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Lionel Robbins Building

10 Portugal Street, London, WC2A 2HD

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is sloped and stepped.
  • John Watkins Plaza is located in front of the venue and has slight slopes leading up to the Lionel Robbins building main entrance.
  • There are also 3 unmarked steps with tactile paving at the top and bottom.
  • There are handrails at the steps at the far end from the café.
  • Access from Portugal Street is via a slight slope with no handrails.
  • There is a steep slope with handrails both sides linking the plaza to the Centre Building Courtyard.
  • There are 8 unmarked steps with no handrails leading from the Centre Building Square.
  • The most accessible entrance surveyed was the main entrance at the front of the building off John Watkins Plaza.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor entrance foyer.
  • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
  • There is 1 other entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the other entrance.
  • The alternative entrance is to the left of the main entrance off Portugal Street.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access between floors via lift.
    • Access to the reception area on the ground floor is via a steep ramp.
    • The ramp is long and is increasingly steep towards the top right. The ramp retains a slight incline to the left hand side along its length.
    • Access to the computer area opposite the lifts on the first floor is via a slight slope.
    • There is a similar ramp at the end of the corridor to the left of the lifts on the first floor and also the fourth floor leading to the silent area and seating areas.
    • Access to the lower ground floor from the lifts is via 5 steps.
    • These steps have handrails on both sides.
    • Access to the lower ground floor from the lifts is via a slight ramp.
    • The ramp bypasses the steps. This level change connects the lower ground floor lift lobby to the rest of the lower ground floor.
    • There are also 3 clearly marked steps without handrails at this location.
    • There are slight ramps throughout the building which are marked by a contrasting carpet colour.
  • Circulation View
    • There are no doors to open along circulation routes.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along the majority of circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is patterned.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signage is consistent throughout.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests, sofas, benches, stools and high stools.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 6 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are located on the lower ground, ground, first, second, third and fourth floors.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are also signed for uses as gender inclusive toilets.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the standard toilets on the first, second and third floors.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located on all floors.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking and standard parking is available.
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Portugal Street.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.

Main Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, off John Watkins Plaza.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a single automatic door, which is push pad activated.
  • The height of the push pad is 90cm.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 89cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors, which are push pad activated.
  • The height of the push pad is 87cm.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 180cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 105cm.
  • The automatic entry doors are in the centre of the first doors. There are double manual doors on the left and the right.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located to the left as you enter the library area.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 20m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There are security barriers with a wider opening which are operated by staff.
    • There are three reception desks in this area. The enquiries desk and library support desks have a height of 76cm. The Security desk has a height of 93cm.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this library includes: chairs without armrests, sofas, benches and stools.
  • Some seating is fixed.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables and desks.
  • Some tables are fixed.
  • The surface height of some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: Braille, large print, ebook and ejournal.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: ergonomic chairs, adjustable foot rests and large letter key keyboards.
  • Height adjustable tables are available in the library.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right after passing reception.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 25m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • The lower ground floor, ground floor, and floors 1, 2, 3 and 4 can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 1000kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 89cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 109cm (width) x 210cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities and a visual floor indicator.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs

  • The stairs are located ahead from reception, on the right.
  • The lower ground floor, ground floor, and floors 1, 2, 3 and 4 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 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 steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the left as you enter via the main entrance, immediately after the entrance doors.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is a manual door along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door is push pad activated.
    • The height of the push pad is 91cm.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The width of the opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a push pad lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a low colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 151cm (width) x 260cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 82cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 98cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 71cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 104cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a long mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 173cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.