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The Galleria - Central Car Park

Comet Way, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 0XR

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

Getting Help and Assistance

  • British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • 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 in a void unit on the lower level.
    Customers who would like to use this space need to visit the customer service desk beforehand.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include wheelchairs, motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact the venue on 01707 278 301 or book in advance.
  • Please note when hiring a scooter or wheelchair, ID is required (proof of address) or your disabled badge.

Parking

  • The shopping centre does have its own parking facilities.
  • The car park is located along the access road between the north and south buildings.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • The car park does have a barrier control system.
  • The car park surface is block paving.
  • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
  • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • There is/are 13 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 440cm x 480cm (14ft 5in x 15ft 9in).
  • There is not a 120cm marked zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
  • Parking View
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
    • All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
    • There are additional car parks for visitors.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the entrance to the car park and at the payment machines in the building.
    • Payment term signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Free parking for Blue Badge holders is for 3 hours only.
    • To see the parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
    • Payment machines are located on the lower and upper levels of the shopping centre.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is a/are clearly marked drop-off point(s).
    • The drop-off point(s) is/are located off the west service road, opposite the lower south shopping centre entrance.
    • The route from the drop-off point(s) to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
    • There is tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the drop-off point(s) and the entrance.
  • Comments View
    • There are 2 Blue Badge bays on west service road that are 180cm x 650cm which can be seen in photograph 12.
    • Photographs 10 and 11 show the dropped kerb and access to the lower south shopping centre entrance from the drop off point.

Central Car Park to Lower Level South North Entrance

  • From the nearest Blue Badge bay cross the car park entrance/exit.
  • Head past the bollard and turn left.
  • Go forward up the sloped path.
  • At the top of the path is a zebra crossing with dropped kerbs and tactile paving on both sides. Use the crossing to cross the road.
  • Turn left once you have reached the other side of the road and head forward along the path.
  • The surface of the ground in this area is a mixture of block paving, tarmac and concrete tiles.
  • The paths may be uneven in areas.

Outside Access (Main North Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the north side of the main shopping centre.
  • This entrance gives access to the main shopping centre.
  • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
  • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
  • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 142cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the far left as you face the entrances.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrances.
    • There is/are 4 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not 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 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.

Central Car Park to Lower Level North South Entrance

  • From the nearest Blue Badge bay cross the car park access road.
  • Use the steep ramp to the right or the 4 shallow steps without handrails to the left.
  • Follow the path to the end and turn left, passing 3 shallow steps without handrails on your way.
  • Head forward and turn left once you reach the road.
  • Use the zebra crossing to cross the Burger King drive-thru access road.
  • There are planters on the approach to the entrance which narrows the path to 120cm.
  • The surface of the ground in this area is a mixture of block paving and concrete tiles.
  • The paths may be uneven in areas.

Outside Access (South Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the south side of the lower level north.
  • This entrance gives access to the lower level north.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
  • This entrance sign says 'Welcome'.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
  • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
  • The entrance 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 145cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • Comments View
    • There are planters in the entrance walkway.
    • The width between the planters is 143cm.

Lift (Central Car Park to Upper Level Restaurant Bridge)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located toward the north side of the upper level restaurant bridge.
  • 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 1 (central car park) and 3 (upper level restaurant bridge).
  • 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 within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is poor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 108cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 195cm x 160cm (6ft 5in x 5ft 3in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not 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 good.

Other Floors (Central Car Park to Upper Level Restaurant Bridge)

  • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
  • The stairs are located opposite the central car park.
  • There are manual, heavy, double doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are central car park to the upper level restaurant bridge.
  • 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 not 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.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are varied.

Related Access Guides (The Galleria)