the ground floor. The door opens away from you (push), is hard to open (heavy) and has an opening width of 76cm. The room is available to hire - please visit the church's website for more information.

Other Floors (Meeting Rooms)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • There is not a landing.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • These stairs are bypassed by the platform lift.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the far end of the church as you enter, next to the meeting rooms.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 29m (31yd 2ft) from the Main Entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 81cm (2ft 8in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 82cm x 141cm (2ft 8in x 4ft 8in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Main Entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located through the door to the right as you enter the building.
    • 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.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 142cm x 209cm (4ft 8in x 6ft 10in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 71cm (2ft 4in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary and waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 171cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the right.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 78cm (2ft 7in).
  • Comments View
    • The door to access the toilet area from the church is double width (with one leaf locked) and 84cm wide. It opens away from you (push), and is hard to open (heavy). It also has poor colour contrast with the surrounding wood panelling.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located through the door to the right as you enter the building.
    • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Main Entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels in the shared toilets are moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
  • Comments View
    • The door to access the toilet area from the church is double width (with one leaf locked) and 84cm wide. It opens away from you (push), and is hard to open (heavy). It also has poor colour contrast with the surrounding wood panelling.
    • There are similar standard toilets in the far corner of the church, next to the meeting rooms and lift on the ground floor.

Additional Info

  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located in the churchyard.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.