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Birmingham City Council

Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • The magnificent Council House in Victoria Square is one of Birmingham’s most impressive buildings. Tours of the Council House can be arranged with the Democratic Services Department (0121 303 2438) or email [email protected]. Pre-booking is essential.

Location

  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Birmingham New Street / Birmingham Snow Hill.

Parking (Official Visitors)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located off Chamberlain Square.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders can booked in advance.
    • There is/are 6 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 360cm x 460cm (11ft 10in x 15ft 1in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the gatehouse entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 35m (38yd 10in) from the gatehouse 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 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 300cm (9ft 10in).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • Parking is for official visitors only.

Outside Access (Reception Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 152cm (4ft 12in).

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 220cm (7ft 3in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) both ways.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 166cm (5ft 5in).

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
  • There is/are 7 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).

Outside Access (Car Park Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located off Chamberlain Square.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 122cm (4ft).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 98cm (3ft 3in).

Level Change (Car Park Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 115cm (3ft 9in).

Reception (Security)

  • The desk/counter is 2m (2yd 7in) from the reception entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Reception (Main)

  • The desk/counter is 7m (7yd 1ft) from the reception entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There is push pad activated automatic door leading into the main reception area.
    • The width of the door is 85cm.
    • Chairs without armrests are available in the reception area.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The system is a portable loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B-G-1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the corridor off the reception area.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B-G-1.
  • The lift is approximately 22m (24yd 2in) from the reception entrance.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 98cm (3ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 122cm x 136cm (4ft x 4ft 6in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does 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 bright.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor)

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 42m (45yd 2ft) from the reception entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 180cm x 295cm (5ft 11in x 9ft 8in).
    • There is 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is push.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are open waste paper bin, general domestic waste, 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 not available.
    • There is 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 44cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • 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 135cm (4ft 5in).
    • 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 placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 81cm (2ft 8in).
  • 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.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • 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 100cm (3ft 3in).

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor)

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, to the left as you exit the lift.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 135cm x 170cm (4ft 5in x 5ft 7in).
    • 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 65cm (2ft 2in).
    • 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 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 open waste paper bin and sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • 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 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • 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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 77cm (2ft 6in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • There is a fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)

  • 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 on the ground floor.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 52m (56yd 2ft) from the reception entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
    • This is by lift.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the ground floor.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 29m (31yd 2ft) from the reception entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
    • This is by lift.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • Further standard toilets are available on the first floor.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is normally on duty.
  • Staff are trained to BSL level (unknown at time of research).