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Columbia House

69 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4RR

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Ground Floor - Entrance Lobby
    First Floor - Data Science Institute
    Second Floor - Department of Mathematics
    Third Floor - Department of Mathematics
    Fourth Floor - Department of Mathematics
    Fifth Floor - Department of Mathematics, Department of Statistics
    Sixth Floor - Department of Statistics
    Seventh Floor - Department of Statistics
    Eighth Floor - Department of Statistics.
  • Related link LSE Garrick.
  • Https://www.accessable.co.uk/london-school-of-economics/access-guides/lse-garrick
  • Comments View
    • The only step free access to Columbia House is provided by entering LSE Garrick and taking the lift to reach the first floor of Columbia House.
    • Staff permission will have to be gained to do this because a key is needed to reach the first floor.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The LSE campus is located in central London, off Kingsway (A4200) and the Aldwych (A4).
    • This campus does not have its own car park, but Blue Badge and standard on-street parking is available nearby.
  • By Bus View
    • The campus can be accessed via a number of London Bus routes, including bus 1 (New Oxford Street to Canada Water Bus Station), 59 (Streatham Hill to Kings Cross Station), 68 (West Norwood to Euston Bus Station), X68 (Croydon to Russell Square), 91 (Crouch End to Trafalgar Square), 168 (Royal Free Hospital to Old Kent Road), 171 (Catford to Holborn Station), 188 (North Greenwich Station to Russell Square Station) 243 (Wood Green to Waterloo Station) and 521 (Waterloo Station to London Bridge Station).
  • By Train View
    • The nearest railway station is Charing Cross. However, all of the London Terminal stations are within reach of the campus using public transport.
  • By Underground View
    • The nearest tube stations are Holborn on the Central and Piccadilly lines, Temple on the District and Circle lines, and Charing Cross on the Northern and Bakerloo lines.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • 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 available.
    • The dimensions of the standard marked parking bays are 200cm x 600cm (6ft 7in x 19ft 8in).
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Aldwych.
  • Comments View
    • The parking is pay by phone from 08:30 - 18:30 Monday - Saturday.

Outside Access (LSE Garrick Aldwych Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Aldwych.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 123cm (4ft).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 106cm (3ft 6in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is easy.
    • The ramp is permanent.

Lift (LSE Garrick Lift)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the rear of the cafe.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B-G.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the LSE Garrick Aldwych entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 140cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.
  • Comments View
    • The lift can also be used to access the first floor of Columbia House. A member of staff is needed to help with this.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the northern side of Aldwych, next to Houghton Street.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 161cm (5ft 3in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) both ways.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 144cm (4ft 9in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 2 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.

Outside Access (Data Science Institute)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Houghton Street.
    • There is ramped/sloped and stepped access at this entrance.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 114cm (3ft 9in).
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 62cm (2ft).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located between the entrance doors.
    • There is / are 15+ step(s) to access the entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on the right going up the step(s).

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • There is a slight ramp, with no handrails, for access to the second floor from the main lift.
    • This ramp is shown in photographs 5 and 6. There are similar ramps on leaving the lift lobby on floors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B-G-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8.
    • The stairs are located around the main lift.
    • The stairs are approximately 8m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell from the first floor upwards.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.

Lift (Columbia House Main Lift)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located straight ahead as you enter from the Main Entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B-G-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby from the first floor upwards.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 450kg.
  • The lift is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the LSE Garrick lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 60cm (1ft 12in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 105cm x 105cm (3ft 5in x 3ft 5in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, in the Data Science Institute next to the kitchen area.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 22m (24yd 2in) from the main lift.
    • 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 Braille, tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 114cm x 216cm (3ft 9in x 7ft 1in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 100cm from floor level.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 good.
    • 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 good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • 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 sanitary disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 169cm from the floor.
  • 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 97cm.
    • The shelf is located where it is reachable.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • 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 116cm (3ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is good.
    • 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 75cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • 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 116cm.
    • 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 103cm (3ft 5in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are female standard toilets facilities on the eighth floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located between the ground floor and basement floor.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.
  • Comments View
    • There are male toilets on the staircase in between floors B-G, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8.
    • There are female toilets on the staircase in between floors G-1, 2-3, 4-5 and 6-7.