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Southbank Centre - Changing Places Facility

Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

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Access Guide

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Southbank Centre - Changing Places Facility

  • The Changing Places Facility is located on Level 1 of Royal Festival Hall.
  • The nearest entrance to the Changing Places is Royal Festival Hall - Level 1 Southbank Square.
  • There is step-free access from the entrance.
  • The Changing Places is 7m from the entrance.
  • The key for the Changing Places is located at the Welcome Desk on Level 2 - Royal Festival Hall.
  • Level 2 is accessed via the JCB Lift which is located directly opposite the Changing Places.
  • Alternatively, there is a telephone located next to the Changing Places which can be used to contact the Welcome Hub and a member of staff will bring the key to the Changing Places.
  • The height of the telephone handset is 120cm from the floor.

Getting Here

  • By Air View
    • The nearest airports to central London are London City Airport, London Gatwick and London Heathrow.
      London City Airport is connected to the centre by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Bank or Tower Gateway with interchanges to the rail and underground network at Canning Town and Stratford.
      From Gatwick Airport there are fast trains connecting to London Bridge Station.
      Heathrow Airport is connected by fast trains to Paddington Station and is also on the Piccadilly underground line.
    • For more information on travelling to London by air please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Road View
    • The South Bank Centre is located off Belvedere Road.
      The South Bank Centre is located in central London in the congestion zone.
    • There are four Blue Badge bays available for visitors located on the Queen Elizabeth Hall slip road off Belvedere Road (the road between Royal Festival Hall and Hayward Gallery). Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and use of them is free. You are required to display your Blue Badge as you enter the site. Vehicles that do not display a Blue Badge are refused entry.
      Free parking in the National Theatre Car Park and APCOA Cornwall Road Car Park is available to Blue Badge holders visiting the Southbank Centre. Please note, on Sunday when the National Theatre building is closed there is no step-free access from the car park.
      Please see the London South Bank Public Parking section in this access guide for more information on other public car parks in the area.
    • For more information on London Traffic please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Bus View
    • There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
    • Route RV1 stops on Belvedere Road (less than a minute’s walk away)
      Routes 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 521, N1, N68, N171 and N343 stop on Waterloo Bridge (a 2 minute walk away)
      Routes 76, 77, 211, 341, 381, 507, N381, N76 and RV1 stop on York Road (a 5 minute walk away).
  • By Train View
  • By Underground View
    • The nearest underground station is Waterloo.
    • Westminster Underground Station (Circle and District Lines) is approximately 0.5 mile from the museum on the north side of Westminster Bridge.
      Westminster Underground Station has step-free access to platforms.
      Waterloo Underground Station (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City Lines) is approximately 0.2 mile from the museum.
      Of these lines, only the Jubilee Line has step-free access.
    • For more information on London Underground please click here (opens new tab).
  • By River View
    • Six TFL River Bus routes run from 22 piers between Putney and Woolwich.
      The Queen's Walk is served by the London Eye Millennium Pier, between Westminster Bridge and the Golden Jubilee Bridges and also Bankside Pier, to the east of Blackfriars Bridge.
      There is step-free access onto the river buses, except at three piers. Please see the TFL website for details.
    • For more information on the river bus please click here (opens new tab).

Parking (On-Site Car Park - Belvedere Road)

  • Parking View
    • The venue does have its own parking facilities.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
    • The car park is located off Belvedere Road.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
    • There is also an overflow car park for visitors.
    • Free parking in the National Theatre Car Park and APCOA Cornwall Road Car Park is available to Blue Badge holders visiting the Southbank Centre. Please note, on Sunday when the National Theatre building is closed there is no step-free access from the car park.
  • Blue Badge Parking View
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 310cm x 560cm (10ft 2in x 18ft 4in).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • 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 dropped kerbs.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
    • There is a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • There is some tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is a/are clearly marked drop-off point(s).
    • The drop-off points(s) is/are located off Belvedere Road.
    • The route from the drop-off point(s) to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
    • There is some tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the drop-off point(s) and the entrance.

Outside Access (Southbank Centre Square Entrance - Level 1 Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Southbank Centre Square, opposite the Haywood Gallery, by the on-site parking.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The main automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
    • The push pad or push button is 85cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 157cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
    • The push pad or push button is 85cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 159cm.
  • Comments View
    • There are also double (162cm opening width), heavy, manual doors that open both ways available at this entrance.
    • This entrance gives access to the Blue Side of the building.

Changing Places (Royal Festival Hall - Level 1)

  • Location and Access View
    • The facility is located on Level 1 of the Blue Side, opposite the JCB Glass Lift.
    • The facility is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the Level 1 Southbank Centre Square entrance.
    • The facility is in addition to standard and accessible toilets.
    • The facility is not located close to other managed facilities (e.g. reception or service counter).
    • There is level access into the facility.
    • The facility surveyed is for the sole use of disabled people.
    • The colour contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • You do need a key for the facility.
    • The key is not a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from the Welcome Desk.
    • There is not a sign at the entrance to the Changing Places facility indicating the location of the nearest toilets and baby changing facilities.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The width of the door is 89cm (2ft 11in).
    • The dimensions of the facility are 290cm x 410cm.
    • The ceiling height is not at a minimum of 2.4m.
    • There is a clear 200cm x 180cm manoeuvring space in the facility.
    • The facility has a non-slip floor.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is good.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The facility toilet has a transfer space on both sides.
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 83cm.
    • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 99cm.
    • Drop down rails are provided.
    • As you face the toilet the drop down rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • As you face the toilet there are vertical grab rails on both sides .
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the right of the toilet and wall is good.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a spatula flush.
    • There is not a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is an emergency alarm for the toilet.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The facility changing bench is wall mounted.
    • The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
    • The length of the facility changing bench is 178cm (5ft 10in).
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead.
    • The overhead hoist covers all areas in the cubicle.
  • Other Facilities View
    • A privacy screen is not available.
    • The type of wash basin is adjustable.
    • The wash basin tap type is sensor.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available at the wash basin.
    • As you face the wash basin, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • The colour contrast between the wash basin grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser is not at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 110cm.
    • Wide tear off paper roll is available.
    • The wide paper roll dispenser is not at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
    • The height of the wide paper roll dispenser is 110cm.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
    • The height of the hand dryer is 95cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser is at the recommended height of 80cm-100cm.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 98cm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is a/are general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is a coat hook.
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 112cm and 183cm from the floor.
    • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a wall mounted telephone next to the entrance to the changing place (shown in photograph 7), which connects directly to the Welcome Desk. This is to request a member of the Visitor Experience Team to bring the key. The height of the handset is 120cm.
    • There is also bench seating available outside the changing places (shown in photograph 8).

Lift (Blue Side - JCB Lift - Standard Lift)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located on the Blue Side.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is poor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 190cm x 205cm (6ft 3in x 6ft 9in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.

Reception (Level 2 - Welcome Desk)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located on Level 2 of the Green Side, near the Central Bar and Clore Ballroom.
    • The reception point is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the Level 2 Green Side Festival Terrace 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 counter is placed in front of a plain background.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are moderate to good.
    • 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 80cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
    • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is stone.
  • Reception Seating Area View
    • There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.

User Reviews