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Herrington Country Park Car Park and Toilet Block

Herrington Country Park, New Herrington, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne & Wear, DH4 7EL

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the grounds include a car park and toilet block and entrances to the country park.

Opening Times

  • The venue is open from dawn til dusk.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Sunderland.
  • The nearest Metro Station is South Hylton.

Parking (Main Car Park)

  • 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 end of the access road, in front of the Café and toilet block.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
    • There is/are 5 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 365cm x 485cm (11ft 12in x 15ft 11in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 16m (17yd 1ft) from the Country Park entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 25m (27yd 1ft) from the Country Park entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Main Country Park Vehicle and Pedestrian Entrance and Exit

  • The main entrance and exit to the Country Park for vehicles and pedestrians is located off Chester Road. (Photograph 1).
  • There entrance road has two lanes.
  • The road has gates which are closed at dusk.
  • There is a footpath to both sides of the gates and road.
  • There are no gates on the footpath and the clear width on the footpath to the right of the gates is 173cm. The path to the right has a very easy gradient. (Photograph 2).
  • After approximately 80m there is a road crossing the pathway to the right. (Photograph 3) and there is a dropped kerb at either side of this road. (Photograph 4).
  • After approximately 100m the path to the right turns to the right and there is an easy slope on the path, leading to the Country Park. (Photographs 5, 6 and 7).
  • The clear width on the footpath to the left of the gates is 83cm and this path leads to the Duck Pond. (Photograph 8).
  • There is a metal bench seat without arm rests at the beginning of the path to the left. (Photograph 9).
  • After the bench seat the path has a steep slope, leading down to the Duck Pond. (Photographs 10 and 11).
  • After the Duck Pond the path has a slight slope upwards to the road. (Photographs 12, 13 and 14).
  • There is a wooden bench seat with armrests, towards the end of the path, overlooking the Duck Pond. (Photograph 15).
  • The path then rejoins the main road and is approximately 60m in length. (Photograph 16).
  • Both paths are constructed of tarmac.
  • Both paths have some uneven surfaces.

Access Point (Country Park Access Road Entrance)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located at the rear of the car park, next to the access road.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is an open gap for access.
    • The width at the lower part of the entrance is 112cm.
      The width at the upper part of the entrance is 32cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located just beyond the access point.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.

Access Point (Country Park Entrance)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located to the right hand side of the car park.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is an open gap for access.
    • The width at the lower part of the entrance is 112cm.
      The width at the upper part of the entrance is 32cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located just past the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.

Park

  • The venue has its own car park.
  • Access to the park is via a level path and a ramped/sloped path with a steep gradient.
  • Access Around the Park View
    • The park or garden does have footpaths.
    • The path(s) has a / have compact earth, tarmac and gravel surface(s).
    • The majority of the path(s) is / are wide enough for wheelchair users.
    • There are slight and steep slopes on the paths.
    • There are not any bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • Staff and Services View
    • There is not a member of staff (generally on duty) trained in British/Irish Sign Language.
    • There are no documents available in large print.
    • There are no documents available in Braille.
    • A bowl of water cannot be provided for an assistance dog.
  • Toilet and Changing Facilities View
    • Toilet and/or changing facilities include; accessible toilet(s) and standard toilet(s).
  • Other Facilities View
    • Other facilities in the park include; a café and children's play area.
  • Additional Information View
    • Some of the footpaths have potholes causing uneven surfaces.

Children's Play Area

  • The Children's Play Area is located at the end of the Car Park, to the left of the Café and Toilet Block and there is a gate to enter.
  • The gate opens away from you (push) and is heavy with a width of 128cm.
  • There are other similar gates around the Country Park to enter the Children's Play Area.
  • There are tarmac paths running through the area and some paths have an easy slope and some have a steep slope and can be narrow.
  • Some paths have wood chippings overflowing from the play equipment which may make it difficult for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is a range of children's play equipment, including swings, roundabouts, slides and climbing equipment.
  • The surface around the play equipment is either, wood chippings, grass or mud.
  • There are picnic benches and bench seating with armrests and these are placed on a tarmac surface.
  • Picnic benches have an overhang at either end to enable a wheelchair user access to them.

Outside Access (Toilet Block Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located Toilet Block Entrance.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • The width of the door opening is 132cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the path leading to the entrance.
    • 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 not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Accessible Toilet (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the toilet block entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located ahead as you enter the toilet block.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from the café.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 96cm (3ft 2in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 148cm x 215cm (4ft 10in x 7ft 1in).
    • 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 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • 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 not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary, non-infectious waste and clinical 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 44cm (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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a medium colour contrast between the external door and wall.
    • There is a medium colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • There is a medium colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a medium colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a medium colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • 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 74cm (2ft 5in).

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 to the left as you enter the toilet block.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the toilet block entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels in the female toilets are moderate to good.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the right as you enter the toilet block.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the toilet block entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
    • Lighting levels in the male toilets are moderate to good.