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Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre

St. Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9TX

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Comments View
    • 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.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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)

  • Entrance View
    • 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.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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)

  • Entrance View
    • 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.
  • Ramp/Slope 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 not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • Comments View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • There is level access via platform lift to the different areas of the Sports Centre.

Other Floors

  • 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 both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Other Floors (Fitness Suite)

  • 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 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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.

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.
  • Comments View
    • The hoist was out of order (October 2021). This is shown in Photographs 5 and 6.

Fitness Suite

  • Access to Fitness Suite View
    • 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.
  • Fitness Suite (General) View
    • 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).
  • Comments View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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).
  • Comments View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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)

  • 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 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.
  • Location and Access View
    • 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.
  • 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 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).
  • 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 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).
  • 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 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.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • 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)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • 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.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • 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.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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.