Access Guide
Summary
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Service
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- The Students' Union is located to the north of Cardiff City Centre, along Senghennydd Road.
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Building
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- Services / Facilities within the building include; a nightclub, bars, communal spaces, events hall, a studio, student services, a shopping arcade and a prayer room.
- The Great Hall link (new tab) - click here.
- Y Plas link (new tab) - click here.
- Student Arcade link (new tab) - click here.
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
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- Accessible toilet facilities are located on all floors of the building.
- Female standard toilet facilities are located on Floors 1, 2 and 3.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located on Floors 1, 2 and 3.
- Shared standard toilet facilities are located on Floor 3 and Floor 4.
- Gender neutral toilet facilities are located on Floor 1.
- Baby changing facilities are located on the Ground Floor and Floor 1.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- The building is located to the north of Cardiff City Centre.
It can be reached by following the A470 towards the city centre and then following signage for Cardiff University. - There is pay and display car parking available on Park Place and within the civic centre (along College Road, City Hall Road, King Edward VII Avenue and Museum Avenue).
Parking typically costs around £3.40 for two hours.
Payment is by coin or debit/credit card.
Parking in the North Road car park was £12 per day at the time of the survey (October 2024).
There are additional car parks located around the area.
- The building is located to the north of Cardiff City Centre.
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By Bus
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- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
- The Cardiff University bus stop is located along Park Place and serves Megabus M19.
The Park Place Bus Stop serves National Express 507, National Express 509, National Express 111 and National Express 216. - For more information on Cardiff Buses please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Cathays.
- Cathays station is located 100m from the lift to Park Place Entrance - External.
- For more information on Cathays Station please click here (opens new tab).
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Useful Links
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- For more information on Transport for Wales, please see below.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- For more information on train schedules and transport please see the National Rail website below.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Useful Information
- To see more information on Student Disability Service and Student Support please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 029 2251 8888.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Library Services please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 029 2087 4818.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Accommodation please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 029 2087 4849.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on IT Services please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 029 2251 1111.
- Email: [email protected].
Building Parking
- The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
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Site/Campus Car Parks
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- There is not a site/campus car park within approximately 200m.
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Public Car Parks
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- There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
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On Street Parking
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- Clearly signed and/or marked on street Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 205cm x 600cm (6ft 9in x 19ft 8in).
- The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on Senghennydd Road.
- Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are available.
- The dimensions of the standard marked parking bays are 203cm x 520cm (6ft 8in x 17ft 1in).
- The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Senghennydd Road.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Outside Access (Accessible Student Arcade Entrance - Ground Floor)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on Senghennydd Road, to the left of the building.
- This entrance gives access to the Ground Floor.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Cardiff Students' Union'.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
- The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- There is a push pad/button to enter and exit the main automatic doors.
- The entry push pad or push button is 90cm from floor level.
- The exit push pad or push button is 93cm from floor level.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 160cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is a ramp with a very easy incline.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located beyond the entrance doors.
Outside Access (Student Arcade - Ground Floor)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on Senghennydd Road, to the right of the building.
- This entrance gives access to the Ground Floor.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Cardiff Students' Union'.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
- The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 160cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is a ramp with a very easy incline.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located beyond the entrance doors.
Inside Access (Student Arcade - Ground Floor)
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Access and Circulation
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- There is step-free access throughout the area.
- The type of flooring is vinyl.
- There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Signage
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- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
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Safe Place(s)
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- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
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Audio
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- This area does not play background music/sound.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Lift (Central)
- The lift is located in the Central Stairs lobby.
- Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the Senghennydd Entrance.
- 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 Ground, Floor 2, Floor 3 and Floor 4.
- The weight limit for the lift is 900kg.
- There is a single door with an open extension leaf which is permanently held open to access lift lobbies on all floors.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is not 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 visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is low.
- The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 115cm x 180cm (3ft 9in x 5ft 11in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is not 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 have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting levels in the lift are good.
Other Floors (Central Stairs)
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are located to the rear right of the Welcome Centre Reception.
- The stairs are approximately 30m from the Park Place Entrance.
- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
- There are double manual doors which are permanently held open to enter/exit the stairwell on all floors.
- The floors which are accessible by the stairs are Ground, Floor 1, Floor 2, Floor 3 and Floor 4.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The depth of the steps is 29cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
Toilet with Adaptations (Student Arcade - Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located along the Student Arcade corridor, straight ahead after entering via the Accessible Student Arcade Entrance.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the Accessible Student Arcade Entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The visual contrast between the external door and wall is medium.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is light.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is medium.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The visual contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 155cm x 242cm (5ft 1in x 7ft 11in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin and a waste disposal bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the left.
- There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat visual contrast is low.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 98cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 74cm (2ft 5in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is push.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 105cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 94cm (3ft 1in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is medium.
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Baby Changing Facilities
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- Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- There is a flip down baby change table available.
- The height of the baby change table is 89cm.
Toilet with Adaptations (Student Arcade - Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located along the Student Arcade corridor, in the right end of the building after entering via the Accessible Student Arcade Entrance.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 70m (76yd 1ft) from the Accessible Student Arcade Entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The visual contrast between the external door and wall is medium.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is light.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is medium.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The visual contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 155cm x 234cm (5ft 1in x 7ft 8in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the right.
- There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is not a mirror.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat visual contrast is low.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 98cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is push.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 98cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 104cm (3ft 5in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is medium.
