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Accommodation - Garden Court

Sidney Sussex College, Sidney Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3HU

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Access Guide

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Accommodation Summary

  • Parking and Transport View
    • The accommodation shares another buildings parking facilities.
    • No secure parking is available.
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
    • There is a university bus service stop within approximately 200 metres of the residence.
  • Residence Information View
    • The residence surveyed was Garden Court.
  • Accessible Accommodation Information View
    • The accommodation has 3 rooms in total.
    • There is an/are accessible room(s) within the accommodation.
    • The accommodation has 2 accessible room(s) with accessible bathroom facilities.
    • There is/are 0 accessible room(s) with a ceiling track hoist.
    • There is/are 2 accessible room(s) with a wet room/wheel in shower.
    • There is/are 0 accessible room(s) with a bath.
    • There is not an/are not adjoining room(s) available for the accessible room(s).
    • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.
  • Standard Accommodation Information View
    • There is not standard accommodation on the ground floor.
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors can be accessed by lift.
    • Standard accommodation has shared bathrooms with stepped shower cubicles.
    • There is not an/are not adjoining room(s) available for the standard room(s).
  • Amenities and Communal Facilities View
    • There is a convenience store within approximately 200 metres of the residence.
    • The communal facilities for the accommodation surveyed include; a kitchen and a dining area.
  • Additional Accessibility Aids View
    • There is a deaf alert system available on request.
    • Vibrating pillows alarms are available on request.
    • Bed raisers are not available on request.
    • Portable hoists are not available on request.
    • Key fobs are issued to the occupants of the three accessible rooms. These activate automatic doors in the corridor between the room and the lift lobby.

Getting To and Around Sidney Sussex College

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • Sidney Sussex College is situated on the north eastern edge of Cambridge city centre. The vehicle entrance to the site is located in King Street. There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
    • Sidney Sussex College has limited on-site car parking, and so is only available to staff and visitors if requested in advance. The only parking area is located off King Street, to the side of Blundell Court. 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 Sidney Sussex College the main sheltered cycle park is located off Hall Court. There are other bike stands available throughout the College site.
    • For more information on getting to Sidney Sussex College 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
    • There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
    • The nearest bus stop to the College is on Jesus Lane, on the north west edge of the College site, close to the junction with Sidney Street. This is served by the A busway service towards St Ives. There are also bus stops further up Bridge Street, just over 150 metres from the main entrance to the College. The buses to and from the Madingley Road Park and Ride stop here, along with the 5 citi and 6 citi services to the bus station. There is another bus stop a similar distance from the College but in the opposite direction, on Hobson Street outside Christ’s College. The bus services that stop here include 1 citi, 2 citi, 3 citi, 5 citi, 6 citi, 8 citi and 8H Histon Road Shuttle. These services give direct links to Arbury, Chesterton, the bus station, Fen Ditton, Bar Hill, Swavesey, Cotterham and Orchard Park. The bus station in Drummer Street is approximately 500 metres away from Sidney Sussex College.
    • 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).
  • By Train View
  • Accessing the College Site View
    • The main pedestrian entrance to the College site is located on Sidney Street. Access is via 2 unmarked steps, 15 and 12cm high with no handrails and a single gate 57cm wide (Photographs 1 and 2). The gate opens away from you (push) and may be difficult for some to open. This entrance can be made wider if required by opening one or both main gates (Photograph 3). This entrance leads to the Porter’s' Lodge, Hall Court and Chapel Court.
    • Pedestrians can also access the site via the main delivery gates, further along Sidney Street to the right as you face the main pedestrian entrance (Photograph 4). The main gates are open in the morning until 10am only. After that, those with keys can access through the small gate within the main gates, 52cm wide with a 30cm high threshold and opening away from you (push). This gate may be difficult for some to open (Photograph 5). Beyond this is a long slight slope leading up to Staff Court (Photograph 6).
    • Key card holders can also access the site via a pedestrian gate within the main gate at the vehicle entrance on King Street (Photograph 7). The gate is single, opens away from you (push) and may be difficult for some to open. The height of the card reader is 108cm, the opening width of the gateway is 80cm with an 8cm threshold. The whole gate slides open to allow vehicle access, and this can also be used to access without the threshold.
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • If you have accessed the College site by vehicle or via King Street there is step-free access to the network of external paths around the courts and main parts of the site. At the end of the path leading from the car park there are bollards, leaving gaps between 85 – 120cm wide (Photograph 8). There is then a steep slope leading up between the Mong Building and the Garden Court Building (Photograph 9). From here, there is a cut through between the Mong Building and Master’s Lodge to Chapel Court (Photograph 10). There are cut throughs from here to Staff Court on one side (Photographs 11 and 12) and the Porters' Lodge and Hall Court on the other (Photographs 13 and 14), continuing to Cloister Court after that (Photograph 15). The site is mostly level with paths with paving slab and concrete tile surfaces, so can be uneven in places. The paths also have slight gradients in places, particularly around the cut throughs between courts (Photograph 16). The paths around Hall and Chapel Courts have cobbles on either side (Photographs 17 and 18). At the end of the Cloister Court path, next to the entrance to the Fellows’ Garden, there is an unmarked step, 11cm high, with no handrails (Photograph 19). This can be overcome using the path that runs straight ahead from the cut through from Hall Court to the Fellows’ Garden. This path is 90cm wide and has a slight slope just beyond the cut through but then levels out (Photographs 20 and 21).
    • There is stepped access to the Covered Walkway (Photograph 22), which runs to the left past the Garden Court Building past the steep slope. The 13 unmarked steps have a handrail on the left hand side going down covering the bottom 5 steps only (Photograph 23). At the far end of the walkway there are 3 steps with handrails both sides leading up to the Sidney Bar (Photograph 24). There are also 15+ steps with no handrails leading up to Blundell Court (Photograph 25).
    • There are 15+ steps with handrails leading up from Staff Court and the area to the rear of the Garden Court Building and the Mong Building (Photograph 26) which lead up to South Court. From there Hobson Court, Montagu House and 26 Sussex Street can be accessed. There is also a bridge leading to Sussex House. Sussex has its own entrance off Hobson Street.
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • Many of the buildings at Sidney Sussex College have step-free access into them. However, most have internal steps that cannot be overcome step-free. Lifts are available in the Garden Court Building, Blundell Court and Sussex House.
    • There is clear directional signage around the site (Photographs 27 and 28) which means those unfamiliar with the layout will still be able to find their way to most of the key College areas and buildings. Site maps are also available from the Porters' Lodge. Accessible toilet facilities are located just inside the Mong Building, by the Dining Hall, and off Staff Court.

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (King Street Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off King Street.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Blundell Court, Sidney Bar, Garden 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 not available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by staff and visitors.
  • 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.
    • Visitor parking is only available here if requested in advance. At the time of the survey many of the parking bays were not in use due to building work. Photograph 4 shows the vehicle entrance into the car park from King Street.

Getting To (Accommodation - Garden Court)

  • Location View
    • Accommodation - Garden Court is located on the 2nd floor upwards of Garden Court.
    • Garden Court is accessed via the pedestrian entrance leading to the Porters' Lodge, through Chapel Court and along the side of the Mong Building.
    • There is not wayfinding signage along the route to Garden Court.
    • Sidney Sussex College link (new tab) - click here.

Outside Access (Garden Court)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located central to the front of Garden Court.
    • This entrance gives access to the Library, Offices, I.T Office and Accommodation.
    • 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.
    • 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 code is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key code reader is 100cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The exit push pad or push button is 112cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • The key code reader also doubles up as a key card reader.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • 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 a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located on either side of the ramp.
    • 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 15cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • The surface of the ramp on the approach to the entrance is block paving and cobbles which could be a trip hazard.
    • The steps to the side of the entrance door lead from the covered walkway from Blundell Court and the path from South Court and Hobson Court. Both ways have 2-3 further steps slightly further away from the entrance.
      (Photographs 7 and 8).

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located in the centre of the entrance foyer.
    • The stairs are approximately 6m from the Garden Court entrance.
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell from the first floor upwards.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are P, R, S, T.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail 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 extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.
  • Other Information View
    • On the half landing the stairs split turning to right and left, the handrail is on the side away from the wall only. From the first floor the handrail is on the left going up.

Lift

  • The lift is located on the ground floor, opposite the main stairwell and near the Garden Court entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Garden Court entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 0 (P), 1 (Q), 2 (R), 3 (S), 4 (T).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is not a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 89cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 107cm x 138cm.
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.

Accommodation

  • Accessible Room Information View
    • This type of accessible room is located on S Floor and R Floor.
    • There is step-free access to this type of accessible room.
    • Residents need to open a door between the lift and the room(s).
    • The room surveyed does not have an adjoining room.
  • Accessible Room Features View
    • The accessible room surveyed is located on S Floor, at the right hand side of the building as you exit the lift.
    • The accessible room surveyed at the time of the visit was S17.
    • There is step-free access to the accessible room surveyed.
    • The colour contrast between the external room door and wall is good.
    • The door is manual with a key lock.
    • The keyhole height is 93cm.
    • The width of the door is 78cm.
    • There are not lowered spy holes available.
    • The colour contrast between the internal room door and wall is good.
    • The bed height is not adjustable.
    • The height of the bed is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The measurement between the bed base and floor is 25cm (10in).
    • The bed is not moveable.
    • The room does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm next to the bed.
    • The height of the desk is 73cm.
    • The desk is not height adjustable.
    • The desk knee recess has the recommended dimensions of 70cm (height) x 50cm (depth).
    • The room surveyed had an armchair and a desk chair without armrests.
    • Wardrobes have not been adapted to allow use from a seated position.
    • Light switches are between 75cm and 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • Electric sockets are between 40cm and 100cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • The window controls are not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is an emergency alarm in the room.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm in the room is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
    • The colour contrast between the room walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels in the room are good.
    • The height of the keyhole is 93cm.
      The height of the push pad to exit the room is 107cm.
      The window is a sash window with hooks and a twist/turn latch.
  • Bathroom Facilities View
    • This information relates to the ensuite.
    • The colour contrast between the external bathroom door and wall is poor.
    • The bathroom door opens by sliding.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door has no lock.
    • The width of the door into the bathroom is 80cm.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
    • The colour contrast between the internal bathroom door and wall is good.
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 210cm x 200cm.
    • The bathroom does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The bathroom has a non-slip floor.
    • The colour contrast between the bathroom walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm within the bathroom.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm in the ensuite is within reach and fully functional.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the bathroom.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is a shelf immediately next to or behind the toilet.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps do not have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • 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 75cm.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The lighting levels in the bathroom are good.
    • The wash basin is adjustable horizontally and vertically.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The toilet has a wall which acts as a backrest.
    • 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 dropdown rail, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The colour 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 rails are on the right.
    • There is not 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 colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 98cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a 3cm lip around the shower area which obstructs the transfer space (Photograph 14).
  • Shower Details View
    • The ensuite has a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head is hand held.
    • Shower controls have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
    • There is not a/are not wall-mounted grab rail(s) available for the shower.
    • The temperature control is twist/turn, the power control is lever. The flip down seat is height adjustable. There is a 3cm lip around the shower area (Photograph 14).
  • Comments View
    • Key fobs are issued to the occupants of the three accessible rooms. These activate automatic doors in the corridor between the room and the lift lobby.

Kitchen/Dining Area (Accessible Room - S17)

  • There is open access (no doors) into the kitchen/dining area.
  • Lowered work surfaces are not available.
  • There is a height adjustable work surface (which includes the sink).
  • The kitchen does not have an unobstructed floor space of at least 150cm × 150cm.
  • There is a knee recess under a work surface.
  • A knee recess is provided adjacent to the sink.
  • Knee recesses are at least 80cm wide.
  • There are not any low level cupboards.
  • There are easy to grip handles or taps for the sink.
  • There are 2 moveable storage units under the worksurface. There is an emergency alarm cord which is more than 10cm from the floor. There is an overhead cupboard with pull down shelving inside (Photographs 8 - 10). There is a towel dispenser 90cm from the floor. There is a soap dispenser 119cm from floor height. The floor is non slip.

Kitchen/Dining Area (S Floor Shared)

  • The kitchen/dining area is accessed by a single door with an opening width of over 75cm.
  • The door is not push pad activated.
  • Lowered work surfaces are not available.
  • The height of the lowest work surface is 92cm.
  • The kitchen does not have an unobstructed floor space of at least 150cm × 150cm.
  • There is not a knee recess under a work surface.
  • There are low level cupboards.
  • There are easy to grip handles or taps for the sink.
  • There are dining chairs without armrests only.
  • There are 2 sets of doors to access the kitchen. The first door requires a keycode to access. The height of the keycode reader is 123cm. There is a button to unlock the door for exit at a height of 124cm. There is a small lip on the threshold of the first door. The height of the lowest dining table is 67cm. The height of the highest dining table is 71cm.

Accessible Toilet(s)

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

Standard Toilet(s) (S Floor Shared Bathroom)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located on S Floor, at the right hand side of the building as you exit the lift.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m from the lift.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • 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 85cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • This toilet is for the use of rooms S09, S13, S14, S15, S16, S18, and S19.
      There are similar shared standard toilets throughout the accommodation.

Standard Shower (S Floor Shared Bathroom)

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located in the S Floor bathroom.
  • There is not level access to the shower facilities.
  • The shower is accessed by a 24cm step which is created by the shower tray. The shower head is height adjustable and the controls are lever.
  • There are similar showers in the shared bathrooms throughout the accommodation.