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Library

Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, London, TW1 4SX

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • The library is a medium sized building with 2 floors.
    • There is 1 main lift and 2 main staircases.
    • The floors are signed as ground floor and first floor.
    • There is step-free access between the Library and J Block and 1850 on the ground floor.
    • There is not a toilet with adaptations available.
    • View information on J Block and 1850.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
    • There is a campus car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
    • There is on-street Blue Badge Bay parking.
    • The nearest step-free train station is Strawberry Hill.
    • The main lift within the library provides step free access to the main entrance of the Chapel, as well as step free access to the first floor.
      There is an accessible entrance from the rear of the library into The Crypt Chapel.
    • There is access from the library to the Dolce Vita Cafe by a linking corridor located at the right side of the library as you enter.
  • Related Access Guides View

Getting Inside

  • There is uneven paving on approach to the front of the building.
  • There are five entrances into the Library.
  • There is level access into the main entrance which has automatic doors.
  • There is level access by via the link entrance from J Block and 1850. This entrance has a single permanently held open door.
  • The lift can be accessed externally to the building and has step-free level access.
  • There are two step-free level entrances into the upper part of the ground floor study area. One of these is accessed by two sets of double doors, the other via a single automatic door. This area of the building these entrances lead into has stepped only access internally to the vast majority of the library. .
  • The main entrance is signed as Library + Hub.
  • The two entrances into the study area on the ground floor are not signed.
  • There is no signage at the link from J Block and 1850.
  • The main entrance leads directly into the library foyer and reception area on the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the majority of the building.
  • There is a slight ramp with handrails on either side to access the lower study area on the ground floor. This ramp bypasses a set of three 16cm steps with handrails on either side.
  • There is an area towards the front of the study area on the ground floor that is step-free via the external Study Area entrances only. Access from within the library is via three 16cm steps from the lower study area of the library on the ground floor.
  • There is a small steep slope to access the movable shelving on the ground floor.
  • There are two steps to access the gender inclusive toilets on the ground floor.
  • On the first floor there are two 12cm steps to access the silent study area.
  • There are some areas of the library with hard and smooth flooring, with some having a shiny finish and there is an area of patterned carpet in the entrance foyer.
  • The majority of the flooring is carpeted.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • There is wall mounted wayfinding signage provided throughout the building.
  • There are doors in some of the circulation routes.

Parking (Campus Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Waldegrave Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 490cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 60m from the Library Main Entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy ramp or slope.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, visitors and permit holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 2 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 230cm (width) x 490cm (depth).
    • The controls are not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • 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.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • 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 are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 172cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • The minimum width between the fixed barriers is 128cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located to your right on entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 98cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is patterned.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables, coffee tables, desks and booths.
  • Some chairs and tables are fixed.

Library

  • There is not step-free level access throughout the library.
  • Access throughout the library may include manual doors.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs, sofas, benches and stools.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, height adjustable tables, desks, height adjustable desks and booths.
  • Some chairs and tables are fixed.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 105cm to 136cm from the floor.
  • The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: large text.
  • When made accessible the height of the touchscreen display ranges from 105cm to 125cm from the floor.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: ejournal.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: ergonomic chairs.
  • Accessible software available for the computers includes: Texthelp Read&Write and Mindview.

Assistive Technology Room

  • The room is located in the lower study area of the library on the ground floor.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 50m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has a slight ramp or slope.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 118cm.
  • There is a single automatic door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 82cm.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 90cm.
  • 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: desks and height adjustable desks.
  • The desks are fixed.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Announcements are visual.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to your right on entrance.
  • The distance from main entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground and first floors 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 weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 108cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a mirror to aid reversing and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The lift can also be accessed externally to the building. .

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located in front of you on entrance via the main entrance.
  • The ground floor and the first floor 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 even at the time of the survey.

Standard Toilet Facilities

  • The gender inclusive toilet facilities were surveyed.
  • The toilets are located in the lower area of the ground floor.
  • The distance from main entrance is 50m.
  • The most accessible route has a slight ramp or slope.
  • There is step-free level access into the toilets.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 74cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There are no ambulant toilet facilities available.
  • There is a wash basin available.
  • The wash basin has a push tap.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.