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Porters' Lodge

Jesus College, Jesus Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB5 8BL

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Access Guide

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Getting To and Around Jesus College

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • Jesus College is situated just to the north of Cambridge city centre. The vehicle entrance to the campus is located in Victoria Avenue. There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
    • There are 3 main car parks at Jesus College which are located close to Chapel Court, North Court and Library Court. There are 2 designated parking bays for Blue Badge holders which are located in the Chapel Court Car Park. The College advise that if you are visiting West Court you may find it easier to park in the accessible bays in Jesus Lane which are closer. If you are visiting and require on-site parking please contact the College ahead of your journey to make sure a parking space is available. 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.
    • View information on getting to Jesus College (opens new tab)
    • View information on cycle routes and maps in Cambridge (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 Jesus Lane. Step-free access is via a push pad activated gate and a ramp (Photographs 1 and 2). The minimum width of the gate opening and ramp is 94cm. Push pad heights are approximately 100cm. The exit push pad is positioned in advance of the ramp and the gate closing time has been delayed to allow people sufficient time to use the ramp when exiting. Immediately beyond the entrance is a level paved walkway called The Chimney (Photograph 3) which leads to the Porters' Lodge.
    • Pedestrians can also access the College site via the West Court entrance in Jesus Lane where there is step-free access with automatic doors (Photographs 3 and 4 - please see the Detailed Access Guide for further information).
      Staff and students with key cards also have the option of accessing the site via the vehicle entrance in Lower Park Street (Photograph 6) where there is a pedestrian gate with a key card reader (at a height of 103cm). The gateway is narrow (72cm) and the surface uneven so this may not be suitable for some people. There is an intercom at a height of 122cm so staff may be able to open the vehicle gates if the pedestrian gate is unsuitable.
      Key card holders can also access the site via the main vehicle exit in Jesus Lane where there is also a pedestrian gate (Photograph 7). The gate opens automatically away from you when activated by a key card. Access here is level and the gateway is wide (165cm). The height of the key card reader is 95cm. There is also an intercom for those requiring assistance. The height of the intercom is 123cm.
    • If you have accessed the College site by vehicle and parked in the designated Blue Badge bays in the Chapel Court Car Park the nearest step-free route to Chapel Court is via the Angel Archway (Photograph 8 - the nearest entrance, Boaty Archway, has a step over the threshold).
      If parking in the North Court Car Park there is open and step-free access to North Court from the front right corner of the car park. The North Archway is also located in this car park which gives step-free access to Second Court via an open gateway and short passage. When parking at the Library Court/Housekeeping Car Park there is step-free access to Library Court or back up the access road to Angel Archway.
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • The Jesus College site is mostly level with paved surface paths that run around the edges of the various courtyards and links them together. Most of the paths are wide (150cm+), even and there are some bench seats for resting.
    • There may be some areas where the paths are more narrow, less smooth or the paving slightly uneven but generally there is step-free, flat access around the external areas of the site (Photographs 9-15). There are some steps at one side of Library Court (Photograph 16) but these can be bypassed by using the path on the opposite side. There is a short steep slope on the path that links Chapel Court to Library Court via the Chapel itself (Photograph 17). There are also short steep ramps in the passageway at G Stair leading off Cloister Court towards J, K, L Stairs and Chapel Court (Photograph 18). The path running to the rear of West Court, next to The Orchard, has a slight slope leading down past the CafĂ© Bar (Photograph 19).
    • 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 are wall mounted maps at the Angel and North Archways (Photograph 20) and paper copies can be provided on request from the Porters' Lodge.
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • Many of the buildings at Jesus College have stepped access once inside. (Photographs 21 - 24). 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. In most of the main listed stairs you can expect to find 15+ unmarked steps with at least one handrail or banister.
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located beneath Coleridge Room, off Pump Court and there are also smaller adapted toilet facilities within K Stairs.
    • Accessible toilet and standard toilet facilities are located off Cloister Courtyard.

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (Chapel Court Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in Morgan Avenue, off Victoria Avenue.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are those in Chapel Court.
    • 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 360cm x 480cm.
    • 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 permit holders.
    • 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 45m (49yd 8in) from the Angel Archway.
    • There is a one-way system in place, vehicles exit the site via Jesus Lane.
      The 2 designated parking bays are located close to Boaty Archway (Photograph 7) but the accessible pedestrian route into the site is via Angel Archway (Photograph 8).
      There is additional overflow parking on the grass by the rugby pitch (Photograph 9).

Site/Campus Car Park (North Court Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the North of the site, near North and Second Court.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are those in North Court.
    • 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 not available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders.
    • 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.
    • If parking in the North Court Car Park there is open and step-free access to North Court from the front right corner of the car park (Photograph 6). The North Archway is also located in this car park which gives step-free access to Second Court via an open gateway and short passage (Photograph 7).
      There is a site map within the North Archway (Photograph 8).

Site/Campus Car Park (Library Court / Housekeeping Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located just before the site vehicle exit in Jesus Lane.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are those in Library Court.
    • 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 not available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders.
  • 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.
    • When parking at the Library Court / Housekeeping Car Park there is step-free access to Library Court or back up the access road to Angel Archway (Photograph 7).

Getting To (The Porters' Lodge)

  • Location View
    • The Porters' Lodge is located at the end of The Chimney, beyond the Main Pedestrian Entrance to the site. The Porters' Lodge can also be accessed via First Court.
    • The Main Pedestrian Entrance is located to the South of the site and can be accessed via Jesus Lane. First Court is located at the centre of the site and can be accessed via Second Court, Pump Court, Cloister Court or The Orchard.
    • There is not wayfinding signage along the route to the Porters' Lodge.
    • Jesus College link (new tab) - click here.

Outside Access (The Wicket Gate)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the end of The Chimney.
    • This entrance gives access to First Court.
    • 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.
    • 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 80cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • This entrance can be used to bypass the Porters' Lodge.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located beyond the gate, leading down to First Court.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 91cm (2ft 12in).

Outside Access (The Chimney Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the end of The Chimney, on the left hand side.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'PORTERS' LODGE'.
    • 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.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 116cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 104cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance, leading down from The Chimney.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.

Outside Access (First Court Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located under the archway on the South side of First Court.
    • 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.

Reception (Porters' Lodge)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to the right as you enter via The Chimney entrance, to the left as you enter via the First Court 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 no 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 moderate to good.
    • The height of the reception counter is 122cm.
    • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a lowered section of the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section at the counter is 75cm.
    • There is 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 a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing system is available only on request.
    • 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 28/09/2021.
    • 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 tiles.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • There is bench seating only.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
  • Comments View
    • The portable hearing assistance system is located at the reception desk of the Porters' Lodge. This can be used across Campus (in all areas not fitted with a fixed loop) if required.

Inside Access (Porters' Lodge)

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is step-free access throughout the area.
    • The type of flooring is tiles and stone.
    • There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.