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Law Reading Rooms

Clare College, Memorial Court, Queen's Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 9AJ

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Access Guide

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Getting To and Around Clare College (Memorial Court)

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • Clare College has 3 sites; Memorial Court, Old Court and The Colony. Memorial Court is located off Queen’s Road (A1134), just to the West of the city centre. This part of the city can be accessed most easily from the M11 via Junction 12 or 13. There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
    • There is very limited parking at Clare College and it is strictly controlled. Anyone parking on-site must have prior permission via the Head Porter. Students are generally not permitted to use cars in the immediate locality unless given permission based on specific requirements. At Memorial Court there is parking on the access road in front of the Porters’ Lodge and along Thirkill Drive and the access road leading to Lerner Court. There are no marked parking bays for Blue Badge holders.
    • Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cambridge. The city is relatively flat and there is an extensive network of cycle routes. There is provision for bicycle storage at Clare College.
    • For more information on directions to Clare College please click here (opens new tab).
    • For more information on cycle routes and maps in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Bus View
  • By Train View
  • Accessing the College Site View
    • There are three driveways in Queen’s Road which give access to the Memorial Court site. All have vehicular access with parking along them and none of them have a dedicated footpath for pedestrians so care should be taken. The central one is the only one which does not have a vehicle security barrier but is the only one with stepped access. It also has a gate for pedestrian access (Photograph 1). The gate is permanently held open and has an opening width of 90cm. Beyond the gate the straight driveway is level with a tarmac surface but is slightly uneven in places with some loose stones (Photograph 2). There are then 12 steps leading up to the passageway into Memorial Court where the Porters’ Lodge is located (Photograph 3). The steps do not have handrails or markings.
    • The driveway to the left (or south) of the one described above, is called Thirkill Drive and it leads to Thirkill Court at the rear left of the site. This is a vehicular entrance, and it is controlled by a security barrier. There is a path to bypass the barrier, but it is very narrow (width 66cm) and is via a vehicle turning bay (Photograph 4). After the security barrier the driveway has a tarmac surface, which is uneven in places, and a very slight upwards gradient (Photograph 5). As you reach the front of the Memorial Court building there is a footpath to the right that connects the 3 driveways and can be used to bypass the steps in front of the Porters’ Lodge. The path is flat with a tarmac surface and a minimum width of 130cm (Photograph 6). If you continue along the driveway instead there is access to Thirkill Court via a wide open gateway (Photograph 7).
    • The driveway to the right (or north) leads up to Lerner Court at the rear right of the site. This is also a vehicular entrance which is controlled by a security barrier (Photograph 8). The barrier does have an intercom system at a height of 103cm. To the left of the security barrier there is a path, but it is narrow past the barrier (width 75cm) before it widens to 100cm. The path has a surface with consists of a metal grid over packed loose stones and may not be suitable for some. The path and driveway have a slight but long upwards gradient (Photograph 9). At the end of the driveway there is a pedestrian gate leading into Lerner Court (Photograph 10). The gate is held open and has an opening width of 165cm.
    • In addition to the three driveways, pedestrians with key cards can also access the College via the rear gate which is located outside University Library. The gate opens away from you (push) and is heavy (Photograph 11). The opening width is 90cm and the card reader height is 112cm. The rear gate gives access to Ashby Court.
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • The College site itself is mostly level with paths running around the edges of the courts and around the central library. The majority of paths are wide (150cm+) with a tarmac or flagstone/block paving surface (Photographs 12-15).
    • There are open passageways between courts with entrance widths of 96cm-115cm (Photographs 16 and 17). There are some paths which are narrowed by plants or furniture (Photographs 18 and 19).
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • Access into the buildings at Memorial Court varies and some have stepped access (Photographs 20 and 21). There is an external platform lift to overcome the steps at the Library entrance (Photograph 22) and some entrances have temporary or permanent ramps (Photographs 23 and 24). Please see our Detailed Access Guides for further information on access to buildings.
    • There is limited directional signage around the College site (Photographs 25 and 26) which might mean those unfamiliar with the layout could need an escort or a map to reference.
    • There are many seats around the site for people to rest. Accessible toilet facilities are located in the Gillespie Centre.
  • Useful Links View
  • AccessAble Related Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking (Central Drive)

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by permit holders.
    • The car park is located along the driveway.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available.
    • The route from the car park to the building is not accessible to a wheelchair user.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • The car park is located in Thirkill Drive and the Lerner Court access road.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
    • There are some loose stones on the surface of the parking area.
      It may be possible to drop-off here but only with prior permission.

Site/Campus Car Park (Ashby Drive)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located along the access road leading to Lerner Court, off Queen's Road.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the ones in Lerner Court and R to P.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is step free access from this car park.
    • Buildings are not clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is not a campus map available within the car park.
    • There are parts of the parking areas that have loose stones on the surfaces.
      Access to this parking area is controlled by a security barrier.
      The security barrier has an intercom system.

Site/Campus Car Park (Thirkill Drive)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located along Thirkill Drive, off Queen's Road.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the ones in Thirkill Court and L to N.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is loose chippings.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is step free access from this car park.
    • Buildings are not clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is not a campus map available within the car park.
    • The majority of the parking area has a surface which consists of loose stones packed under a metal grid.
      Access to this parking area is controlled by a security barrier.
      The security barrier does not have an intercom system.

Getting To (The Law Reading Rooms)

  • Location View
    • The Law Reading Rooms are accessed via the J Staircase Entrance off Ashby Court.
    • J Staircase is near to the Forbes Mellon Library and can be reached from the Porters' Lodge Entrance or the Ashby Court Gated Entrance. The Law Reading Rooms are on the ground floor on either side of the J Staircase Entrance.
    • There is limited wayfinding signage along the route to the Law Reading Rooms.
    • Clare College - Memorial Court link (new tab) - click here.
  • Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
    • Gender neutral toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, to the right after you enter the J Staircase Entrance.

Approach (J Staircase Entrance)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is compacted gravel.
    • The approach surface is uneven in places.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has no handrails.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

Outside Access (J Staircase Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right-hand side of Ashby Court as you face the Library Entrance.
    • This entrance gives access to the Law Reading Rooms, a standard toilet and offices upstairs.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'J'.
    • 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 126cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Comments View
    • There is a worn down step/very slight slope around 3m in front of the entrance (Photograph 4).
    • The worn down step is only around 1-2cm high. It has a very slight slope and is uneven.
    • There is a dark mat before the entrance doors and two just inside the entrance doors. The one just after the entrance doors is slightly sunken causing a slight lip which could be a trip hazard.

Inside Access (Ground Floor Area between the Law Rooms and Standard Toilet)

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is step-free access throughout the area.
    • The type of flooring is carpet.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This area does not play background music/sound.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • There is step-free access between entrance, Law Rooms and the shared toilet.
    • There are steps to staff-only access doors towards the rear of the ground floor space, with a staircase leading up to the first floor.

Quiet Space(s) (Lipstein Law Reading Room)

  • Signage for the room(s) is not available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible on or near the door.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the room(s) from the corridor.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 63cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • The room does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Furniture can be moved to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
  • The entrance door has a key card reader outside to the right which is 137cm high. The push button to exit is 117cm high. The door has a slight lip on entry. The study space is available only by pre-booking via the Forbes Mellon Library Moodle Site (www.vle.cam.ac.uk). There is a bookrest for books to be laid on to read (Photograph 6). Books must not be taken from this room unless they are to be used in the Turpin Room or Library. There are various bookcases and two tables in separate parts of the room. One half of the room is accessed via a 100cm gap between the wall and a bookcase. Due to Covid-19 there was a limit of 2 people per study desk at the time of survey (August 2021).

Quiet Space(s) (Turpin Law Reading Room)

  • Signage for the room(s) is not available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible on or near the door.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the room(s) from the corridor.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 64cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • The room does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are not even.
  • Comments View
    • The key card reader to the left as you enter is 100cm high. The push button to unlock the door and light switches are 116cm high.
    • The entrance has a slight lip.
    • There was a maximum occupancy of 1 person due to Covid-19 at the time of survey (August 2021).
    • The study space must be pre-booked via the Forbes Mellon Library Moodle Site (www.vle.cam.ac.uk).
    • Any further questions can be asked at the Porters' Lodge or to the librarian ([email protected]).
    • There are electrical access covers which could be trip hazards if furniture is moved (Photograph 7).
    • There is an adjoining room with a single, light, manual door that opens away from you (push) to a width of 74cm (Photographs 4-6).
    • This room has two computers and a printer on a desk that is 64cm high. Only one computer was in use at the time of survey due to Covid-19. The light switch is 136cm high.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located in the Gillespie Centre.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The gender neutral toilet is located on the ground floor, to the right after you enter the J Staircase Entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 1m from the entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is poor.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 85cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • The door width to the toilet is 63cm and there is a slight lip on entry/exit. The written signage says it is a gender neutral toilet and the pictorial signage indicates a shared toilet. The toilet is for library or law reading rooms students only. A sanitary waste bin and an open waste bin is available.