Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Sir Christopher Cockerell Centre

Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 2PJ

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Overview

  • About View
    • The Sir Christopher Cockerell Building is a large building with three floors.
    • There is one lift and two main staircases within the building.
    • The floors are signed as the ground, first and second floors.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
    • The venue has its own car park.
    • The nearest train station is Lowestoft.
    • The nearest bus station is Lowestoft bus station.

Getting Inside

  • There are slight slope on approach to the building with some uneven surfaces in places.
  • There are three entrances into the building. All three entrances provide step-free access to the ground floor.
    The main entrance consists of a set of automatic double doors with a slight slope on approach.
  • The entrances are not signed.
  • The main entrance and the staff car park entrance provide level access into the entrance lobby.
    The left entrance provides access to the main corridor.
  • There is an entrance to the left of the building from the staff car park consisting of a set of automatic double doors with a slight ramp in front of them. An authorised staff key card is needed to access this entrance.
    There is also side entrance that has level access from the staff only car park. There is stepped access enroute to this entrance from the main campus.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • The floor surfaces along all circulation routes are a mixture of carpeted areas and areas that are hard and smooth with a shiny finish.
  • There are some resting areas in the lobby and along the corridors.
  • There is clear wayfinding signage throughout the building.
  • There are lockers available in the building with heights for the locks ranging from 25cm above the floor to 176cm above the floor.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground and the first floors.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are also signed for use as all gender toilets.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the male and female standard toilets towards the right of the building on the first floor.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on all floors.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the left of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • with no handrails.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 210cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located near the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • The ground, first and second floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 900kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 140cm (width) x 150cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located near the main entrance.
  • There are permanently held open doors to access the stairwell.
  • The ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Only one of the manual double doors to enter the stairwell is permanently held open.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Shared - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to your left on exiting the lift lobby on the first floor.
    • The distance from the lift is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 155cm (width) x 230cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 90cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 96cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 81cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.