You are on Overview. Skip to the next section.

Overview

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• About View
  • This is a Kent County Council Office with multiple services available.
  • Facilities available in the venue include: social services offices, meeting rooms and interview rooms.
• Parking and Public Transport View
  • The venue has its own car park.
  • There is on-street standard parking and a public car park nearby.
  • The name of the nearest car park is Meadow Road.
  • View information on Meadow Road Car Park (opens new tab) .
  • The nearest train station is Tunbridge Wells.
  • For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
• Getting In and Around View
  • There is step-free access via ramp 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 and narrow walkways.
  • Floors B, G, 1 and 2 can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
• Getting Help and Assistance View
  • There is seating available.
  • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
  • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille (on request), large print (on request) and different languages (on request).
  • The public would normally utilise only the main entrance, reception, interview rooms, meeting rooms, Weald Room, and the toilet with adaptations by the meeting rooms (which doubles as a standard shared toilet).
    The remainder of the ground floor, lift, stairs, all other floors and the car park are intended for staff use only, being used by the public only on rare occasions.
  • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
  • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
  • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.

You are on Toilet and Changing Facilities. Skip to the next section.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

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• Toilet Facilities View
  • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
  • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor, inside the lift lobby/stairwell, and next to the meeting rooms.
  • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
  • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located inside the lift lobby/stairwell and open plan offices on floor 1 and floor 2.
  • The female step-free toilet facilities are located inside the lift lobby/stairwell on the ground floor.
• Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
  • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations by the meeting rooms.

You are on Parking. Skip to the next section.

Parking

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• Car Park View
  • The car park is located to the rear and underneath the building, off Rock Villa Road.
  • The car park is open air/surface, underground and sheltered.
  • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
  • The height of the restriction barrier is 230cm.
  • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • The height restriction given is only for the underground/sheltered section of the car park.
• Charges and Restrictions View
  • This car park is for staff only.
  • Parking is free for all users.
  • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
  • The car park is intended for staff only, however, disabled visitors can arrange to park here in advance.
    Please note that there is a step from the car park into the building at the car park entrance, and that a key card/fob is required to gain access here (there is no intercom).
• Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
  • There are 2 electric vehicle charging points.
  • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 224cm (width) x 459cm (depth).
  • There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
• Drop-off Point View
  • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • EV owners are required to bring their own charging cables in order to use the charging points. The sockets are 120cm high.
    No payment is required to use the charging points.
• On-street Parking View
  • On-street standard parking is available.
  • There are several strips of marked standard on-street parking bays located along local roads, such as Mount Ephraim Road, Lime Hill Road, Dudley Road and Mount Ephraim.
    Most of this parking is free, but time-limited for non-permit holders. Please see signage for details.

You are on Stairs (Car Park to Front of Building - Main Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Stairs (Car Park to Front of Building - Main Entrance)

• The stairs surveyed are located at the far end of the underground section of the car park.
• The basement and ground floor can be accessed by these stairs.
• There are 16 steps between floors.
• The steps are unmarked and have a handrail on the left going up.
• The handrail is easy to grip.
• The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
• The handrail does 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 17cm.
• The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
• This is an external staircase, so lighting levels will vary depending on the time of day and weather conditions.

You are on Entrance (Main Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

• This entrance is located at the front of the building, on Hanover 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 access via ramp at the entrance.
• The ramp has a slight gradient.
• The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
• The ramp bypasses the steps.
• There are 2 steps with a handrail on the left going up.
• The handrail is easy to grip.
• The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
• The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
• The steps are unmarked.
• The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
• The height of the highest step is 18cm.
• The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
• There is a single manual door at this entrance.
• The door opens away from you.
• The width of the opening is 95cm.
• There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
• The door has a high visual contrast.
• There is step-free level access as you enter.

You are on Entrance (Basement Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Basement Entrance)

• This entrance is located in the underground section of the car park.
• The entrance area is clearly signed.
• There is stepped access at the entrance.
• There is 1 step.
• The step is unmarked.
• The height of the step is not between 15cm and 18cm.
• The height of the highest step is 12cm.
• There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 138cm.
• There is a single manual door at this entrance.
• The door opens away from you.
• The width of the opening is 66cm.
• The door has a high visual contrast.
• There is step-free level access as you enter.
• You enter through this entrance into the lift lobby on the basement floor.
  There are no other facilities on this floor. From here you take the lift up to floors G, 1 and 2 to access the building's main facilities.
  There is a touchscreen sign in/out point inside the building at this entrance, with a height range between 113cm and 127cm.

You are on Reception. Skip to the next section.

Reception

• The reception is located to the right as you enter the building through the main entrance.
• The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
• There is step-free level access to reception.
• The height of the reception desk is 94cm.
• There is not a lowered section at the desk.
• The reception has glazed screens and windows.
• There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
• The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
• The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 108cm to 121cm from the floor.
• The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: a screen reader and large text.
• There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
• There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
• Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.

You are on Getting Around. Skip to the next section.

Getting Around

• There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
• Access throughout may include manual doors and narrow walkways.
• Some flooring is shiny.
• There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
• There is background noise in some areas of the venue.
• Wayfinding signage is not provided.
• Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
• Wayfinding signage is not provided, but floor plans are available and most of the rooms and office areas have clear signs on the door.
  There is an open-plan office area located to the rear of the building on the ground floor. This contains height-adjustable desks with computers, along with standard height and high meeting tables at heights of 73cm and 106cm, with clear underside spaces of 72cm and 102cm respectively. Both have stools for seating.
  This area also contains a kitchenette equipped with a microwave, fridge and water dispenser (including boiling water tap). The worktop is 85cm high.
  There are similar open-plan office spaces with kitchenettes located on floors 1 and 2.

You are on Room (Interview Room 1). Skip to the next section.

Room (Interview Room 1)

• The room is located immediately to the left as you enter the building through the main entrance.
• The distance from the main entrance is 1m.
• The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
• There is written text and numbered signage on or near the door.
• There is step-free level access into the room.
• There is a key pad at a height of 156cm.
• There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
• The door opens away from you.
• The width of the opening is 77cm.
• Staff can operate the key pad if required.
• There is step-free level access throughout the room.
• There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
• The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
• Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests.
• Furniture available in the room includes: coffee tables.
• The surface heights are not suitable for wheelchair users.
• The clear underside space of the surfaces is not suitable for wheelchair users.
• 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.
• Interview Room 2 has very similar specifications to this one.

You are on Room (Meeting Room - Speldhurst Room). Skip to the next section.

Room (Meeting Room - Speldhurst Room)

• The room is located through the corridor to the left as you face the reception desk.
• The distance from the main entrance is 14m.
• The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access, manual doors and narrow walkways.
• 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 high visual contrast.
• The door opens away from you.
• The width of the opening is 86cm.
• There is step-free level access throughout the room.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• There is 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: tables.
• The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
• The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• Additional facilities/services include: a flashing fire alarm.
• 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.
• Sandhurst Room and Hawkhurst Room are in the same area and have similar specifications.

You are on Room (Weald Room). Skip to the next section.

Room (Weald Room)

• The room is located through the corridor to the left as you face the reception desk, then along the corridor to the left, and on the right.
• The distance from the main entrance is 16m.
• The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access, manual doors and narrow walkways.
• 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 high visual contrast.
• The door opens away from you.
• The width of the opening is 86cm.
• There is step-free level access throughout the room.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
• The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
• Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests and armchairs.
• Furniture available in the room includes: tables and coffee tables.
• Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
• The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• Additional facilities/services include: a play area.
• 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.

You are on Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Meeting Rooms - Right Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Meeting Rooms - Right Hand Transfer)

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• Location and Access View
  • The toilet surveyed is located through the corridor to the left as you face the reception desk, next to the meeting rooms.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 13m.
  • The most accessible route to the toilet has narrow walkways, manual doors and step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the facility.
  • There is pictorial and written text 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 high visual contrast.
  • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
• Dimensions and Features View
  • The dimensions of the cubicle are 218cm (width) x 219cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
  • The lateral transfer space is 136cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
  • There is a spatula flush on the 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 low 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 87cm from the floor.
  • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The wash basin is 74cm 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 medium visual contrast.
  • The soap dispenser is 91cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
  • The towel dispenser is 108cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
  • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
  • The hand dryer is 119cm from the floor.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
  • There is a mirror.
  • There is no shelf.
  • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
  • There are no coat hooks.
  • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 87cm.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Lift Lobby and Stairwell - Right Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Lift Lobby and Stairwell - Right Hand Transfer)

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• Location and Access View
  • The toilet surveyed is located to the right as you enter the lift lobby/stairwell from the reception foyer.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 8m.
  • The most accessible route to the toilet has manual doors and step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the facility.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
  • The door has a twist lock.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
• Dimensions and Features View
  • The dimensions of the cubicle are 137cm (width) x 192cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
  • The lateral transfer space is 70cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
  • There is a push button flush on the 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 47cm from the floor.
  • The toilet seat has a low 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 86cm from the floor.
  • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The wash basin is 73cm 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 medium visual contrast.
  • The soap dispenser is 106cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
  • The towel dispenser is 129cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
  • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
  • The hand dryer is 113cm from the floor.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
  • There is a mirror.
  • There is no shelf.
  • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
  • There is one coat hook.
  • The coat hook is 170cm from the floor.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Lift (Main Lift). Skip to the next section.

Lift (Main Lift)

• The lift surveyed is located straight ahead through the door at the far end of the reception foyer as you enter the building through the main entrance, then immediately to the left.
• The distance from the main entrance is 8m.
• The most accessible route to the lift has manual doors and step-free level access.
• Floors B, G, 1 and 2 are accessed by this lift.
• The lift door has a high visual contrast.
• The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
• The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
• All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 79cm.
• The internal dimensions of the lift are 103cm (width) x 128cm (depth).
• The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
• All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, an audible announcer and a visual floor indicator.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
• The visual floor indicator was not working at the time of survey (September 2024).

You are on Stairs (Main Stairs). Skip to the next section.

Stairs (Main Stairs)

• The stairs surveyed are located straight ahead through the reception foyer as you enter the building through the main entrance.
• Floors G, 1 and 2 can be accessed by these stairs.
• There are 18 steps between floors.
• The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
• The handrails are easy to grip.
• The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
• The handrails 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.
• There is an additional, very similar staircase located to the rear of the open-plan offices on floors G, 1 and 2.