Cumbria County Council

May 19, 2023

Direct Access provided accessibility audits for over 170 buildings under the jurisdiction of Cumbria County Council in what is considered one of the most scenic and attractive areas of the UK.

Our consultancy team delivered accessibility audits of 180 different sites, which include several County halls, primary schools, fire stations, community centres libraries, care homes, day centres, and office spaces in Cumberland and Westmorland, and Furness. Our audits included the iconic grade II listed Nan Tait Centre in the Hindpool area of Barrow-In-Furness.

Direct Access referred to the British Standards BS 8300 in our reports, the Part M Building Regulations, and the Equality Act 2010, fully committing ourselves to guiding Cumbria County Council to achieve their public sector equality duty.

Going beyond requirements by law to create environments that are attractive as well as accessible was a shared ambition of Direct Access and Cumbria County Council. Our consultancy team were mindful of the beauty of the largely rural county and made access recommendations that carefully considered the role of Cumbria as an area of natural beauty in the UK.

In keeping with our previous success with English Heritage accessibility projects, including Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, Shugborough National Trust, and our rejuvenation of Warkworth Castle for Historic England – Direct Access utilised our prior experience combined with an assessment of current interpretation provision and identification of opportunities to provide improved on-site and pre-visit information.

We advised on all aspects of the physical environment, including improved interpretation, signage, means of entry, curation and managing of sensory interaction, and, where appropriate, the provision of accessible equipment such as auxiliary aids.

Cumbria County Council

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