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Porters' Lodge

Swirles Court, Girton College, Pheasant Drive, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 1AQ

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Access Guide

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Getting To and Around Girton College (Swirles Court)

Useful Information

Getting To (The Porters' Lodge)

  • Location View
    • Swirles Court is located off Pheasant Drive Cambridge which is off Turing Way.
    • Swirles Court is located to the West of Cambridge, near the West Cambridge site.
    • There is not wayfinding signage along the route to the Porters' Lodge.

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by visitors, Blue Badge holders and permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located in front of the Porters' Lodge.
    • 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.
    • There is/are 4 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 275cm x 486cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The marked zone is 100cm wide.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are uneven surfaces.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is not a site/campus car park within approximately 200m.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are not available.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building, off the car park area.
    • This entrance gives access to the Porters' Lodge.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Porters Lodge'.
    • 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 not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 73cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • There is a push pad/button to enter the main automatic doors.
    • The entry push pad or push button is 85cm from floor level.
    • The exit push pad or push button is 88cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Outside Access (Accommodation)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the front left of the Porters' Lodge.
    • This entrance gives access to the Porters' Lodge.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Porters Lodge'.
    • There is step-free 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.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 73cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • There is a push pad/button to enter and exit the main automatic doors.
    • The entry push pad or push button is 85cm from floor level.
    • The exit push pad or push button is 88cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • 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.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to the left after you enter via the main entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is 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 90cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
    • There is a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • The type of system is a fixed loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is not signed.
    • Staff are not trained to use the hearing system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 01/09/2021.
    • The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.
    • There is no wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet and vinyl.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • There are sofas only in the waiting area.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
    • There is a touchscreen for visitors signing in and out of Swiles Court with touch point heights between 127cm and 174cm.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access throughout the area.
  • Circulation View
    • There are no doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is vinyl.
    • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • 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 is a mixture of seating with and without armrests at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
    • There are post boxes available, with the highest at a height of 160cm.
      There are vending machines with controls between 105cm to 160cm in height.

Laundry

  • The Laundry is located to the right after you enter the building via the main entrance.
  • There are controls for the washing machines at a height of 102cm.
  • There is a lowered dryer at a height of 105cm.
  • There is seating available within the laundry area.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right of the Porters' Lodge.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 220cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 3in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin and a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is 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 contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is low.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary, general waste (with no lid) and clinical waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • 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 within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
    • 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 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can 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 (2ft 4in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 100cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is low.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located to the right after you enter via the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 14m from the main entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 86cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.