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Barking Town Hall

1 Town Square , Barking, IG11 7LU

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • The main entrance at the front of the building has stepped access.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the Council Chamber on the first floor and all seating beyond the back row in the Council Chamber.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors and doors permanently held open.
    • LG-G-1-2-3 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.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • British Sign Language Interpreters can be requested prior to your visit.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille (on request) and large print (on request).
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: phone charging points and Wi-Fi.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the first floor.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • The gender inclusive step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the first floor.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the first floor.

Parking

Entrance (Accessible)

  • This entrance is located on the right side of the building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp gradient varies between slight and steep.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 11 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are 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 steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a bell at a height of 158cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 126cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the ground floor, ahead and to the right as you enter from the accessible entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 18m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has doors permanently held open.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 83cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has a television and glazed screens.
  • 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 background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • The flooring is patterned.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • There is not 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: armchairs and sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the council chamber on the first floor and all seating beyond the back row in the council chamber.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of walkways.
  • Some of the walls have a reflective finish.
  • There is background noise which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is not consistent throughout.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable in some areas.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right of reception.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • LG-G-1-2-3 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift does not have 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 high visual contrast.
  • Some of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift was out of use at the time of the survey (September 2025).

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the rear right of reception.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • LG-G-1-2-3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ 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 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Seating Area (First Floor)

  • Location and Access View
    • The seating area is located on the first floor, ahead and to the right after exiting the lift.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • 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.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • Seating available in this area includes: armchairs.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Room (Council Chamber)

  • The room is located on the first floor, ahead and to the right after exiting the lift.
  • The distance from the lift is 9m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free access via ramp into the room.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 3 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are 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 steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 19cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 130cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have stepped access: all seating beyond the back row.
  • 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, chairs without armrests and benches.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: desks.
  • All desks and some seating is fixed.
  • 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.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a flashing fire alarm.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • The gallery seating is located on the second floor, accessible by the lift.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor, ahead and to the right after exiting the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
    • 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 85cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 212cm (width) x 175cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (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 no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 103cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 104cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer which requires hands to be inserted into the top.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 92cm 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 waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade, and unshaded light sources.