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About Us: NAO Headquarters, London

Map

Map of the NAO showing proximity to Victoria Coach, Underground and Railway Stations

Address

National Audit Office
151 Buckingham Palace Road
Victoria
London
SW1W 9SS
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7798 7000

Directions

From the front entrance of Victoria station, turn to your left past the small row of shops. Turn left at the Thistle Victoria Hotel into Buckingham Palace Road, when you reach Eccleston street cross over into Colonnade Walk where you will find the main entrance. 

Transport

Plan your journey using Transport for London's on-line Journey Planner.

 

Accessibility Guide


Accessibility Information for Visitors to the National Audit Office at their temporary London office at 151 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SS

  1. Controlled visitor access
    With the exception of duly authorised statutory authority officers, all visitors to the National Audit Office (the NAO) are subject to prior arrangement with their host. They must wear their visitors pass whilst on the premises and hand their pass into Security on leaving the building. Visitors must be accompanied by their host at all times.
  2. Location
    The NAO’s headquarters is located on Buckingham Palace Road, diagonally opposite Victoria Coach Station across the traffic light controlled junction with Elizabeth Bridge and Elizabeth Street, as indicated on the map located on this page, and is within 600 metres of two underground stations and one mainline station. A number of scheduled local bus routes serve the area. The main pedestrian entrance to 151 Buckingham Palace Road is within Colonnade Walk, a covered mall with a shallow ramped pedestrian access off Elizabeth Bridge.
  3. Public transport and surrounding area hazards
    Visitors using public transport should be aware that pedestrian routes within and adjacent to local stations are, as yet, not readily accessible. Wheelchair users, other ambulant disabled people and anyone who has a significant visual impairment should make enquiries with the relevant transport providers before embarking on their journey.
    Buckingham Palace Road and connecting streets are often congested with people who are unfamiliar with the area and who are impeded by luggage. Routes to the NAO from the various stations have numerous busy road crossings that are, generally, provided with tactile paving, dropped kerbs and pedestrian operated phased traffic lights with either visual or, in a few cases, audiovisual pedestrian indicators. It should be noted that some of the tactile paving is not colour coded. Pavement and road surfaces are generally good, but there is a high concentration of street furniture and bus stops.
    Visitors using public transport may wish to make arrangements with their host to be met at their alighting station or bus stop.
  4. Arrival by taxi or private car
    Taxis and private cars may drop passengers off immediately beyond the traffic light controlled junction on Elizabeth Bridge, which is a one-way street with strict parking restrictions. Subject to prior agreement, an accessible parking bay can be made available, under cover, at the rear of the building off Bulleid Way, the first junction on the left off Elizabeth Bridges beyond the traffic lights. Access to this covered parking area is via a security controlled gate. Security staff will provide directions and assistance to expected visitors who have been granted parking permission and will ensure that the guest’s host is alerted to their arrival. Level or reasonably sloped access suitable for wheelchair users is provided throughout the building.
  5. Main entrance
    The main entrance to the building is served by a fully glazed revolving door with yellow marker tape to indicate the leading edge of the surround and has reasonably appropriate manifestations and door furniture. Hinged fully glazed side doors are also available that, if locked, will be opened by Security upon request. A night bell is provided at waist level to the left of the entrance doors for use when Security or Reception staff are not immediately available.
    A shallow ramp is available to the left of Reception to avoid a short flight of steps up to the main building atrium area, where lifts are available to all floors.
  6. Reception
    All visitors to the NAO are required to report to Reception, where they will be issued with a Visitor’s (or Contractor’s) security pass. The reception desk is equipped with an induction loop and a magnifier. Plans are in hand to provide a new desk with a 750mm high recessed section for ease of communication with the Receptionist but, for now, wheelchair users may draw alongside the far end of the desk to communicate more easily with the Receptionist or await assistance beside the seating area. All visitors should be met by their host in Reception and their host is required to remain with them throughout their visit.
    A signature is normally required to acknowledge receipt of the temporary pass and it must be returned at the conclusion of your visit. A ring pen and shield are available upon request.
    There is a variety of seating available within the Reception area and public-facing staff are trained on ways that they can assist in making our building accessible. Visitors should not hesitate to discuss their particular needs with the Receptionist or with their host.
  7. Accessible toilets
    Two accessible toilets are available on each floor occupied by the NAO; these are situated within the normal male and female toilet areas. On the ground floor there is one accessible toilet situated in the female toilet area in the grey core and an accessible shower in the unisex changing area.
  8. Lifts
    Lifts to all floors comply with good practice having large, low level, tactile controls and both visual and audible announcements. The main lifts in the atrium are fully glazed and principal access to all floors is by way of proximity pass controlled, automatic, fully glazed doors that are not activated by temporary passes.
  9. Audibility
    Induction loops are available, by prior arrangement, in the meeting rooms.
  10. Horizontal access
    Level access is generally available throughout the building and, where ramps have been provided in Reception and to the Restaurant, they are laid to a shallow slope. The only ramp that may necessitate assistance for some wheelchair users is a short ramp from the car park. The office is largely open plan. However, internal meeting room, toilet and fire exit doors are not currently fitted with low resistance closers or vision panels.
  11. Emergencies
    Any visitor who is unable to use the emergency stairways unaided should advise their host so that a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan may be drawn up to ensure their safety in the event of a fire alarm or terrorist threat during their visit. Clearly marked temporary refuge points are available on the emergency stairway landings at each fire exit on each floor. Anyone using this facility must use the Fire Telephone to alert Incident Control of their whereabouts.
  12. Visual impairment
    Upon request, information can be provided verbally, in large print, on audiotape or in Braille.
  13. Contacts
    The NAO Head of Facilities and the Health & Safety Manager will be pleased to provide further assistance and may be contacted on telephone +44 (0)20 7798 7000.
  14. Other building users
    151 Buckingham Palace Road is also used by the Training and Development Agency for Schools.



See also:
   Blackpool Office
   Newcastle Office

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