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Ryhope Engines Museum

Waterworks Road, Ryhope, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR2 0ND

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include a blacksmith shop, dry museum and steam engines museum.
  • Services / facilities within the grounds include the Tea Room and Thomas Hawksley Room.
  • Comments View
    • The venue is run solely by volunteers.
    • The venue offers private group bookings by prior arrangement.
    • The venue holds various events throughout the year, please see the website for further details.

Opening Times

  • Monday Closed.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 13:00.
  • Wednesday 18:00 - 21:00.
  • Thursday Closed.
  • Friday Closed.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday 13:00 - 17:00.
  • Comments View
    • The venue also hold operational event weekends throughout the year which are advertised on their website.

Location

  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Seaham.
  • The nearest Metro Station is Park Lane.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located in front of the venue.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • There is/are 0 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within 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 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 not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • There is a small gulley in front of the car park.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the side 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 (with one leaf locked).
  • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 80cm (2ft 7in).

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located to the left of the entrance and in front of the entrance.
  • There is/are 11 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 medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Outside Access (Accessible 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 (with one leaf locked).
  • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 91cm (2ft 12in).

Level Change (Accessible Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 91cm (2ft 12in).

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 33m (36yd 3in) from the accessible entrance.
  • There is not level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service(s).
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Level Change (Inside Access)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located to the right of the lift.
  • 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 have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 89cm (2ft 11in).
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located in the dry museum.
  • There is/are 7 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
  • There is a lift to access this area/service.
  • The lift does bypass the step(s).
  • The lift does not bypass the ramp/slope.
  • Comments View
    • The slope takes you from the dry museum to the first floor of the engine room.

Museum

  • Exhibits can be audio described.
  • Tactile signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Braille signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Touch tours are available.
  • Video tours are available.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is not a wheelchair to borrow.
  • Comments View
    • The venue has a system called Info Point which is an onsite local Intranet.
    • It does not affect your mobile phone data allowance and it is totally free to use.
    • The system covers the whole of the site from the tea room to the top floor of the engine room.
    • It also has a number of selectable live CCTV cameras which gives you unique access to inaccessible parts of the engines and also provides options for you view the upper floors if your mobility prevents this.

Other Floors (Engine Room)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 2, 3, 4.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • There is not a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are engine rooms 2 and 3.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located next to the blacksmith shop.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The lift is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 89cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 87cm x 140cm (2ft 10in x 4ft 7in).
  • 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 have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Tea Room Entrance

  • The café is located in a seperate building which is 38m from the accessible entrance of the venue.
  • There is an easy slope to reach this building.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The door is single.
  • The door is heavy.
  • This door is 78cm wide.
  • There is a shallow step just beyond the entrance.

Level Change (Tea Room, Accessible and Standard Toilet)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located leading from the venue to the tea room and all toilets.
  • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.

Eating and Drinking (Tea Room)

  • The following information is for the café.
  • 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.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the tea room entrance.
  • The standard height for tables is 64cm.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Menus are hand held and wall.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • 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 46m (50yd 11in) from the accessible entance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right of the tea room.
    • There is not 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 lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 92cm (3ft).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 197cm x 190cm (6ft 6in x 6ft 3in).
    • 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 130cm (4ft 3in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 waste paper pedal bin 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 a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • 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 not a hand dryer.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is not a toilet roll holder.
    • 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 medium.
  • 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 96cm (3ft 2in).

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 to the right of the tea room.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 47m (51yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are medium.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the right of the tea toom.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 49m (53yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the male toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are medium.

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are not available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located on the grassed areas around the venue.