Access Guide
Summary
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Building
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- Services / Facilities within the building include; lecture theatres, computer rooms, teaching rooms, electronics laboratories, mechanical workshops and Postgraduate Research Offices.
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
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- Female standard toilet facilities are located on floors 0, 1, 2 and 3.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located on floors 0, 1, 2 and 3.
- Standard shower facilities are located on floor 2.
- COVID-19 Information View
Getting Here (Lower Mountjoy Site)
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By Road
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- The building is located in the Lower Mountjoy site toward the South Road entrance side (west). The A177 South Road links the A167 Darlington Road, at the Cock o' the North Roundabout with the A177 Stockton Road on the south side of the City Centre.
- There are individual Blue Badge bays across the site for permit holders. There is Blue Badge parking at the Lower Mountjoy site - South Road entrance.
There is a campus car park for standard parking on the other side (east) of the site, accessed from Stockton Road. This car park has electric car charging points.
The nearest public on-street pay and display parking is either on Stockton Road to the north-east, or Quarryheads Lane to the north-west. - For more information on getting to Durham University please click here (opens new tab).
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By Bus
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- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
- The nearest bus stops are on Stockton Road to the north-east of the site, "University - Palatine Centre" stops, served by bus routes 40BD, 56,57, 57A, 58, X12, M20 (westbound) and 853 (eastbound).
Additional bus stops are on Quarryheads Lane to the north-west, "New Inn - Quarryheads Lane" stops, served by bus routes 6, 21 (eastbound), 40BD, 56,57, 57A, 58, ED1, S1, N21 and X12.
. - For more information on bus services to the Lower Mountjoy site please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Durham.
- Durham Railway Station is located approximately 1.3 miles to the north of the Lower Mountjoy site, on the far side of the city centre and River Wear. Buses run from outside the station to the city centre. This station is a category A station and has step free access to all platforms. Interchange between the platforms is via a subway. Lift access is available to the subway from both platforms.
- For more information on local and national train service to Durham please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on services and facilities at Durham Railway Station please click here (opens new tab).
Useful Information
- Disability Support is located on the ground floor in the Palatine Centre, and provides information, advice and guidance to prospective and current students who disclose a disability as well as students who think they may have a disability.
The service is part of the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate. - To see more information on Disability Support please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Student Support and Wellbeing please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Applying To Durham please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on College Accommodation and Facilities please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Accommodation and Allocations Office please click here (opens new tab).
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 a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
- The name of the car park is Small Engineering Car Park or University Car Park.
- The car park is located behind the Christopherson Building.
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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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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Site/Campus Car Park
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Car Park
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- The car park is located in front of the Higginson Building.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Higginson Building.
- 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 and signposted.
- There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 230cm x 470cm.
- The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
- The marked zone is 117cm wide.
- The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by 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.
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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 not a campus map available within the car park.
- The nearest designated bay is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Higginson Main Entrance.
Site/Campus Car Park
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Car Park
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- The car park is located at the rear of Christopherson Building.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Christopherson Building, Advanced Computer Research - The Lodge.
- 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.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by 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.
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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 not a campus map available within the car park.
Approach (Front Entrance)
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Approach
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- The surface of the approach is block paving.
- There is a/are fixed bollard(s) on the approach .
- The bollard(s) does/do not have a high colour contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
- The bollards have a contrast band.
- There is a slope with a very easy incline.
Outside Access (Front Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Engineering Computer Science Christopherson Building'.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped 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.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 178cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located on the pathway to the far left of the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 122cm (4ft).
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 6 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
- 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 extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
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Comments
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- The lowered handrail on the steps is 47cm high.
- The building is built on an easy slope.
- The amount of steps reduces the further to the left you go.
- The minimum amount of steps is 2.
- The only steps covered by the handrails are the 6 mentioned in the section above.
Approach (First Floor Rear Entrance)
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Approach
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- The surface of the approach is tarmac and concrete tiles.
- The approach surface is uneven in places.
- The footpath narrows to 98cm as you pass along the rear of the building. At the start of the of the approach the surface is block paving.
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
- The ramp/slope is permanent, has a steep gradient and has no handrails.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 121cm (3ft 12in).
Outside Access (First Floor Rear Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
- This entrance gives access to the first floor.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped 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 not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 111cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is 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 both sides of the ramp.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 2 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 14cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
- 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.
Entrance (Higginson Building)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor of the Higginson Building.
- This entrance gives access to the second floor.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Christopherson Building Engineering Computer Science'.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- 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) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 178cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width with an open extension leaf.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 115cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- 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 right going up.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 131cm (4ft 4in).
- The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.
Entrance (Lower Mountjoy Postgraduate Centre)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the second floor.
- This entrance gives access to the Lower Mountjoy Postgraduate Centre second floor.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Lower Mountjoy Postgraduate Centre'.
- 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) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width with an open extension leaf.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 117cm.
- There is a ramp with a very easy incline.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is step-free access throughout the building via lift(s).
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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 vinyl and carpet.
- There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- 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 varied.
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Signage
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- Wayfinding 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 venue does not play background music in communal areas.
- There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.
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 as you enter the building via the main entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 5m from the main entrance.
- The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are 0, 1, 2, 3 and 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 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 good.
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Other Information
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- There are 2 similar sets of stairs throughout the building, (as shown in photographs 5, 6, 7 and 8).
Lift
- The lift is located to the right as you enter via the main entrance.
- Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main 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 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- The weight limit for the lift is 800kg.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is 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 colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
- The clear door width is 90cm.
- The dimensions of the lift are 125cm x 140cm.
- 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 not a hearing loop system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting levels in the lift are good.
Standard Shower
- Shower facilities are available.
- The shower(s) surveyed is/are located on the second floor, to the right as you exit the lift.
- There is not level access to the shower facilities.
- There is an 18cm step into the shower which is created by the shower tray.
Accessible Toilet(s)
- There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
- The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located in the Higginson Building.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female toilet is located on the first floor, to the right as you exit the lift.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the lift.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is tactile and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
- Lighting levels are good.
- The end wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
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Toilet Facilities 2
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- The male toilet is located on the second floor, to the right as you exit the lift.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the lift.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
- Lighting levels are good.
- The closest wash basin to the door has a lever mixer tap.