Access Guide
Getting To and Around Downing College
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Arriving By Car or Bike
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- Downing College is situated in Cambridge city centre. The vehicle entrance to the campus is located on Regent Street. There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
- Downing College has limited on-site car parking. The main parking area is located along North Range where there are 5 Blue Badge parking pays. There are some Fellows' parking bays in the area behind the Lord Butterfield Bar & Café but they were blocked off at the time of the survey. The College also leases parking for postgraduates outside some of the buildings on Lensfield Road. Students are generally not permitted to use cars in the immediate locality unless given permission based on specific requirements.
- Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cambridge. The city is relatively flat and there is an extensive network of cycle routes. At Downing College there are many sheltered cycle stands available on-site along the North Range access road and also in the service yard outside Battcock Lodge.
- For more information on getting to Downing College by road please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on cycle routes and maps in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
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By Bus
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- There is not a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
- There are bus stops in Regent Street close to the college.
The bus services that stop in Regent Street include; 1 citi, 3 citi, 7 citi, 13 gold, 13A gold, 13B gold 16A, 18, 26, 31, 75, 132, Park & Ride X3 and X13 gold.
These bus services give direct links to; Trumpington, Cherry Hinton, Addenbrookes, Fulbourn, Pampisford, Arbury, Fen Ditton and Hartford. The bus station in Drummer Street is approximately 650 metres away from Downing College. - Cambridge City Centre Bus Station AccessAble Access Guide (new tab) - click here.
- For more information on planning a bus journey in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Cambridge.
- Cambridge Station is approximately 1.1 kilometres away from Downing College. The station has direct links to London Kings Cross, London Liverpool Street, Cambridge North, Kings Lynn, Stansted Airport, Brighton, Ipswich and Norwich. The rail companies that operate out of this station are; Cross Country, Great Northern, Thameslink and Greater Anglia.
- For more information on Cambridge Station please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on planning a train journey to Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
- Cambridge Station AccessAble Access Guide (new tab) - click here.
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Accessing the College Site
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- The main pedestrian entrance to the College site is located on Regent Street. Access is via a single pedestrian gate with a card reader which is situated to the left of the vehicular entrance. The gate may be difficult for some to open and has an opening width of 100cm. The height of the card reader is 102cm.
- Pedestrians can also access the site via the Howard Gate, which is a pedestrian entrance situated in the Downing site of the University of Cambridge. The gate opens automatically away from you and is activated by either pressing the button (height 112cm) or using the card reader (height 110cm). The card reader must be used outside the hours of 10.00 – 16.30.
- Key card holders can also access the site via a pedestrian gate in Lensfield Road between Buildings 34 and 36. The gate is single, opens away from you (push) and may be difficult for some to open. The height of the card reader is 115cm and the opening width of the gateway is 110cm. There is a short steep downhill slope along the path just beyond this entrance.
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Getting Around the College Site
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- If you have accessed the College site by vehicle and parked in the designated Blue Badge Bays in the North Range area there is open step-free access to the network of paths around external areas of the Downing College site. The site is mostly level with wide paths (150cm+), but path surfaces do vary. The paths that run around the large central grass area (The Quadrangle and The Paddock) have a gravel surface that may not be suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Other areas have surfaced paths of various types (flagstone paving, tarmac, concrete, block paving and resin bound gravel). Most of the surfaced paths have a flat, smooth surface except some in the area outside Kenny A which is slightly uneven.
- There is stepped access to the West Lodge Garden. The steps do not have handrails. The external parts of the site are otherwise step-free except for access into buildings.
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Additional College Site Information
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- Many of the buildings at Downing College have stepped access into and around them. Due to the age of the buildings the staircases do vary in materials and layout. The height and depths of steps are not uniform and neither is lighting, handrail provision/type or step markings. There are some buildings which have been adapted to make them step-free, including access ramps to bypass external steps and internal lifts to access other floors. Please see our Detailed Access Guides for further information on access to buildings.
- There is not much directional signage around the site which means those unfamiliar with the layout will need an escort or a map to reference. Accessible toilet facilities are located in the Porters’ Lodge and B Stair near the Dining Hall.
- There are some bollards along paths and access routes. All bollards have a good colour contrast with the path surfaces. The width between the bollards is at least 90cm.
Useful Information
- To see more information on information for students with disabilities please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on University of Cambridge Disability Resource Centre please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 332 301.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Accommodation please click here (opens new tab).
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Admissions please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 334 826.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Health and Wellbeing please click here (opens new tab).
- Email: [email protected] for the Zoom link..
Site/Campus Car Park (North Range Parking)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located off Regent Street, past the Porters' Lodge, along the access road behind the Chapel.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are those at the north side of the site.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted but have no markings.
- There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 245cm x 470cm.
- The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
- The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by permit holders.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
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Car Park Access
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- There is step free access from this car park.
- Buildings are not clearly signposted from this car park.
- There is a campus map available within the car park.
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Comments
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- The car park surface is mostly resin bound gravel with some loose gravel surface electric vehicle and standard parking bays.
- There are 8 electric vehicle charging points.
Getting To (44 Lensfield Road)
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Location
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- 44 Lensfield Road is located along Lensfield Road to the South of the College.
- The building can be accessed off Lensfield Road.
- There is not wayfinding signage along the route to 44 Lensfield Road.
- Other services / Facilities within the building include; one accessible Hostel Keeper's studio flat and standard accommodation with shared bathroom and catering facilities.
- Downing College link (new tab) - click here.
Building Parking
- The building does have its own dedicated parking.
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Building Car Park
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- The car park can be used by student permit holders.
- The car park is located in front of the buildings.
- 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 accessible to a wheelchair user.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
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Site/Campus Car Parks
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- There is a site/campus car park for staff and visitors within approximately 200m.
- The name of the car park is North Range Car Park.
- The car park is located to the North of the Downing College Site.
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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 standard marked parking bays are available.
- The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Lensfield Road.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- Parking along Lensfield Road is pay and display parking.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the right of the building on approach from Lensfield Road.
- This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 159cm (5ft 3in).
- A key card is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the key card reader is 120cm.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
- There is a push pad/button to exit the main automatic doors.
- The exit push pad or push button is 100cm from floor level.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 90cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located to the left of the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up the ramp.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 121cm (3ft 12in).
Entrance (46 Lensfield Road)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located ahead after you enter the building.
- This entrance gives access to 44 Lensfield Road.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- 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 single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm.
- The door is located along the ground floor corridor between 44 Lensfield Road and 46 Lensfield Road.
Getting Around
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Circulation
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- There are no doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is tiles.
- Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors/walkways.
- There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
- There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Signage
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- Wayfinding signage is not provided.
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Audio
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- This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
Accommodation
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Accessible Room Information
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- This type of accessible room is located to your right on entrance to the building via the main entrance.
- There is step-free access to this type of accessible room.
- Residents do not need to open a door between the entrance and the room(s).
- The room surveyed does not have an adjoining room.
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Accessible Room Features
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- The accessible room surveyed is located to the right after you enter the building.
- The accessible room surveyed at the time of the visit was Hostel Keepers.
- There is step-free access to the accessible room surveyed.
- The colour contrast between the external room door and wall is high.
- The door is key card activated.
- The fob/card reader height is 90cm.
- The width of the door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- There are not lowered spy holes available.
- The colour contrast between the internal room door and wall is high.
- The bed height is not adjustable.
- The height of the bed is 58cm (1ft 11in).
- The bed is not moveable.
- The room does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm next to the bed.
- The desk N/A height adjustable.
- Wardrobes have not been adapted to allow use from a seated position.
- Electric sockets are between 40cm and 100cm (4ft) from floor level.
- The window controls are not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- There is not an emergency alarm in the room.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
- The type of flooring is carpet.
- The colour contrast between the room walls and floor is high.
- The lighting levels in the room are good.
- The hostel keepers area has its own kitchen and living room area.
The kitchen includes a height adjustable sink and work surface.
The non height adjustable part of the counter has a height of 93cm.
There is a table at a height of 75cm in the kitchen area.
There is also a work desk in the living room area with a height of 75cm and a knee recess of 65cm height and 70cm depth.
Seating in the Living rooms and kitchen area includes height adjustable chairs and sofas.
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Bathroom Facilities
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- This information relates to the ensuite.
- The colour contrast between the external bathroom door and wall is high.
- The bathroom door opens outwards.
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the door into the bathroom is 76cm.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
- The colour contrast between the internal bathroom door and wall is high.
- The dimensions of the bathroom are 175cm x 170cm.
- The bathroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The bathroom has a non-slip floor.
- The colour contrast between the bathroom walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm within the bathroom.
- The emergency pull cord alarm in the ensuite is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the bathroom.
- Disposal facilities are not available.
- There is a/are general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf immediately next to or behind the toilet.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin cannot 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.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- Taps do not have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
- There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The lighting levels in the bathroom are good.
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Toilet Details
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- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 94cm (3ft 1in).
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is low.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet, the wall mounted grab rails 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 colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rails to the left of the toilet and wall 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 50cm (1ft 8in).
- There are separate areas for the toilet and for the shower.
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Shower Details
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- The ensuite has a wheel in shower.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The shower control type is lever.
- Shower controls have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
- A shower chair is available.
- The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 50cm (1ft 8in).
- There is not a/are not wall-mounted grab rail(s) available for the shower.
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Comments
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- The accessible accommodation is in the Hostel Keeper Room on the ground floor of the building.
- The room is ensuite and has its own catering facilities.
- There is standard accommodation available within the building.
- The standard accommodation has shared bathroom and kitchen facilities.
Other Floors
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are located to the right after you enter the building.
- The stairs are approximately 4m from the entrance.
- The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by the stairs are G, 1, 2.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
- Handrails are not 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 good.
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Other Information
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- The service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are standard accommodation, the kitchen, and shared toilet and bathroom facilities.
Kitchen/Dining Area
- The kitchen/dining area is accessed by a single door with an opening width of over 75cm.
- The door is not push pad activated.
- Lowered work surfaces are not available.
- The height of the lowest work surface is 92cm.
- The kitchen does not have an unobstructed floor space of at least 150cm × 150cm.
- There is not a knee recess under a work surface.
- There are low level cupboards.
- The height of the dining table is 65cm.
- There are dining chairs without armrests only.
- The kitchen is located on the first floor of the building.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.