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Shire Hall

Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AJ

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include the Archives Room, viewing gallery and meeting rooms.
  • Comments View
    • The Archives is under refurbishment and will be reopened summer 2019.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 08:45 - 17:00.
  • Friday 08:45 - 16:30.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Cambridge.

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The main automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
    • The push pad or push button is 100cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 1145cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
    • The push pad or push button is 100cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of and beyond the entrance.
    • There is/are 10 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
    • 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 extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right of the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The main automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
    • The push pad or push button is 80cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Lift (Accessible Entrance)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located just beyond the accessible entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are Basement to Reception (Ground Floor).
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the accessible entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 75cm (2ft 6in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 120cm x 140cm (3ft 11in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are 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 have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 11m (12yd 1in) from the accessible entrance lift.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.

Inside Access

  • There is 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 bright.
  • Comments View
    • The flooring throughout the venue varies from carpet, wooden and tiled.

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 the left going up.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Lift (Reception)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left of the reception desk.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2.
  • The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 100cm (3ft 7in x 3ft 3in).
  • 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 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 low.

Council Chamber

  • The council chamber is located on the first floor, to the left upon exiting the lift.
  • The door to the chamber is single.
  • The door opens towards you (pull).
  • The door is heavy.
  • The clear opening width of the door is 90cm.
  • There is a slight slope leading from the entrance to the front of the chambers.
  • There are steps to access to the first 3 rows of seats.
  • The depth of the steps is 8cm-11cm.

Kreis Viersen Room

  • The Kreis Viersen Room is located on the first floor.
  • The door is single.
  • The door opens away from you (push).
  • The door is heavy.
  • The clear opening width of the door is 90cm.
  • Tables and chairs without armrests are available in this room.
  • There is a infrared hearing loop within the room.

The Viewing Gallery

  • The viewing gallery is located on the second floor.
  • Access to the viewing gallery is via the standard lift in the reception area.
  • The door to the gallery opens towards you (pull).
  • The door is heavy.
  • The clear opening width of the door is 80cm.
  • There is a shallow step (10cm in depth) between the middle row of chairs leading to the front row chairs.
  • The rear row of chairs can be removed to give access to wheelchairs users.
  • The viewing gallery is open when the council is in session.
  • A pass will be required from reception for the viewing gallery.

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 14m (15yd 11in) from the accessible entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located off the corridor to the right of the reception area.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • 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 locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 180cm x 206cm (5ft 11in x 6ft 9in).
    • 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 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • 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 sanitary and general domestic 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 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 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 not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).

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 on the first floor to the right as you exit the lift.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the accessible entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
    • This is by lift.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located off the corridor to the right of the reception area.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the accessible entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are medium.

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.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located to the front of the venue.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service cannot be requested.
  • Home visits / services are not available.