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Prettygate Library

Prettygate Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 4EQ

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Facilities available in the venue include: WiFi, Computers, Printing, Direct printing, Scanner, Photocopying (a need library card is needed), Study space, Bookstart packs, Battery recycling , Food caddy liners (£1.10 per roll), Colchester Toy Library, Everyone's Literacy Area and Blue Badge Assessments (by appointment only).
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors.
    • The ground and first floors can be accessed via a platform lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: large print and audio.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a public car park located in Prettygate Road.
    • The name of the car park is Prettygate Car Park.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located on Prettygate Road.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 88cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 128cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.

Reception

  • The reception is located ahead after entering the library.
  • The distance from the entrance is 6m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 95cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 73cm.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Getting Around

  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout the library, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout the library may include manual doors.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and armchairs.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, coffee tables and desks.
  • Some tables are fixed.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: large print and audio.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: handheld magnifiers and headsets.
  • Accessible software available for the computers includes: Zoomtext.
  • The self check-out and returns machine is ahead after you enter the library.
    The touchscreen has a height of 101cm - 120cm.
    The scanners for bar codes have a height of 77cm.

Room (Meeting Room)

  • The room is located to the left after you enter the library.
  • The distance from the entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 74cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: desks.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left after entering the library.
    • The distance from the entrance is 7m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is no signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 260cm (width) x 347cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 186cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 89cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 106cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 96cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 98cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located on the right after entering the library.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the entrance is 4m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground and first floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 100cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 102cm (width) x 148cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • The external lift controls consist of a key that needs to be turned to call the lift.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right after entering the library.
  • The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 19 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.