Access Guide
Getting Here
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By Road
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- Head east on the A28 Canterbury road to Westgate-on-Sea. After passing St Augustine's on the right you will come to the St Mildred's Road junction. Turn right onto Minster Road and the library is immediately on your left.
- The library has a small car park to the right of the building.
There are no Blue Badge bays or marked standard bays in the car park.
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By Bus
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- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
- The nearest bus stop is located on Minster Road, slightly to the right of the car park.
- For more information on 8A bus route and timetable for Westgate Library please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Westgate-on-Sea.
- Westgate-on-Sea Station is approximately 0.2 mile (5 minute walk) from the library.
There is a bus stop directly outside the station. - For more information on Westgate-on-Sea Station 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.
- British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; Braille on request, large print on request, different languages on request and audio on request.
- 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.
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Parking
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- The car park is located to the right side of the building.
- 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.
- Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
- There are no marked out bays in the car park.
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Paying
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- There are no parking charges for the car park.
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Access from the Car Park
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- 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 entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
- The route from the car park to the entrance is not clearly signposted.
- The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac and concrete tiles.
- There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
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Drop-off Point(s)
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- There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).
Approach
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Approach
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- The approach surface is uneven in places.
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Comments
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- The surface of the approach is concrete tiles, concrete and tarmac.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped 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.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 75cm.
- 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) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 80cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp with a very easy incline.
Outside Access (Side Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the far left of the building.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is stepped 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.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 150cm.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 2 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
Reception
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Reception
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- The reception point is located to the left as you enter from the main entrance.
- The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) 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 no 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 76cm.
- 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 bell to attract attention.
- 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 provided in the reception area.
- The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet.
Library
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Library Access and Circulation
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- There is step-free access into the library.
- The type of flooring in the library is carpet.
- There are potential trip hazards within the room.
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Library Services
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- 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 step-free access within the library.
- There are reading/study desks available.
- The majority of the reading/study desk(s) are 74cm in height.
- There are no height adjustable desks available.
- The seats do not have armrests.
- A member of staff is available to provide assistance.
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Computer Area
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- The library does have a computer area.
- The computer area is located in the children's section.
- There is step-free access to the computer area.
- The majority of the computer desk(s) are 76cm 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 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.
Other Floors
- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are for public use.
- The stairs are located to the far left of the library.
- The stairs are approximately 40m from the main entrance.
- The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- There are manual, heavy, double doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not easy to grip.
- Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
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Other Information
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- The room(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are a conference/office space that can be hired.
Area(s) (First Floor)
- The facilities/services located on the first floor include; A room/theatre to hire and the community warden's office..
- There is not step-free access throughout the area.
- There is/are 4 unmarked step(s), with no handrails, for access to the stage/community warden's office.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps in level change 1 can be seen in photograph 1.
- There is/are 6 unmarked step(s), with no handrails, for access to the stage/community warden's office.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are through a single, heavy, manual doors that opens away from you (push), with an opening width of 76cm (shown in photograph 2).
The steps in level change 2 can be seen in photograph 3. - There are doors in lobby areas/corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet and wood.
- Not all of the main walkway(s)/aisle(s) in the open plan office(s) are wide enough for wheelchair users to pass.
- The type of flooring in the open plan/communal areas is carpet and wood.
- There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of areas.
- Access to other floors/levels is via stairs.
- There are no height adjustable desks in this area.
- There are not desks which are potentially accessible for wheelchair users in this area.
- Seating in this area includes; chairs with armrests and chairs with no armrests.
- Wayfinding signage is not provided.
- There is no overhead signage in this area.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- None of the doors in this area have Braille signage.
- None of the doors in this area have tactile signage.
- There is not background music in this area.
- There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.
