Carman Contracting has completed a significant project to enhance disability access and facilities at Portsmouth Crown Court. The design and build contract for multi-technical installation and maintenance provider, Equans, involved creating a new accessible toilet, two additional cells, and an upgrade to the courtroom docks to ensure the modernist-style court building complies with current equality and building legislation.

Previously, the court had good access for disabled members of the public, judges, and staff. However, there were insufficient facilities for defendants with mobility issues or disabilities. One of the key elements of the project was to create a new toilet within the existing custody suite, making it fully compliant with the Equality Act, also known as the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and Part M of the Building Regulations. The process involved removing the old toilet and installing a new anti-ligature pack, which included a toilet, sink, and fittings designed to prevent defendants from self-harming. The door openings were also widened to HMCTS (HM Courts & Tribunals Service) standards. Additionally, one of the cells was modified to make it DDA compliant by reversing the door to swing inwards, providing more manoeuvring space.

“Anti-ligature fittings are important in this type of environment as they remove any potential ligature points that could be used for tying cords or ropes,” said John Graham, Carman Contracting’s Operations Manager. “This eliminates self-harm risks and makes the spaces safer for anyone being held in custody.”

Carman Contacting’s team also constructed two new cells by repurposing unused areas of the custody suite to increase the court’s overall holding capacity. In the courtroom areas, floors were lowered, and doorway widths increased to allow improved access to the defendant’s dock. New ramps and a lift platform were also installed in the van dock area where defendants enter the court building.

With Portsmouth Crown Court remaining fully operational throughout the project, the work was completed out of hours when the custody areas were unoccupied. Our team followed strict security protocols to ensure no tools or materials, that defendants could potentially use as weapons, were left on site.  

Despite the complex nature of the project, Carman Contracting’s team meticulously planned every aspect of the contract, carrying out the complete mechanical and electrical design and completing the work on target in eight months.