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Van Mildert College - Derwent Block

Van Mildert College, Durham University, Mill Hill Lane, Durham, DH1 3LH

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Access Guide

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Accommodation Summary (Derwent)

  • Parking and Transport View
    • The accommodation shares another buildings parking facilities.
    • No secure parking is available.
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
    • There is a university bus service stop within approximately 200 metres of the residence.
  • Residence Information View
    • This residence is made up of single rooms with shared facilities in catered hall of residence buildings.
    • The residence surveyed was Derwent Block.
  • Accessible Accommodation Information View
    • The accommodation has 55 rooms in total.
    • There is not an/are not accessible room(s) within the accommodation.
    • There is not an/are not adjoining room(s) available for the accessible room(s).
    • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.
  • Standard Accommodation Information View
    • There is standard accommodation on the ground floor.
    • Ground floor accommodation does have level access.
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors cannot be accessed by lift.
    • There is not an/are not adjoining room(s) available for the standard room(s).
  • Amenities and Communal Facilities View
    • There is not a convenience store within approximately 200 metres of the residence.
    • Communal facilities within this residence include a staffed reception, a launderette, a common room, a recreation room, a bar and a study area.
  • Additional Accessibility Aids View
    • There is not a deaf alert system available on request.
    • Vibrating pillows alarms are available on request.
    • Bed raisers are not available on request.
    • Portable hoists are not available on request.

Getting Here (Van Mildart College)

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • The name of the car park is Van Mildart College.
    • The car park is located in front of the main building and on the service road off Mill Hill Lane.
  • 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.

Site/Campus Car Park (Van Mildart College)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Mill Hill Lane by the main building with additional parking on the service road below.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Van Mildert College main building, Deerness Block and Derwent Block.
    • 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 available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 240cm x 500cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The marked zone is 120cm wide.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by staff, Blue Badge holders and permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
  • 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 clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is not a campus map available within the car park.
    • The nearest designated bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • There are 3 additional Blue Badge bays on the service road in front of Deerness Block. There are 2 additional Blue Badge bays and standard parking on the service road at the north end of the main building with ramped access to the JCR entrance and Derwent Block.

Outside Access (South Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the south end of the block by the Main Building.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'DERWENT STAIRS'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is 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 not an intercom.
    • A key code is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key code reader is 139cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 68cm.

Outside Access (North Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the north end of the block by the Tees Block.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'DERWENT STAIRS'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is 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 not an intercom.
    • A key code is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key code reader is 139cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 68cm.
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.

Inside Access

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is not step-free access throughout the building.
    • The type of flooring is carpet.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music/sound.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located ahead as you enter.
    • The stairs are approximately 3m from the East Entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, double doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2 and 3.
    • 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 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 not 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 not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.
  • Other Information View
    • The room(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are all rooms on the first, second and third floors.
    • There is a similar staircase at the north end of the building with hand rail on the left (photographs 6 to 10).

Kitchen/Dining Area

  • The kitchen/dining area is accessed by a single door with an opening width of less than 75cm.
  • Lowered work surfaces are not available.
  • The height of the lowest work surface is 91cm.
  • The kitchen does have an unobstructed floor space of at least 150cm × 150cm.
  • There is a knee recess under a work surface.
  • A knee recess is provided adjacent to the refrigerator.
  • Knee recesses are at least 80cm wide.
  • There are some low level cupboards.
  • There is a kitchenette on each floor off the north stairwell. The ground floor kitchenette has an under-worktop refrigerator (photograph 6).

Launderette

  • The launderette is on the ground floor off the main corridor. There is a washing machine with door 35cm high and controls 107cm high. There is a dryer with door 40cm and controls 103cm high. There is not a 150cm by 150cm circulation space.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located on each floor.
  • There is not level access to the shower facilities.
  • There is a medium to deep step into each shower tray between 16cm and 27cm deep.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located on the ground floor main corridor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m from the North Entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There are cubicles on every floor. Cubicles do not have wash basins.