Access Guide
Summary
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Building
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- Services / Facilities within the building include; a historic archives and a library holding special materials. There is also a post graduate study room.
- Special arrangements can be made for some materials to be viewed elsewhere if access to the building proves difficult.
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
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- Female standard toilet facilities are located to the right of the entrance foyer on the ground floor.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located to the right of the entrance foyer on the ground floor.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- The building is situated in the Peninsula which contains a lot of pedestrian traffic and may be difficult to drive around.
- There is access for permit holders to the Palace Green Car Park and there are Blue Badge Bays located along North Bailey. Access to the University Buildings of the Peninsula is only available via Sadler's Street.
- For more information on Durham University Location 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 building.
- The nearest bus stop is the Cathedral Bus Stop situated off Palace Green which serves route 40D.
- For more information on Buses in Durham please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Durham Station.
- The station is located approximately 0.7 miles to the North West of the University Venues on the Peninsula.
- For more information on Durham Station please click here (opens new tab).
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Useful Links
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- The Peninsula area of Durham where the University building is situated is a World Heritage site for more information.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- The Peninsula Area of Durham is dominated by the Cathedral for more information.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Visitor Travel information for Durham.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in 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 within approximately 200m.
- The name of the car park is Palace Green Car Park.
- The car park is located off Palace Green.
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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 200cm x 1200cm (6ft 7in x 39ft 4in).
- The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on along North Bailey.
- Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are not available.
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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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- The Blue Badge bay can be seen in photograph 1.
- The Blue Badge bay is only available for a maximum stay of three hours between 08:00 and 18:00 with no return within one hour.
- Photograph 2 shows the Palace Green Car Park.
- The Palace Green Car Park is only for the use of authorised staff permit holders and authorised visitor permit holders.
Building Parking
- The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
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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 on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on along North Bailey.
- Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are available.
- The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on the College Green.
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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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- The College Green parking is for permit holders only. In special circumstances parking can be arranged in advance for visitors to the library.
Approach
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Approach
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- The surface of the approach is block paving.
- The approach surface is uneven in places.
- The college area is mainly occupied by Durham Cathedral and can be accessed off North Bailey via a large gateway with a width of over 150cm which can be seen in photograph 2.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located off the College.
- This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Archives and Special Collections Library 5 The College'.
- There is 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 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 124cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 60cm.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 5 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 12cm.
- 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 not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not easy to grip.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is step-free access throughout the building .
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Circulation
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- The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet .
- There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
- The lighting levels are good.
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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 in front of you on entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 6m from the main entrance.
- The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
- 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 16cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are 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.
- 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.
Lift
- The lift is for staff use only.
- The lift is located to your left on entrance.
- The lift was out of use at the time of the survey.
- Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- A member of staff needs to be notified for use of the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G and 1.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
- The external controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
- The clear door width is 71cm (2ft 4in).
- The lift was not in use at time of survey December 2021.
Reception (Search Room)
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Reception
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- The reception point is located inside the search room on the first floor.
- The reception point is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the the top of the stairs on the first floor.
- The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step-free access to the reception point.
- There is not a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
- There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
- The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
- The height of the reception counter is 74cm.
- There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
- There is a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
- There is no wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
- The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.
Library
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Library Circulation
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- There is stepped access within the library.
- The type of flooring in the library is carpet.
- There are potential trip hazards within the room.
- Wiring may serve as a trip hazard.
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Library Services
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- There are reading/study desks available.
- The majority of the reading/study desk(s) are 62cm in height.
- The seats do not have armrests.
- Auxiliary aids are available.
- Auxiliary aids available in this library include: Ergonomic Chairs, Document Holders and Hand Held Magnifiers.
Accessible Toilet(s)
- There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located to your right on entrance.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 9m from the main 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 78cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are good.