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The Historic Chatham Dockyard Steam, Steel and Submarines

The Historic Chatham Dockyard, Main Gate Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TZ

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Access Guide

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Summary

  • There is onsite parking available here with designated Blue Badge parking.
  • The most accessible entrance has: level step free access and automatic doors.
  • There is step free access to the majority of the venue once inside.
  • Toilet and changing facilities available include: accessible toilets, a Changing Place and standard toilets.
  • This venue also has the following available: a companion/carer discount, audio format information, a sign language interpreter and seating.
  • The attractions within the Dockyard can only be accessed via the steep ramp at the site entrance.
    There is a screen playing audio/visual content with a sign language interpreter to the corner of the screen.

Parking (Main Car Park)

  • This venue has a car park .
  • This is an open air car park with a loose chippings and gravel surface.
  • Parking is free for all users.
  • There is not a designated drop-off point.
  • Comments View
    • Photographs 1-4 show the main car park.
    • Photographs 5 and 6 show the step-free or shallow stepped access onto the pavement from the car park.
    • Photograph 7 shows a tarmacked car parking section that is used at times, however, it is further from the entrance.
    • There are Blue Badge bays and electrical vehicle charging bays in the No.5 Slip, to the right of the site entrance and main car park.

Parking (No.5 Slip: Blue Badge Bays and Electric Vehicle Bays)

  • This venue has a car park .
  • This is a sheltered car park with a tarmac and concrete surface.
  • Parking is free for all users.
  • There are 5 Blue Badge parking bays.
  • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 225cm x 470cm.
  • There is a hatched zone on both sides and to the rear.
  • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 127m from the site entrance.
  • Potential obstacles between the Blue Badge parking and the entrance include dropped kerbs, uneven surfaces and a road crossing.
  • There is not a designated drop-off point.
  • Comments View
    • Photograph 1 shows the No.5 slip which has the Blue Badge bays and 6 electrical vehicle charging bays within it. This is to the right-hand side from the main car park and site entrance.
    • Access does not have to be pre-arranged.
    • A security barrier and intercom 120cm high are used to access the car park. Staff will open the barriers when requested via this intercom.
    • Photograph 4 shows one of the Blue Badge Bays and photograph 5 shows the electrical vehicle charging bays.
    • Photographs 6-8 show the route to the site entrance.
    • There is a pedestrian crossing which is level with the road one side, with a dropped kerb and tactile paving on the other side.
    • The route consists of tarmac and block paving.

Public Transport

  • There is not a bus stop within approximately 150m of the venue.
  • There is a designated drop-off area for coach tours within 150 metres of the site entrance.
  • The nearest train station is Gillingham.
  • Gillingham Station is approximately 1.9 miles away.

Entrance (The Historic Chatham Dockyard: Site Entrance)

  • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
  • A width of at least 150cm and There is a ramp with a steep gradient .
  • The ramp has handrails on both sides.
  • There is a single automatic door which opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 151cm.
  • There is a second set of doors.
  • There is a single automatic door which open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 173cm.

Entrance (Security Barriers / Entrance onto Site via Command of the Oceans)

  • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
  • There is a slope with a slight gradient and a width between 75cm and 150cm .
  • The ramp has handrails on both sides.
  • There are no doors at this entrance.
  • The width of the opening is 125cm.
  • Comments View
    • The security barriers, shown in photograph 1, have a ticket bar code reader that is 92cm high. The barriers automatically open away from you.
    • The ramp and corridor, shown in photographs 2-5, lead towards the Command of the Oceans gallery space and the two exit doors that lead outside.

Entrance (Command of the Oceans to Museum Square: External Site Area)

  • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
  • There is a slope with a slight gradient and a width of at least 150cm .
  • There are double automatic doors which open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 153cm.
  • There is a second set of doors.
  • There is a single automatic door which opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 168cm.
  • Comments View
    • There is a very slight slope by the first set of automatic doors, shown in photograph 2.
    • The slight slope is located beyond the second automatic door as shown in photograph 4.

Entrance (Main Stepped)

  • There is ramped/sloped and stepped access at this entrance.
  • There is a ramp with a steep gradient and a width between 75cm and 150cm .
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • There are 5 steps.
  • The steps are clearly marked with handrails on both sides.
  • There are double manual doors (with one door locked) which is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 104cm.
  • There is a second set of doors.
  • There are double automatic doors which open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 120cm.

Entrance (Main Accessible)

  • There is step-free access at this entrance.
  • There are double manual doors which is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 205cm.
  • There is a second set of doors.
  • There are double automatic doors which open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 170cm.
  • Comments View
    • This entrance is located to the right of main stepped entrance.
    • There is a painted no parking area and dropped kerb in front of the entrance. There is a very slight slope.

Entrance (Rear Accessible)

  • There is step-free access at this entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors which open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 155cm.
  • There is a second set of doors.
  • There are double automatic doors which open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 155cm.
  • Comments View
    • There is a very slight slope due to the dropped kerb in front of entrance.

Shop

  • The majority of aisle widths are 150cm+.
  • There is step-free access to the till(s).
  • There is not a low level till at the recommended height for wheelchair users.
  • Services/facilities available in the shop include: a member of staff to provide assistance.
  • There is background noise here.
  • The counter is 91cm high.
    The counter is staffed by volunteers so opening times may vary. The main shop by the site entrance can be used if so. The counter/shop takes cash only.

Attraction / Exhibit

  • There is step-free access to and throughout this area.
  • The majority of walkways are 150cm+ wide.
  • There is background noise here.
  • Exhibit information includes the following formats: pictorial, television/screen, information board and interactive exhibits at a recommended height for wheelchair users.
  • There are chairs without armrests and bench seats in this area.

Entrance (Toilets, Showers and Changing Places)

  • There is step-free access at this entrance.
  • There is a single manual door which open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 96cm.
  • Comments View
    • There is an automatic sliding door that is 114cm wide to the rear of the attraction area.
    • It is used to access the toilets, showers and changing places from all directions apart from the rear accessible entrance (photograph 2).

Changing Places (Steam, Steel and Submarines - Left and Right Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The facility is located to the rear of Steam, Steel and Submarines.
    • The facility is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the rear accessible entrance.
    • The facility is in addition to standard and accessible toilets.
    • The facility is not located close to other managed facilities (e.g. reception or service counter).
    • There is level access into the facility.
    • The facility surveyed is for the sole use of disabled people.
    • The colour contrast between the external door and wall is low.
    • The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
    • You do need a key for the facility.
    • The key is not a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from staff within Steam, Steel and Submarines.
    • There is not a sign at the entrance to the Changing Places facility indicating the location of the nearest toilets and baby changing facilities.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The width of the door is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • The dimensions of the facility are 320cm x 375cm.
    • The ceiling height is at a minimum of 2.4m.
    • There is a clear 200cm x 180cm manoeuvring space in the facility.
    • The facility has a non-slip floor.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The facility toilet has a transfer space on both sides.
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 78cm.
    • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 74cm.
    • Dropdown rails are provided.
    • As you face the toilet the dropdown rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • As you face the toilet there are vertical grab rails on both sides.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is high.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a spatula flush.
    • There is not a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm for the toilet.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The facility changing bench is wall mounted.
    • The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
    • The length of the facility changing bench is 180cm (5ft 11in).
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead.
    • The overhead hoist covers all areas in the cubicle.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is a shower unit with a detachable shower head.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The adjustable shower head can be placed between 120cm and 140cm when mounted.
    • There is no seat for the shower.
    • There is not a vertical grab rail for the shower.
  • Other Facilities View
    • A privacy screen is available.
    • The type of wash basin is adjustable.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available at the wash basin.
    • As you face the wash basin, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • The colour contrast between the wash basin grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser is not at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 103cm.
    • Wide tear off paper roll is available.
    • The wide paper roll dispenser is at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
    • The height of the wide paper roll dispenser is 100cm.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
    • The height of the hand dryer is 92cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser is not at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 104cm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is a/are general domestic waste, clinical waste and female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is an emergency alarm for the facility.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is within reach and fully functional.
    • There is a coat hook.
    • The height of the coat hook is 155cm from the floor.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a horizontal adjustable shelf to right of toilet. It is 14cm by 41cm.

Toilet with Adaptations (Steam, Steel and Submarines - Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
  • There is a manual door which opens outwards and has a medium colour contrast.
  • The door has a lever twist lock.
  • The width of the accessible toilet door opening is 86cm.
  • The dimensions of the cubicle are 153cm x 215cm and it does not have a 150cm x 150cm turning space.
  • There is a lateral transfer space to the right of the seat.
  • The lateral transfer space is 83cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
  • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
  • The following grab rails are available: a horizontal grab rail on the door, a vertical grab rail on the transfer side, vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin and a horizontal grab rail on the non transfer side.
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • The following have a high colour contrast with their surroundings: the toilet seat and some grab rails.
  • The following have a less clear colour contrast with their surroundings: the internal door, the dropdown rail, some grab rails and the floor.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
  • The cubicle also has: a waste bin with lid.
  • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
  • The following fixtures are at the recommended height: the toilet seat, the wash basin, hand dryer and a coat hook for standing users.
  • The following fixtures are not at a recommended height: the toilet roll holder, the soap dispenser and the baby changing facility.
  • The following fixtures can be reached from the toilet seat: the toilet roll holder, the wash basin and the soap dispenser.
  • The following fixtures cannot be reached from the toilet seat: hand dryer.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
  • The shared standard toilet was surveyed.
  • The wash basin tap type is push.
  • The sink is 84cm high.
    There are 2 standard shared toilets.

Standard Shower

  • The shower facilities are located to the rear of Steam, Steel and Submarines.
  • The shower facilities are approximately 9m from the rear accessible entrance.
  • There is step-free access to the shower facilities.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the shower door.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 76cm.
  • The contrast between the external door(s) and wall(s) is medium.
  • The contrast between the internal door(s) and wall(s) is medium.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • The lighting is activated by a sensor.
  • The shower has a 12cm step to access it.
    There are 2 standard shower cubicles.
  • There is a sink that is 81cm high with a push mixer tap.

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