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Civic Centre, Tower Block and Committee Suite

Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Comments View
    • The layout of the whole building may be difficult to navigate, but assistance can be provided by prior arrangement.

Location

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

Parking (Staff and Visitors)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • There is/are 5 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 320cm x 485cm (10ft 6in x 15ft 11in).
    • The nearest designated bay is 16m (17yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • The furthest designated bay is 32m (34yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
    • The patron does not have to cross a road.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The barrier entrance to the car park is located off Sandyford Road.
    • This car park is for use by specific visitors to the Civic Centre, spaces need to be booked in advance.

Parking (Public)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
    • There is/are 3 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 190cm x 560cm (6ft 3in x 18ft 4in).
    • The nearest designated bay is 73m (79yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • The furthest designated bay is 85m (92yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
    • The patron does not have to cross a road.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • Access to this car park is off Sandyford Road.
    • This is a pay and display car park, free to blue badge holders.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located in the courtyard.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open by revolving.
  • The door opening is 113cm (3ft 8in) wide.

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 117cm (3ft 10in).
  • There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
  • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
  • There is / are 10 step(s) to the area / service.
  • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is / are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located in the car park.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open automatically.
  • The doors are double width.
  • The door opening is 180cm (5ft 11in) wide.
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open automatically.
    • The doors are double width.
    • The door opening is 180cm (5ft 11in) wide.

Level Change (Accessible Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located leading up from the car park.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on the left going up.
  • There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
  • The step(s) is / are located on the left as you enter.
  • There is / are 9 step(s) to the area / service.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are bright.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is / are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
  • There is a standard and / or platform lift to access this service.
  • The lift does bypass the step(s).
  • The lift does not bypass the ramp.

Lift (Accessible Entrance)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located round to the right as you enter.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG-10.
  • The lift is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 119cm (3ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 176cm x 144cm (5ft 9in x 4ft 9in).
  • 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 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Reception

  • The desk is 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • The reception desk is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a portable loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service.
  • This venue does not play background music/noise.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are bright.

Theatre (Council Chamber)

  • There are designated spaces for wheelchair users.
  • Designated seating is located the rear rows.
  • Wheelchairs are left with the patron.
  • A companion may sit with you.
  • Companions sit beside you.
  • It is 28m (30yd 1ft) from the designated seating area to the nearest accessible toilet.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
  • A deposit is not required for the sound enhancement system.
  • The rows suitable for hearing assistance systems are all rows.
  • There is not a wheelchair to borrow.
  • Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
  • Comments View
    • There are 7 clearly marked shallow steps leading down to further seating.
    • There are further steps at each side although no hand rails are available.

Restaurant Bar Internal (Council & Banqueting Suite)

  • The following information is for the restaurant.
  • Once inside, there is not level access to the service.
  • Food is available from the bar.
  • Full table service is available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the service counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 72cm (2ft 4in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 72cm (2ft 4in).

Level Change (Council & Banqueting Suite)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in the bar area.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
  • The step(s) is / are located in the bar area.
  • There is / are 3 step(s) to the area / service.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is / are medium.
  • The steps do not have handrails.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG-G-10.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Lift (Reception)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located down the steps at the reception area.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-10.
  • The lift is 24m (26yd 9in) from the accessible entrance lift (on Level 2).
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 84cm (2ft 9in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 97cm x 140cm (3ft 2in 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 not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.
  • Comments View
    • This lift is accessed via the main lift on level 2 to overcome the internal steps.
    • There is a similar lift to the rear of the Council & Banqueting Suite foyer.

Accessible Toilet

  • There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
  • 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.
    • The accessible toilet is 24m (26yd 9in) from the first floor lift.
    • The accessible toilet is located on the first floor, in the standard female facility.
    • There is not level access to the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is not a unisex toilet.
    • This is a female 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 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door weight is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 155cm (5ft 7in x 5ft 1in).
    • There is 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 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • The emergency alarm is not fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a coat hook.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There are mirrors.
    • 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 43cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 sink.
    • The sink cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink 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 grab rails 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 medium.
  • Comments View
    • There is a facility within the standard male toilet, with similar specifications.
    • There are similar accessible toilets on the second floor and near the lower floor cloakroom.

Level Change (Toilet Facilities)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in the main corridor.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
  • The step(s) is / are located in the main corridor.
  • There is / are 4 step(s) to the area / service.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are bright.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is / are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

Standard Toilet(s)

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.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located towards the gardens at the front.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Comments View
    • The public only have access to the Council Chambers, Committee rooms and the main Function Room.