Access Guide
Getting To and Around Girton College (Main Site)
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Arriving By Car or Bike
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- Girton College is situated on the northwest edge of Cambridge, close to the start of the M11 and the A14. The main vehicle entrance to the site is located on Girton Road, which is accessed off Huntingdon Road (A1307).
- Girton College has an on-site car park called Mare’s Run, which is available to staff and visitors. There are also car parks located in Cloister Court, Ash Court and by the Old Kitchens Door, which contain Blue Badge bays.
- Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cambridge. The city is relatively flat and there is an extensive network of cycle routes. At Girton College the main sheltered cycle park is located just inside the main entrance to the College site, off Huntingdon Road.
- For more information on getting to Girton College please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on cycle routes and maps in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
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By Bus
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- There is not a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
- There is a bus stop at the corner of Huntingdon Road and Girton Road. The bus services that stop here are the citi, 5 and citi 6. These services give direct links to Cambridge Bus Station (Drummer Street) and Emmanuel Street, plus Bar Hill, Swavesey and Oakington.
- Cambridge City Centre Bus Station AccessAble Access Guide (new tab) - click here.
- For more information on planning a bus journey in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Cambridge.
- Cambridge Station is approximately 5 kilometres away from Girton College. The station has direct links to London Kings Cross, London Liverpool Street, Cambridge North, Kings Lynn, Stansted Airport, Brighton, Ipswich and Norwich.
The rail companies that operate out of this station are Cross Country, Great Northern, Thameslink and Greater Anglia. - For more information on Cambridge Station please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on planning a train journey to Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
- Cambridge Station AccessAble Access Guide (new tab) - click here.
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Accessing the College Site
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- The main pedestrian entrance to the College site is located off Huntingdon Road (photograph 1). Access is shared with vehicles accessing the Cloister Court car park. This shared road/path has a tarmac surface with speed bumps, leading to an archway at the front of the main building (photograph 2), which leads to Cloister Court and the car park. The Porters’ Lodge entrances are on the left hand side of the archway as you enter. There is an accessible entrance, accessed by a slight ramp, with and automatic door, 96cm wide, which requires a key card to enter (99cm high), although there is an intercom at the entrance, 96 cm high (photograph 3). The main entrance into the Porters’ Lodge has 3 marked steps in front of it (photograph 4).
- There is another vehicle entrance into the College site at the rear, off Girton Road (photograph 5), which gives access to the Mare’s Run car park, and also the Old Kitchens Door and Ash Court via a barrier (photograph 6). There is a card reader and intercom at the barrier. There is a tarmac path, 150cm wide, leading from the Mare’s Run car park (Photograph 7), which leads to a zebra crossing over the road leading to the Old Kitchens Door and Ash Court car parks. Beyond that there is a tarmac pavement, 130cm wide, leading to the Old Kitchens Door entrance, with dropped kerbs at either end (photographs 8 and 9). There is also a marked path leading from the Old Kitchens Door car park to the entrance (photograph 10). The Old Kitchens Door entrance is a single, heavy door, 94cm wide, which requires a key card to access (107cm high), although there is an intercom (118cm high). The entrance is accessed by a slight ramp (photograph 11).
- Ash Court, containing the other car park, is located further along from the Old Kitchens Door car park, past the Maintenance Building, gardens and orchard. At the far end of Ash Court is the Colonnade Door entrance, accessed by a slight slope (photograph 12) and a path with a paving slab surface. The entrance is a single, heavy door, 88cm wide, which requires a key card to access (105cm high), although there is an intercom (109-118cm high) (photograph 13).
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Getting Around the College Site
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- Once you have accessed the main building via one of the entrances described above, there is level access to most of the ground floor. The corridors have a variety of surfaces, including tiles, which are shiny in places, vinyl, carpet and wood (photographs 14–17). The only area of the ground floor that does not have step-free access is New Wing, on the far left hand side from the Old Kitchens Door entrance. There are 2 marked steps, 16cm high leading down to the corridor here at both ends. There are grab rails fixed to the wall at the top of both sets of steps (photographs 19 and 20).
- There are three lifts within the main building, in Ash Court Wing (photograph 21), Pear Trees and the Social Hub. The majority of the areas on other floors do not have step-free access. There are many staircases throughout the main building, which vary in materials and layout. The height and depths of steps are not uniform, and neither is lighting, handrail provision/type or step markings (photographs 22 and 23). Please see our Detailed Access Guides for further information on access to various areas of the main building.
- There is tarmac, gravel and unsurfaced paths around the outside of the main building (photographs 24–26). The path leading to the Sports Ground and Pavilion has a gravel surface (photograph 27). There are unsurfaced paths throughout much of the grounds and the gardens, although some paths have bark chippings (photograph 28). Yew Walk has a compacted gravel surface (photograph 29). The tarmac path leading to the tennis courts has some steep slopes (photograph 30).
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Additional College Site Information
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- There is good, clear directional signage, both inside the main building (photograph 31) and around the site (photograph 32). Maps of the site are also available from the Porters’ Lodge, and staff there are able to direct visitors.
- Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of the main building, next the Porters’ Lodge, just inside the Old Kitchens Door entrance and in the Social Hub, although that was out of service at the time of the site visit (August 2021).
Useful Information
- To see more information on University of Cambridge Disability Resource Centre please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 332301.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Accommodation please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 339032.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Undergraduate Admissions please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 338972.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Welfare and Support please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 338972.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Latest Information About Coronavirus (COVID-19) please click here (opens new tab).
Site/Campus Car Park (Ash Court Car Park)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located in Ash Court at the rear of the main building.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the main building.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park surface is loose chippings.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted but have no markings.
- There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 370cm x 450cm.
- The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
- The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders, visitors and staff.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
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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 53m (57yd 2ft) from the Colonnade Entrance.
- Visitors wishing to use this car park will need to request access in advance, as there is a barrier just inside the vehicle entrance from Girton Road (Photograph 6). The intercom at the barrier is 99cm high, the card reader is 105cm high.
Site/Campus Car Park (Mare's Run Car Park)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located in the far corner of the College site, off Girton Road.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the main 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 not available.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by anybody.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
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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 clearly signposted from this car park.
- There is a campus map available within the car park.
Site/Campus Car Park (Old Kitchens Door Car Park)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located at rear of the main building.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the main building and the Maintenance 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.
- There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 250cm x 390cm.
- The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side and the rear.
- The marked zone is 120cm 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 staff, visitors and Blue Badge holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
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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 clearly signposted from this car park.
- There is not a campus map available within the car park.
- The nearest designated bay is 27m (29yd 1ft) from the Old Kitchens Door entrance.
- Visitors wishing to use this car park will need to request access in advance, as there is a barrier just inside the vehicle entrance from Girton Road (photograph 6). The intercom at the barrier is 99cm high, the card reader is 105cm high.
Site/Campus Car Park (Cloister Court Car Park)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located just inside the archway at the Porters' Lodge.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Porters' Lodge.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
- The maximum height is 250cm (8ft 2in).
- 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 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 210cm x 360cm.
- The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
- The marked zone is 106cm wide.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by visitors and staff.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
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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 14m (15yd 11in) from the Porters' Lodge entrance.
- Visitors wishing to park here will need to arrange this in advance.
Getting To (The Swimming Pool)
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Location
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- The Swimming Pool is located off the Cloister Corridor, on the ground floor of Girton College.
- The Cloister Corridor is located to the North of the site and can be accessed via either the Old Kitchens Door Entrance or the Porters' Lodge Entrances.
- The Porters' Lodge has two entrances, one with stepped access and one with ramped/sloped access.
The Old Kitchens Door Entrance has ramped/sloped access. - There is wayfinding signage along the route to the Swimming Pool.
- Girton College - Main Site link (new tab) - click here.
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
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- Accessible toilet facilities with an accessible shower are located within the swimming pool changing area.
Outside Access (Porters' Lodge Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the left of the archway leading to Cloister Court from the College Main Entrance.
- This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the main building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Porters' Lodge and Main Entrance'.
- There is stepped 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 a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 142cm (4ft 8in).
- 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 110cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The 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 114cm.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 3 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
Outside Access (Porters' Lodge Accessible Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the left just through the archway to Cloister Court from the College Main Entrance.
- This entrance gives access to the Porters' Lodge.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped 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 an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 96cm (3ft 2in).
- A key card is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the key card reader is 99cm.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
- There is a push pad/button to exit the main automatic doors.
- The exit push pad or push button is 104cm from floor level.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 96cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) both ways.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 140cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located to the right 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 a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the ramp.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 103cm (3ft 5in).
Outside Access (Old Kitchens Door Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the main building.
- This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the main building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Old Kitchens Door and Visitor Entrance'.
- There is ramped/sloped 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 an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 118cm .
- A key card is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the key card reader is 107cm.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 94cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- 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 both sides of the ramp.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 138cm (4ft 6in).
Entrance (Swimming Pool and Changing Area)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the Northwest corner of Cloister Court, off Cloister Wing.
- This entrance gives access to the swimming pool and changing area.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Swimming Pool, Changing Rooms, Accessible Shower & W.C.'.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- A key card is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the key card reader is 107cm.
- 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 85cm.
Changing Area
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Changing Area
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- There is a/are changing area(s) available.
- The changing area that was surveyed is located ahead and to the left as you enter.
- The changing area is approximately 4m from the Changing Rooms, Accessible Shower and Swimming Pool Entrance.
- There is step-free access to the changing area.
- The facilities available within the changing area include; standard changing rooms/cubicles, an accessible shower and an accessible toilet.
- This is a shared changing area.
- Similar shared changing area(s) are available.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are light.
- The width of the door opening is 59cm.
- The type of flooring in the changing area is tiles.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the changing area.
- There are changing benches or seats within the changing area.
- There are lockers within the changing area.
- There is a/are locker(s) within reach for a wheelchair user.
- There is not a water dispenser available.
- The lighting levels in the changing area are moderate to good.
- There are 47cm high changing benches within the changing/shower cubicles.
The opening into the shower once in the cubicle is 57cm in width.
Coat hooks are available within the cubicles at a height of 166cm and 176cm.
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Shower Facilities
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- Shower facilities are available.
- There is step-free access to the shower facilities.
- The shower head height(s) is/are fixed.
- The shower control type(s) is/are push.
- There is no seat for the shower(s).
- There is not a/are not wall-mounted grab rail(s) available for the shower(s).
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Toilet Facilities
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- Toilet facilities are not available.
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Baby Changing Facilities
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- Baby changing facilities are available.
- Baby changing facilities are located in the accessible toilet(s).
- The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
- The baby change table is not height adjustable.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 81cm.
Step(s) (Access Between Changing Area and Swimming Pool)
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Stepped Level Change 1
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- There is a/are step(s) located between the changing area and swimming pool.
- The step(s) is/are used to access the swimming pool from the changing area.
- There is/are 4 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
- 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.
- 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.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
- There is no ramp/slope or lift to overcome these steps.
Swimming Pool
- There is step-free access throughout the outer areas of the swimming pool.
- The flooring in this area consists of tiles.
- This area has not got a non-slip floor.
- The floor can become slippery when wet.
- Background music is not played in this area.
- There was not a lifeguard for the swimming pool at the time of the survey.
- There is not ramped access into the swimming pool.
- There is not stepped access into the swimming pool.
- There is a hoist for wheelchair users to access the water.
- The hoist is manual.
- There is a ladder type entrance into the water.
- There is not a wet side chair available.
- There is an emergency alarm at poolside.
Toilet with Adaptations (Signed as Accessible Shower)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located to the left as you enter.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the Changing Rooms, Accessible Shower and Swimming Pool 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 no signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is medium.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is light.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 232cm x 270cm.
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are moderate to 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 163cm.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is a push button 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) to the left of the toilet and wall is medium.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) to the right of the toilet and wall is high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- There are coat hooks in the toilet at 103cm and 141cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- 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 wall which acts as a backrest.
- There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- 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 contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
- 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).
- 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 medium.
- 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 106cm.
- 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 113cm (3ft 8in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
- There is not a hand dryer.
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Accessible Shower
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- The shower does have an unobstructed minimum 150cm x 150cm turning space.
- There is a shower unit with a detachable shower head.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The adjustable shower head can be placed between 105cm and 185cm when mounted.
- There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
- The seat/chair is height adjustable.
- Horizontal and/or dropdown rails are available on both sides of the shower seat.
- The colour contrast between the shower rails and wall is high.
- There is a vertical grab rail for the shower.
- The colour contrast between the vertical grab rail(s) for the shower and wall is medium.
- There is an emergency alarm for the shower.
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Baby Changing Facilities
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- Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- There is a flip down baby change table available .
- The height of the baby change table is 81cm.
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Comments
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- The seat for the shower is height adjustable.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are not available.