Access Guide
Getting Here
- The venue is approximately 320 meters from the A20 London Road via Castle Road.
- There is limited site Blue Badge and standard parking available at the venue.
- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
- The nearest bus stop is 150 meters away on Newbury Avenue, with direct links to Maidstone.
- For more information on Nu-Venture Buses please click here (opens new tab).
- The nearest Railway Station is Maidstone Barracks.
- The nearest station is Maidstone Barracks, approximately 1.3 miles away with direct links to Maidstone East, Paddock Wood and Strood.
- For more information on Southeastern Railway please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on National Rail Enquiries please click here (opens new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; Braille on request, large print and different languages.
- There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- There are not mobility aids available.
Parking
- The venue does have its own parking facilities.
- The car park is located at the front of the venue.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park does not have a barrier control system.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
- There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 330cm x 890cm (10ft 10in x 29ft 2in).
- There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
- All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
- There are no parking charges for the car park.
- Parking is free for visitors of the venue.
- 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 slopes/ramps.
- The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
- The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac and concrete.
- There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).
Approach
- The surface of the approach is concrete.
- The approach surface is uneven in places.
- There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
- There is a slope with a very easy incline.
- The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has handrails on both sides.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
Entrance (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance sign says 'Allington Library'.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 115cm (3ft 9in).
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 70cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 84cm.
Reception
- The reception point is located directly ahead as you enter the venue.
- The reception point is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step-free access to the reception point.
- There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
- There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
- The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
- The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is a lowered section of the counter.
- The height of the lowered section at the counter is 74cm.
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
- There is a clear knee recess beneath the lowered section of the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
- Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
- The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet.
- There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.
Getting Around
- There is step-free access throughout the building.
- There are not doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet.
- There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
- There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests at regular intervals.
- The lighting levels are good.
- Wayfinding signage is not provided.
- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
- This venue does not play background music in public areas.
- There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.
Library
- The library is located directly ahead through the main entrance.
- The library is 3m from the main entrance.
- There is step-free access into the library.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single.
- The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
- The door has a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
- The type of flooring in the library is carpet.
- There are no potential trip hazards within the room.
- This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
- This library does have a regular supply of books in large print.
- This library does have a regular supply of books in audio format.
- There is an ordering service.
- There is a self-service book borrow/return machine available.
- The self-service machine touch screen is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- There is step-free access within the library.
- There are reading/study desks available.
- The majority of the reading/study desk(s) are 73cm in height.
- There are no height adjustable desks available.
- There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
- A member of staff is available to provide assistance.
- The library does have a computer area.
- The computer area is located on the left as you enter the venue.
- There is step-free access to the computer area.
- The majority of the computer desk(s) are 73cm in height.
- There is a height adjustable desk in this area.
- The library does not have computers with accessible software.
- Auxiliary aids are available for computer users.
- A large text keyboard, large rollerball mouse, height adjustable table and height adjustable chair is / are available.
- There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests in the computer area.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) for public use.
- The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located at the Mid Kent Shopping Centre on Castle Road.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are not available.