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Tunbridge Wells Common

c/o The Conservators, Town Hall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1RS

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Tunbridge Wells Common, along with Rusthall Common, is an area of public open space extending to 104 hectares (256 acres).
  • It is owned by the Manor of Rusthall, managed by the Conservators and funded by the Borough Council.
  • The Commons are famous for their sandstone outcrops such as the Toad Rock and Wellington Rocks.
  • There is a cricket ground on the Common, opposite the car park on Fir Tree Road.

Opening Times

  • The common is open 24 hours per day.
  • The paths do not have lighting.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Tunbridge Wells.
  • Comments View
    • Tunbridge Wells Common is land bounded by Mount Ephraim to the North, London Road to the East and Eridge Road to the South.
    • It is crossed by Major Yorks Road.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • There is/are 0 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • 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 uneven surfaces.
    • The car park surface is loose chippings.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The maximum height is 201cm (6ft 7in).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • Signage indicates a maximum stay of four hours (Photograph 4).

General Information

  • There are many wide tarmac footpaths across the Common.
  • Some have steep gradients (Photograph 2).
  • Some wheelchair users may require assistance to use these paths.
  • There are also many other paths in the wooded areas which are unmade, uneven and likely to be muddy.
  • There are steps along some of these routes.
  • There are many benches around the Common, with some along the main paths. Some are sited away from them on grassy areas (Photograph 5).

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 100m (109yd 1ft) from the car park and 50m from Mount Ephraim Road.
    • This accessible toilet is located in the toilet block, close to the Wellington Rocks.
    • There is not level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is a radar key.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 185cm x 185cm (6ft 1in x 6ft 1in).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is push.
    • 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 not available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • 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 both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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 can 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 colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Level Change (Accessible Toilet)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the door.
  • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on the left going up.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 120cm (3ft 11in).

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located in the toilet block, close to the Wellington Rocks.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 100m (109yd 1ft) from the car park and 50m from Mount Ephraim Road.
    • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilets.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • There is one shallow step to access the standard toilets at the door shown in Photograph 2 (female and male).

Level Change (Toilet Block)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located leading up to the toilet block from the path from the car park.
  • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located to the right of the toilet block.
  • There is/are 2 step(s) to the area/service.
  • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • Both the accessible and standard toilets are located in this toilet block.
    • The toilet block is located approcimately 20m from one of the main paths.
    • The path which leads to the toilet block is sloping, made of tarmac but uneven and partly overgrown with moss.
    • The steps at the right hand end of the building lead directly onto a grassy slope.
    • Both the female and male standard toilets have a further step up at their entrances.