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Disabled Access Guide for Great Notley Country Park
Great Notley
Braintree
Essex
CM77 7FS
Tel: 01376 347134
Email: greatnotley.countryparks@essex.gov.uk
Web: http://www.essex.gov.uk
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Introduction
Although the Discovery Centre is accessible to wheelchair users, the park is not.
Location
The venue is situated outside the centre of the village.
This venue is situated in Great Notley.
The venue is not on a road with a steep gradient.
The nearest mainline Railway Station is Braintree.
Parking
This venue does have its own car park.
Parking is not free for all users.
Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
The car park is at the front of the venue.
The car park type is open air/surface.
Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
There are 3 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
The nearest designated bay is 66m (72yd) from the basement entrance.
The furthest designated bay is 80m (87yd) from the basement 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 uneven surfaces.
The car park surface is loose chippings.
Outside Access (The Discovery Centre - Accessible Entrance)
This information is for the entrance located at the back of the venue, at basement level.
There is level access to the service.
The main doors open towards you (pull).
The doors are double width.
The doors are heavy.
The door opening is 146cm (4ft 9in) wide.
There is a second set of doors.
The doors open towards you (pull).
The doors are double width.
The doors are heavy.
The door opening is 146cm (4ft 9in) wide.
Outside Access (The Discovery Centre - Main Entrance)
This information is for the entrance located to the side of the building.
There is not level access to the service.
The main doors open automatically.
The doors are double width.
The door opening is 106cm (3ft 5in) wide.
There is a second set of doors.
The doors open automatically.
The doors are double width.
The door opening is 106cm (3ft 5in) wide.
This entrance leads into the cafe.
Level Change (The Discovery Centre - Main Entrance)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
The ramp or slope is steep.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
The width of the ramp or slope is 130cm (4ft 3in).
There are steps to access this area/service.
The steps are located to the side of the entrance.
There are 17 steps to the area/service.
The lighting levels at the steps are medium.
The steps are clearly marked.
The steps are medium.
The steps do not have handrails.
The ramp overcomes the steps mentioned, and has a loose chippings surface.
Inside Access (The Discovery Centre )
There is level access to the service.
There is not a hearing assistance system.
This venue does not play background music.
The lighting levels are medium.
Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
Outside Access (The Park)
There is not level access to the service.
The main doors open (no doors).
The door opening is 160cm (5ft 2in) wide.
Inside Access (The Park)
There is not level access to the service.
Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
The park is accessed throughout by a series of easy, moderate and steep slopes.
Lift
There is a lift for public use.
The lift is located to the left as you enter the building.
The floors which are accessible by this lift are B-1.
The lift is 3m (9ft 10in) from the basement entrance.
Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
The dimensions of the lift are 1.1m x 1.4m (3ft 7in x 4ft 7in).
The clear door width is 80cm.
There are not 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 reach for a wheelchair user.
The lighting level in the lift is low.
The lift does have Braille markings.
The lift does have tactile markings.
Other Floors
The floors which are accessible by stairs are B-1.
There are 15+ steps between floors.
The lighting level is medium.
The steps are not clearly marked.
The steps are deep.
The steps do have handrails.
The steps have a handrail on the right side going up.
There is a landing.
Restaurant / Bar (Drakes Bistro)
The following information is for the cafe.
Once inside, there is level access to the service.
Food is available from the bar.
Full table service is not available.
Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
There is not a lowered section at the service counter.
There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
No tables are permanently fixed.
No chairs are permanently fixed.
No chairs have armrests.
The nearest table is 2m (6ft 6in) from the the discovery centre entrance.
The distance between the floor and the lowest dining table is 71cm (2ft 3in).
The distance between the floor and the highest dining table is 71cm (2ft 3in).
Menus are hand held.
Menus are not available in Braille.
Menus are not available in large print.
Picture menus are not available.
Menus are clearly written.
Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
The type of food served here is hot and cold snacks.
Accessible Toilet (Basement)
There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
Location of and access to accessible toilets
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 12m (13yd) from the basement entrance.
The accessible toilet is located to the left as you enter the building.
There is level access to the accessible toilet.
Features and dimensions of accessible toilets
This is a unisex 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 88cm (2ft 10in).
The door is heavy.
The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 200cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 6in).
Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
There is a lateral transfer space.
As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
The lateral transfer space is 87cm (2ft 10in).
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 a functional emergency alarm available.
It is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4in) from floor).
Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
There is not a coat hook.
Position of fixtures in accessible toilets
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 in the accessible toilet.
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 48cm (1ft 6in).
There is a hand dryer.
The hand dryer can be reached from seated on the toilet.
The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm.
There is not a towel dispenser.
There is not a toilet roll holder.
There is a sink.
The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
The sink is not placed higher than 74cm.
Colour contrast and lighting in accessible toilets
The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
The contrast between the grab rails and wall is poor.
The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is poor.
The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
Lighting levels are bright.
Accessible Shower (Basement)
Accessible shower facilities are available.
The showers are located to the right as you enter the building.
There are handrails.
There is a shower chair.
There is a flip down seat.
The height of the seat is 46cm (1ft 6in).
There is level access to the services from the shower facilities.
The shower room was being used for storage at the time of research.
Standard Toilet (Basement)
Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
Standard toilets are available.
Access to Standard Unisex Toilets
The unisex toilet is located to the left as you enter the building.
The unisex toilets are 16m (17yd) from the basement entrance.
Inside the venue, there is level access to the unisex toilet.
Lighting levels are bright.
Baby Change Facilities
Baby change facilities are not located within the venue.
Accessible Toilet (The Discovery Centre)
There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
Location of and access to accessible toilets
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 17m (18yd) from the discovery centre entrance.
The accessible toilet is located just beyond the cafe.
There is level access to the accessible toilet.
Features and dimensions of accessible toilets
This is a unisex 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 86cm (2ft 9in).
The door is heavy.
The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 240cm x 150cm (7ft 10in x 4ft 11in).
Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
There is a lateral transfer space.
As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
The lateral transfer space is 79cm (2ft 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 not a functional emergency alarm available.
It is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4in) from floor).
Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
There is not a coat hook.
Position of fixtures in accessible toilets
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 in the accessible toilet.
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 47cm (1ft 6in).
There is a hand dryer.
The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm.
The hand dryer is 106cm (3ft 5in) high.
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.
There is a sink.
The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
The sink is not placed higher than 74cm.
Colour contrast and lighting in accessible toilets
The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
The contrast between the grab rails and wall is poor.
The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is poor.
The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
Lighting levels are bright.
Standard Toilet (The Discovery Centre)
Access to Standard Female and Male Toilets
The female and male toilets are 18m (20yd) from the the discovery centre entrance.
Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilet.
Lighting levels are medium.
Baby Change Facilities
Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
The baby change facilities are located in the adapted toilet.
The height of the baby change table once extended is 89cm (2ft 11in).
Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
Additional Information
Staff do not receive disability awareness / equality training.
Plastic cups are available.
Plastic cutlery is not available.
Drinking straws are available on request.
Children are welcomed at the venue.
