Access Guide
Opening Times
- The venue is open 24hrs.
Getting Here
- Bluewater is located to the south west of Greenhithe, off the B255, which is accessed via the A2 at Bean Interchange. Follow the signs for Bluewater from the A2.
- There are six car parks surrounding the shopping centre. There are four multi-storey car parks - Guildhall Car Park, Plaza Car Park, Rose Gallery Car Park, and Thames Walk Car Park. There are two open air car parks - Village Car Park and Winter Garden Car Park.
- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the shopping centre.
- There is an onsite bus station and transit hub.
- For more information on Bluewater Bus Station and Transit Hub please click here (opens new tab).
- The nearest railway station is Greenhithe.
- Bluewater is a 25 minute bus ride away from Greenhithe Railway Station, which connects you to all major cities in the UK.
- For more information on Greenhithe Station - National Rail please click here (opens new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- Guest services associates, Security officers, Cleaning operatives and Car park attendants receive Autism Awareness training.
- There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language. Please phone the venue in advance for more information
- Guest Services Associates do receive training in escorting visually impaired people.
- Alternative formats of the shopping centre map are available in large print.
- There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
- The assistance dog toilet or toileting area is located on the grassed areas around the site.
- There is a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
- The place of safety is located on Lower Rose Gallery, in The Quiet Place.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
- There are mobility aids available.
- The mobility aids available include mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact Ability Plus.
Multi-Storey Car Park
- The shopping centre does have its own parking facilities.
- The car park is located on the north east side of the shopping centre.
- The car park type is multi-storey.
- The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
- The maximum height of the restriction barrier is 220cm (7ft 3in).
- The car park does not have a barrier control system.
- The car park surface is concrete.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- Blue Badge bays are located adjacent to the car park exits on the lower and upper levels.
- 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.
- There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).
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Comments
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- There are 48 Blue Badge bays in this car park.
Multi-Storey Designated Parking Level (Lower Level)
- There is/are 29 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) on this level.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 390cm x 491cm (12ft 10in x 16ft 1in).
- There is not a 120cm marked zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
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Blue Badge Parking
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- The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
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Parent and Child Parking
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- Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are available on this level.
- There is/are 45 designated Parent and Child bays parking bay(s) on this level.
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Access from the Car Park
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- The pedestrian exit on this level gives access to Lower Rose Gallery.
- The route to the pedestrian exit is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are uneven surfaces.
- It may be necessary to cross the path of moving vehicles between the Blue Badge parking bays and the pedestrian exit on this level.
- The pedestrian exit is clearly visible from the car park.
- There are marked walkways on this level to make routes safer for pedestrians.
- The surface on the approach to the pedestrian exit is tarmac, concrete tiles and concrete.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 13m from the Lower Level Exit.
- Digital wayfinders are not available.
Other Floors
- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are located in the car park, next to John Lewis.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are Lower, Middle and Upper.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are good.
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Comments
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- The handrail on the right covers the full set of stairs.
- The handrail on the right extends horizontally at the top and bottom.
- There are similar, uncovered stairs throughout the car park.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located next to John Lewis.
- There is 1 other lift in this location.
- The other lift has very similar/identical specifications.
- The lift is a standard 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 Lower, Middle and Upper.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- The external controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is medium.
- The clear door width is 138cm (4ft 6in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 226cm x 178cm (7ft 5in x 5ft 10in).
- There are no separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is a list of floor services available within 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.
- 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 low.
Multi-Storey Designated Parking Level (Middle Level - Family Parking)
- There is/are 0 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) on this level.
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Parent and Child Parking
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- Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are available on this level.
- There is/are 14 designated Parent and Child bays parking bay(s) on this level.
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Access from the Car Park
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- The pedestrian exit on this level gives access to the Rose Gallery Welcome Hall mezzanine.
- The route to the pedestrian exit is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are uneven surfaces.
- The pedestrian exit is clearly visible from the car park.
- There are marked walkways on this level to make routes safer for pedestrians.
- The surface on the approach to the pedestrian exit is concrete tiles and concrete.
- Digital wayfinders are not available.
Multi-Storey Designated Parking Level (Upper Level)
- There is/are 19 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) on this level.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 361cm x 601cm (11ft 10in x 19ft 9in).
- There is a 120cm marked zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
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Parent and Child Parking
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- Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are available on this level.
- There is/are 22 designated Parent and Child bays parking bay(s) on this level.
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Access from the Car Park
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- The pedestrian exit on this level gives access to Upper Rose Gallery.
- The route to the pedestrian exit is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
- It may be necessary to cross the path of moving vehicles between the Blue Badge parking bays and the pedestrian exit on this level.
- The pedestrian exit is clearly visible from the car park.
- There are marked walkways on this level to make routes safer for pedestrians.
- The surface on the approach to the pedestrian exit is concrete tiles and concrete.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 12m from the Upper Level Exit.
- Digital wayfinders are not available.
Car Park Pedestrian Exit (Rose Gallery Car Park Lower Level Exit)
- This information is for the pedestrian exit located on the lower level of the car park.
- The pedestrian exit is clearly signed.
- The pedestrian exit is clearly signed with 'Bluewater Rose Gallery Lower Level'.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this exit.
- The exit door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 203cm.
- There are bollards at this exit.
- The minimum width between the bollards is 156cm.
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Pedestrian Exit
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- The bollards do not have an identification band to aid visually impaired people.
- Digital wayfinders are not available.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the exit.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.
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Lift
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- The lift does not bypass the ramp/slope.
Car Park Pedestrian Exit (Rose Gallery Car Park Middle Level Exit)
- This information is for the pedestrian exit located on the middle level of the car park.
- The pedestrian exit is clearly signed.
- The pedestrian exit is clearly signed with 'Bluewater Rose Gallery Middle Level'.
- There is ramped/sloped and stepped access at this exit.
- The exit door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 192cm.
- There are bollards at this exit.
- The minimum width between the bollards is 174cm.
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Pedestrian Exit
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- The bollards do not have an identification band to aid visually impaired people.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the exit.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located immediately beyond the exit.
- There is/are 15+ step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are in the centre.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
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Comments
View
- There is also a handrail on the right going up at the steps.
- The steps can be overcome by using the Rose Gallery Welcome Hall lift.
Car Park Pedestrian Exit (Rose Gallery Car Park Upper Level Exit)
- This information is for the pedestrian exit located on the upper level of the car park, leading into Rose Gallery Upper Level.
- The pedestrian exit is clearly signed.
- The pedestrian exit is clearly signed with 'Rose Gallery Upper Level'.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this exit.
- The exit door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 197cm.
- There are bollards at this exit.
- The minimum width between the bollards is 210cm.
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Pedestrian Exit
View
- The bollards do not have an identification band to aid visually impaired people.
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Ramp/Slope
View
- The ramp/slope is located in front of and immediately beyond the exit.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
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Comments
View
- The lighting levels for the external slope are good.
Related Access Guides (Bluewater)
- Bluewater - Customer Services link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater - Guildhall link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater - Management Suite link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater - Moon Court link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater - Rose Gallery link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater - Shopmobility link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater - Star Court link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater - Sun Court link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater - Thames Walk Blue link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater - Thames Walk Yellow link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater - The Plaza link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater - The Village link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater - The Winter Garden link (new tab) - click here
- Bluewater Nature Trail link (new tab) - click here