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Margaret Wileman Building - Council Room

Hughes Hall, Mortimer Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 2EW

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Access Guide

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Getting To and Around Hughes Hall

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • Hughes Hall is situated in Cambridge city centre. The vehicle entrance to the Campus is located in Mortimer Road. There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
    • Hughes Hall has limited on-site car parking. The main parking area is located along The Drive where there is one Blue Badge parking bay. There are some Fellows' parking bays in the area in front of the Margaret Wileman Building, however, they were blocked off at the time of the survey. Parking bays can be allocated for students with mobility issues on arrangement with the College. The College also leases parking from the University of Cambridge Fenner's Ground which has clearly signed spaces for Hughes Hall and four Blue Badge bays.
      Students are generally not permitted to use cars in the immediate locality unless given permission based on specific requirements.
    • Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cambridge. The city is relatively flat and there is an extensive network of cycle routes. At Hughes Hall there is a sheltered cycle stand available under Gresham Court. There are many unsheltered cycle stands available along The Drive and between Wollaston Lodge 2 and the Margaret Wileman Building.
    • For more information on getting to Hughes Hall by road please click here (opens new tab).
    • For more information on cycle routes and maps in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Bus View
  • By Train View
  • Accessing the College Site View
    • The main pedestrian entrance to the College site is located in Mortimer Road. Access is via a single pedestrian gate with a card reader which is situated to the right of the vehicular entrance. The gate opens automatically away from you and is activated by either pressing the exit button (height 83cm) or using the card/fob reader (height 97cm). There is an intercom at this gate (height 102cm.) There is a 2.4 degree ramp without handrails immediately beyond this entrance.
    • Pedestrians can also access the site via Gresham Court which is located on Gresham Road. There is a level pathway inside Gresham Court. There is a main gate and an additional side gate at the right hand side of Gresham Court. The main gate opens automatically towards you and is activated by either pressing the exit button (height 90cm) or using the card/fob reader (height 93cm). There is a 3.6 degree slope in front of the entrance. There is a similar gate opposite the main gate, with a 4.8 degree slope beyond it, which gives access to the path leading to the main buildings of the College and The Drive.
    • The side gate at Gresham Court gives direct access to the path leading to the main buildings of the College and The Drive. There is a 5.4 degree slope leading to the gate. The gate opens towards you and may be difficult for some users to open. The gate is unlocked by either pressing the exit button (height 105cm) or using the key card/fob reader (height 120cm). There is also an intercom at this gate (height 150cm).
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • If you have accessed the College site by vehicle and parked in the designated Blue Badge bay on The Drive, there is open step-free access to the network of paths around external areas of the Hughes Hall site. The site is mostly level with wide paths (150cm+) which have a surface of various types (flagstone paving, tarmac, concrete, block paving and brick block paving).
      There is a slight ramp with handrails on either side to access the upper lawn from the garden. This ramp bypasses three steps with a handrail to the right.
    • Near the Drive car park there is a seating area with tables. It is accessed by a path with moveable potted plant. .
    • The external parts of the site are otherwise step-free except for access into buildings. There are steps to access Chancellor's Court, with a steep slope (114cm wide) to overcome them.
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • Many of the buildings at Hughes Hall have stepped access into and around them. Due to the age of the buildings the staircases do vary in materials and layout. The height and depths of steps are not uniform and neither is lighting, handrail provision/type or step markings. There are some buildings which have been adapted to make them step-free, including portable access ramps to bypass external steps and internal lifts to access other floors. There is steep ramped access to the Fenner's Building. Please see our Detailed Access Guides for further information on access to buildings.
    • There is not much directional signage around the site which means those unfamiliar with the layout will need an escort or a map to reference. There is a map at the entrance to the site, just beyond the Porters' Lodge. Accessible toilet facilities are located in the Fenner's Building and the Conference foyer of the Margaret Wileman Building.

Generic (Useful Information)

Site/Campus Car Park (The Drive)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located along The Drive, off Mortimer Road.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Porters' Lodge, Fenner's Building, Wollaston Lodge 1, Wollaston Lodge 2, and the Margaret Wileman 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 signposted but have no markings.
    • There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders and permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are not provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is step free access from this car park.
    • Buildings are not clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is a campus map available within the car park.
    • The nearest designated bay is 35m (114ft) from the Margaret Wileman Building main entrance.
    • The Campus map is located at the entrance to The Drive, next to Fenner's Building.

Site/Campus Car Park (Fenner's Ground Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the front right of the College, off Mortimer Road.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Fenner's 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 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 350cm x 592cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders and permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are not provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • 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 49m (160ft) from the Fenner's Building main entrance.
    • Access to the buildings from this car park is via a pedestrian gate and then via the main campus gate. There is a small lip on the threshold of the pedestrian gate from the car park.

Getting To (The Council Room)

  • Location View
    • The Council Room is located on the ground floor of the Margaret Wileman Building.
    • The Council Room is accessed via the front right entrance and along the corridor off the left hand side of the atrium.
    • There is not wayfinding signage along the route to the Council Room.
    • Margaret Wileman Building is part of Hughes Hall.
    • Hughes Hall College link (new tab) - click here.
  • Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of the Margaret Wileman Building.
    • Female standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of the Margaret Wileman Building.
    • Male standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of the Margaret Wileman Building.
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations on the ground floor of the Margaret Wileman Building.

Outside Access (Margaret Wileman Building Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the Margaret Wileman Building.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Margaret Wileman Building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Margret Wileman Building'.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key fob is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key fob reader is 122cm.
    • The main 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 72cm.
    • 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 heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 72cm.
    • There is a button to unlock the door for exit at a height of 96cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance, between the two sets of doors, and in the second doorway.
    • There is/are 4 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • 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 not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The fourth step is a 4cm step down immediately beyond the second door.
      The remaining steps range from 14cm to 16cm in height.

Approach (Front Right Entrance from The Drive)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is tarmac and concrete tiles.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has a handrail on the left going up.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a/are step(s) on the approach.
    • There is/are 5 unmarked step(s), with no handrails.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 13cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The handrail on the ramp does not cover the full length of the ramp.

Outside Access (Margaret Wileman Building Front Right Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front right of the Margaret Wileman Building.
    • This entrance gives access to the right hand corridor of the ground floor of the Margaret Wileman Building.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is not 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key fob is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key fob reader is 134cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 150cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • 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 85cm.
    • There is a button to unlock the first set of doors for exit at a height of 125cm.

Outside Access (Garden Entrance - Ground Floor - Lower Area )

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the Garden.
    • 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 not an intercom.
    • 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 86cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.

Step(s) (Ground Floor Corridor)

  • Stepped Level Change 1 View
    • There is a/are step(s) located on the ground floor of the Margaret Wileman Building.
    • The step(s) is/are used to access the Council Room and right hand side of the building from the Margaret Wileman Building Main Entrance.
    • There is/are 3 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
    • 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 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 easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
    • The steps can be overcome by using the Margaret Wileman Building front right entrance.

Meeting Room(s)

  • Signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible on or near the door.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is not sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the room(s) from the corridor.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There is step free access to the speaker's area at the front.
  • The height of the lectern is 90cm.
  • The lectern is not height adjustable.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is some fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 71cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • The room does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Furniture can be moved to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
  • There are two similar doors to enter this room.

Toilet with Adaptations (Margaret Wileman Building - Ground Floor)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor of the Margaret Wileman Building, at the rear right of the atrium as you enter via the front right entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 11m (36ft) from the front right 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 visual contrast between the external door and wall is low.
    • The door opens outwards (automatically).
    • The door is push pad or push button activated.
    • The push pad or push button is 95cm from floor level.
    • The door is locked by a push button or pad.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 77cm (2ft 6in).
    • The visual contrast between the internal door and wall is medium.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 130cm x 168cm (4ft 3in x 5ft 6in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 45cm from floor level.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is not a lateral transfer space.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a push button flush.
    • There is no dropdown rail.
    • 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 visual contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is medium.
    • The visual 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 and general waste (with lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf has the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 98cm.
    • The shelf is not located where it is reachable.
    • The toilet has a covered cistern.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 4in).
    • The toilet seat visual 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 121cm (3ft 11in).
    • The visual contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 86cm (2ft 9in).
    • There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • 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 121cm .
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 120cm (3ft 11in) .
    • The visual contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • 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 96cm.
    • There is an automatic door leading to the toilet lobby area followed by a separate automatic door into the cubicle.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor Rear Right)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located on the ground floor of the Margaret Wileman Building, to the rear right of the atrium as you enter via the Margaret Wileman Building front right entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 12m from the Margaret Wileman Building front right entrance.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
    • 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 83cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
    • Lighting levels are good.