Access Guide
Introduction
- Related link Tennis Centre.
- Http://www.disabledgo.com/en/access-guide/tunbridge-wells-tennis-centre/tunbridge-wells-borough-coun
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Comments
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- The Tennis Centre is located in a separate building on the same site, please see the separate guide for access information.
Opening Hours
Location
- The venue is situated outside the centre of the town.
- This venue is situated in Southborough.
- The venue is situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
- There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest mainline station is Tunbridge Wells.
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for all users.
- Parking is for a maximum of 2 hours Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm with no return within 4 hours. Outside these hours there are no restrictions.
- The car park is located in front of the main entrance.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- There is/are 5 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 420cm x 490cm (13ft 9in x 16ft 1in).
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
- 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 car park surface is tarmac.
- 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 not have a height restriction barrier.
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Comments
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- There are 6 parent and child spaces along the front of the building, next to the 5 Blue Badge Bays (Photographs 1-5). The bays are faded.
- There is a dropped kerb onto the pavement near the bays (Photograph 6).
- Photographs 7 and 8 show the standard bays.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 138cm (4ft 6in).
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 159cm.
- 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) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 170cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the main entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
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Comments
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- Photograph 2 shows the slope in front of the door and Photograph 3 shows the lip at the first entrance door.
Outside Access (Fitness Suite Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 99cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope
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- 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 not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
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Comments
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- The door is push pad activated to exit (85cm high) with a key card reader to enter (90cm high).
- The door width is narrowed from 107cm to 99cm due to a pillar at the side of the door. The slight lip at the entrance and pillar are shown in Photograph 3.
- There is a dropped kerb along the front of the building for the Blue Badge/ Parent & Child Bays which is used to access this door.
- Photograph 5 shows the slight ramp up to the door.
- There are bollards along the pavement to the side of the entrance which are 110cm apart. They do not contrast visually with the paving (Photograph 6).
Reception
- The desk/counter is 2m (2yd 7in) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is a touch screen.
- The touch screen is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
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Comments
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- There are security barriers at reception. The 2 standard barriers are 51cm wide and the wide barrier is 98cm wide. They are opened by membership cards or by reception (Photographs 3-5).
- There is a touch screen on the left of the entrance opposite reception for presenting membership cards or to pay if you are a non-member. The screen is 142cm-169cm high and the card machine is 120cm high (Photograph 6).
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- This venue does play background music.
- Music is played in the fitness suite.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Comments
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- There is level access via platform lift to the different areas of the Sports Centre.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- 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 both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
Other Floors (Fitness Suite)
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are deep (18cm+).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is not a landing.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Comments
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- There is a similar set of stairs leading up to the Fitness Suite from the corridor leading from reception. There are 15+ steps which access the same floors, have handrails on both sides and are clearly marked (Photograph 2).
- Both sets of stairs can be avoided by using the side entrance and platform lift within the Fitness Suite to access the first floor.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located on the left-hand side of the main entrance, past the reception desk.
- The lift is a platform lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
- The lift is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 102cm x 148cm (3ft 4in x 4ft 10in).
- There are 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 not have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.
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Comments
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- The lift doors are automatic.
- There is a weight limit of 400kg.
Lift (Fitness Suite Platform Lift)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located within the fitness suite area.
- Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the Fitness Suite entrance.
- The lift is a platform lift.
- A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do not contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- There is a high colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate.
- There is a low colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall.
- The clear door width is 89cm.
- The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 150cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 11in).
- There are no separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is not a list of floor services available within 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.
- There is not a hearing loop system.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting levels in the lift are good.
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Comments
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- The weight limit for the lift is 410kg.
Eating and Drinking
- The following information is for the café.
- The café is located on the ground floor, to the left after reception.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the cafe entrance.
- The standard height for tables is 69cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Takeaway cutlery is available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Menus are wall only.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
Swimming Pool
- There is level access from the changing area to the swimming pool.
- There is not a ramped entrance into the water.
- There is not a wet side chair available.
- There is a hoist for wheelchair users to access the water.
- The hoist is manual.
- There are not steps into the swimming pool.
- There is a ladder type entrance into the water.
- There is a handrail on both sides of the ladder.
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Comments
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- The hoist was out of order (October 2021). This is shown in Photographs 5 and 6.
Fitness Suite
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Access to Fitness Suite
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- The fitness suite is located on the ground and first floors.
- The fitness suite is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Fitness Suite entrance.
- There is step free access to the fitness suite.
- Level access is by lift.
- There are doors into the fitness suite.
- The doors open towards you (pull).
- The doors are single.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The opening is 80cm wide.
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Fitness Suite (General)
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- Staff receive no training in assisting disabled people.
- A portable hearing assistance system is not available for induction.
- There is clear manoeuvring space between equipment.
- There is not level access to all of the equipment.
Level Change (Internal Entrance to Fitness Suite)
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located just inside the internal entrance / double doors to the Fitness Suite from the main entrance & reception.
- There is/are 3 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up the step(s).
Level Change (Fitness Suite)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located on the first floor.
- 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 not have handrails.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 120cm (3ft 11in).
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located leading to the cycle exercise room.
- There is/are 1 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are shallow (2cm - 10cm).
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Comments
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- The ramp can be used to bypass the shallow steps to other machines from the area by the lift / stairs from the ground floor.
Soft Play Area
- The soft play area is located on the first floor, to the rear right of the venue.
- There is level access via lift.
- Access into the soft play area is by double, heavy doors that open towards you (pull) with an opening width of 75cm.
- There are tables and chairs.
- The chairs do not have armrests.
Accessible Changing Room (Standard Changing Room)
- There are accessible changing rooms available.
- The accessible changing room is located within the standard changing room.
- The facility is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is not push pad activated.
- The width of the door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The dimensions of the accessible changing room are 178cm x 140cm (5ft 10in x 4ft 7in).
- The toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- There is a dropdown rail, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- Wall mounted rails are available.
- The toilet seat is 48cm (1ft 7in) above floor level.
- There is a sink.
- The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the sink is 76cm (2ft 6in).
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency alarm in the cubicle.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- There is a locker within the accessible changing room.
- The locker is within reach for a wheelchair user.
- There is not a changing bench.
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Comments
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- Photographs 1 and 2 show the accessible changing cubicle within the standard changing room.
- The accessible/ambulant toilet is located next to the accessible changing room (Photographs 3-5).
- There are standard shower facilities within the changing room.
- There is step-free access to them.
- There are lockers outside the accessible room in the standard changing room (Photograph 6).
- There are more accessible changing facilities in the fitness suite.
Standard Changing Room
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the reception desk.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the swimming pool.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located on the left past the reception.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
- Shower facilities are available within the changing room(s).
- There is level access to the shower facilities.
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Comments
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- Photographs 1 and 2 shows the benches and lockers within the changing rooms.
- Photograph 3 shows the individual changing cubicles.
Accessible Changing Room (Fitness Suite - Ground Floor)
- There are accessible changing rooms available.
- The accessible changing room is located on the ground floor of the fitness suite.
- The facility is 12m (13yd 4in) from the Fitness Suite entrance.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is not push pad activated.
- The width of the door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The dimensions of the accessible changing room are 290cm x 264cm (9ft 6in x 8ft 8in).
- The toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 115cm (3ft 9in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- Wall mounted rails are available.
- The toilet seat is 49cm (1ft 7in) above floor level.
- There is a sink.
- The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the sink is 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency alarm in the cubicle.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- There is not a locker within the accessible changing room.
- There is not a changing bench.
- There is a wheel in shower.
- The facilities available in the accessible shower are handrails and a flip-down seat.
- The height of the seat is 54cm (1ft 9in).
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Comments
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- The accessible shower has dropdown rails on both sides, horizontal rails on the left and a soap dispenser on the right at a height of 127cm. The controls are twist/turn.
- There is a coat hook 148cm high within the room.
- There is a baby change within the room. It is flip down and is 94cm high.
Standard Changing Room (Fitness Suite)
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Fitness Suite entrance.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 22m (24yd 2in) from the reception desk.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the fitness suite.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located on the ground floor.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
- Shower facilities are available within the changing room(s).
- There is level access to the shower facilities.
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Comments
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- The standard changing rooms have various lockers and benches for changing (Photograph 2).
- Photographs 3 & 4 show the standard showers which have step-free access.
- The sauna and steam rooms are accessed via the female or male changing rooms (Photograph 5).
Standard Toilet(s) (Fitness Suite)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- 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 within the fitness suite standard changing rooms.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Fitness Suite entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are good.
Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the lift.
- This accessible toilet is located on the first floor.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
- This is by lift.
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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.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is not push pad activated.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 91cm (2ft 12in).
- The door is easy to open.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 187cm x 172cm (6ft 2in x 5ft 8in).
- 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 82cm (2ft 8in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush 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 fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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 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 a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 104cm (3ft 5in).
- 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 105cm (3ft 5in).
- 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).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- 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 poor.
- There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within this accessible toilet.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 82cm (2ft 8in).
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located within the standard changing area.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 36m (39yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- Lighting levels in the female toilets are good.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
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- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located within the standard changing area.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
- Lighting levels in the male toilets are good.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within the standard changing area.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
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Comments
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- There are standard male and female toilets by the lift on the first floor.
- The male toilet has a cubicle with one grab rail (Photographs 2-4).
Additional Info
- Documents are not available in Braille.
- Documents are not available in large print.