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Birkenhead Town Hall

Hamilton Street, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH41 5BR

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Council Chambers, Registrar's Office, accessible toilet and standard toilets.

Opening Times

  • Monday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Location

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

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 ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 184cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 128cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the path leading to the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • Comments View
    • There is a third set of doors.
    • The doors open automatically.
    • The doors are double
    • The width of the door opening is 145cm.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a portable loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Other Floors (Grand Staircase)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1 and 2.
    • 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 both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right along the main corridor.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1 and 2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby from the first floor upwards.
  • The lift is approximately 35m (38yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • 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 140cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not 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 not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Level Change (Registrar's Office)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located to the left as you enter.
  • There is/are 2 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • There is a lift to access this area/service.
  • The lift does bypass the step(s).

Lift (Registrar's Office)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left as you enter.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on the ground floor.
  • The lift is approximately 21m (22yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 74cm x 100cm (2ft 5in x 3ft 3in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • The lift does not 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 not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Reception (Registrar's Office)

  • The desk/counter is 38m (41yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • Level access to the desk/counter is via lift.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a portable loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
  • Comments View
    • There are two private consultation rooms available for public use.

Accessible Toilet (Ground Floor - Right Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 63m (68yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the venue passing the registrars reception desk.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • 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 twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 888cm (29ft 2in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 211cm x 170cm (6ft 11in x 5ft 7in).
    • 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 140cm (4ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush 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 waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are 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 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 a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 78cm (2ft 7in).
  • 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 good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is poor.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)

Parent and Baby Room (Ground Floor)

  • There is a parent and baby room for public use.
  • The parent and baby room is located at the rear of the venue.
  • The parent and baby room is approximately 69m from the main entrance.
  • There is step-free access to the parent and baby room, via lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the room.
  • There is written text signage on or near the parent and baby room door.
  • The baby change table is set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
  • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
  • The height of the baby change table once extended is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • There are disposal facilities in the parent and baby room.
  • There is not a wash basin in the parent and baby room.
  • There is a/are chair(s) in the parent and baby room.
  • There is not a chair with armrests on both sides.
  • There is not a toilet in the parent and baby room.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • The lighting levels are good.

Accessible Toilet (Second Floor - Right Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 35m (38yd 10in) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right when you exit the lift.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • 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 sliding bolt.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 166cm x 270cm (5ft 5in x 8ft 10in).
    • 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 98cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is not an emergency alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary 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 the left.
    • 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 42cm (1ft 5in).
    • 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 poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 80cm (2ft 7in).

Standard Toilet(s) (Second Floor)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the second floor, to the left when you exit the lift.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 37m (40yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • This is by lift.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.

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.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.