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Bluewater - Thames Walk Car Park

Bluewater, Greenhithe, Kent, DA9 9ST

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Access Guide

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Opening Times

  • The venue is open 24hrs.

Getting Here

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 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 on the Upper and Lower levels.
  • There are not parking charges for 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.
  • There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).

Multi-Storey Designated Parking Level (Lower Level)

  • There is/are 30 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 395cm x 483cm (12ft 12in x 15ft 10in).
  • There is not a 120cm marked zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
  • Blue Badge Parking View
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
  • Parent and Child Parking View
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are available on this level.
    • There is/are 13 designated Parent and Child bays parking bay(s) on this level.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The pedestrian exit on this level gives access to Lower Thames Walk Blue.
    • 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 some of 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.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 12m from the Thames Walk Lower Level Car Park Exit.
    • Digital wayfinders are not available.

Other Floors

  • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
  • The stairs are located in the centre of the car park.
  • 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 do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are easy to grip.
  • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • There is a landing.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
  • Comments View
    • The stairs are external.
    • There are similar stairs throughout the car park.
    • There is are similar covered stairs opposite the lift.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the car park next to Marks & Spencer.
  • Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
  • 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 high.
  • 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)

  • There is/are 23 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 377cm x 493cm (12ft 4in x 16ft 2in).
  • There is not a 120cm marked zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
  • Parent and Child Parking View
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are available on this level.
    • There is/are 5 designated Parent and Child bays parking bay(s) on this level.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The pedestrian exit on this level gives access to Upper Thames Walk Blue.
    • 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.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 15m from the Thames Walk Car Park Middle exit.
    • Digital wayfinders are not available.

Multi-Storey Designated Parking Level (Upper Level)

  • There is/are 16 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 395cm x 503cm (12ft 12in x 16ft 6in).
  • There is not a 120cm marked zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
  • Parent and Child Parking View
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are available on this level.
    • There is/are 6 designated Parent and Child bays parking bay(s) on this level.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The pedestrian exit on this level gives access to Upper Thames Walk Blue.
    • 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 concrete.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 17m from the Thames Walk Blue Upper Level exit.
    • Digital wayfinders are not available.

Car Park Pedestrian Exit (Thames Walk Car Park Lower 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 'Thames Walk Lower Level'.
  • There is ramped/sloped or 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 211cm.
  • There are bollards at this exit.
  • The minimum width between the bollards is 174cm.
  • Pedestrian Exit View
    • The bollards do not have an identification band to aid visually impaired people.
    • Digital wayfinders are not available.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left as you enter.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located to the right as you enter.
    • There is/are 3 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 13cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • 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 not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.

Car Park Pedestrian Exit (Thames Walk Car Park Middle 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 'Thames Walk Middle Level'.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this exit.
  • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this exit that might be perceived as a hole.
  • 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 212cm.
  • Pedestrian Exit View
    • Digital wayfinders are not available.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • 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.

Car Park Pedestrian Exit (Thames Walk Car Park Upper Exit)

  • This information is for the pedestrian exit located on the upper level of the car park.
  • The pedestrian exit is clearly signed.
  • The pedestrian exit is clearly signed with 'Thames Walk Upper Level'.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this exit.
  • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this exit that might be perceived as a hole.
  • 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 186cm.
  • Pedestrian Exit View
    • Digital wayfinders are not available.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • 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.

Related Access Guides (Bluewater)