Access Guide
Getting To and Around Sidney Sussex College
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Arriving By Car or Bike
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- 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).
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By Bus
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- 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).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Cambridge.
- Cambridge Station is approximately 2 kilometres away from Sidney Sussex 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 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 one of which is automatic and opens with a width of 140cm, 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. Beyond this is a long slight slope leading up to Staff Court (Photograph 5).
- Key card holders can also access the site via a pedestrian gate within the main gate at the vehicle entrance on King Street (Photograph 6). 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 and an intercom at a height of 85cm, 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.
There is a stepped entrance into Cloister Court off Jesus Lane (Photograph 8).
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Getting Around the College Site
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- 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. The paths around Hall and Chapel Courts have cobbles on either side (Photographs 16 and 17). 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 18). 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 19 and 20).
- There is stepped access to the Covered Walkway (Photograph 21), 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 22). At the far end of the walkway there are 3 steps with handrails both sides leading up to the Sidney Bar (Photograph 23). There are also 15+ steps with no handrails leading up to Blundell Court (Photograph 24).
- 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 25) 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.
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Additional College Site Information
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- 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 26 and 27) 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
- To see more information on University of Cambridge Disability Resource Centre please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 332 301.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Undergraduate Accommodation please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Undergraduate Applications please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Student Wellbeing please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on College policies, protocols and statements (Including COVID 19 Policies and Information) please click here (opens new tab).
Site/Campus Car Park (King Street Car Park)
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Car Park
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- 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.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by staff and visitors.
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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.
- 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. There is an intercom to the porters lodge at the entrance at a height of 85cm.
Getting To (The William Mong Hall)
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Location
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- The William M W Mong Hall is located near the Porters' Lodge Entrance, in the William W M Mong Building.
- From the Porters' Lodge entrance, head through Chapel Court, through the cut through towards the gardens with the entrance to the William M W Mong Building on the right. Once through the door the Hall is straight ahead and to the left of a flight of stairs. There is a steep slope into the Hall.
- There is not wayfinding signage along the route to the William Mong Hall.
- Other services / Facilities within the building include; The Old Library upstairs, standard toilets and ambulant toilet to the right of the entrance.
- Sidney Sussex College link (new tab) - click here.
- The Old Library link (new tab) - click here.
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
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- Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, to the right immediately after the entrance to the William M W Mong Building/Hall.
- Shared standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, to the right immediately after the entrance to the William M W Mong Building/Hall.
Outside Access
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located in the cut through between Chapel Court and the Library, on the right-hand side.
- This entrance gives access to the William M W Mong Dining Hall, ambulant/standard toilets and the Old Library.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped 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 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 97cm.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The exit push pad or push button is 97cm from floor level.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 83cm.
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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 steep.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
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Comments
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- There is a fire exit from the Hall with step-free access that can be used in emergencies.
Eating and Drinking
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Location and Access
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- The following information is for the food hall.
- There is ramped/sloped access to the food hall.
- For access there are double manual doors which are permanently held open.
- There are double doors from the servery into the dining area which are held open and are 135cm wide (Photograph 1).
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Service and Menus
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- Tables cannot be booked in advance.
- There is a buffet counter.
- Menu types include; menu boards.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
- Takeaway cups are not available.
- Adapted cups are not available.
- Adapted cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are not available.
- This area does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system .
- There is currently a mixture of standard and plastic cutlery being used.
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Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 90cm.
- The height of the tray counter/rail is 84cm.
- There is not a moveable card machine available for payment.
- The type of flooring in this area is wood.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
- Food is taken away on trays to the payment counter. There is a refrigerator for cold drinks, fruit/cold snacks behind the service counter. There is a maximum width of 100cm from the end of the service counter rails to the door into the dining room. The door width is 135cm. There is a possible trip hazard on entry to the dining hall (Photograph 9).
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Payment Counter
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- The height of the counter is 83cm.
- The height of the tray counter/rail is 83cm.
- There is not a moveable card machine available for payment.
- The type of flooring in this area is wood.
- The lighting levels are good.
- The card reader/payment machine is 86cm high as the payment counter is slightly angled. All food and drink is paid for here. There is a coffee machine to the right of the counter.
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Tables and Seating
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- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 75cm.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- The type of flooring in this area is wood.
- There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There are a few power/access points on the ground which could be slippery and/or a trip hazard (Photograph 10).
Ramp(s) or Slope(s)
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Ramped/Sloped Level Change 1
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- There is a ramp/slope located immediately ahead and to the left-hand side once you go through the entrance.
- The ramp/slope is used to access the servery and dining area/hall.
- 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 the left going up.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 124cm (4ft 1in).
- The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.
Toilet with Adaptations (William M W Mong Building - Left Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located in the toilet area, directly to the right as you enter the William M W Mong building entrance.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the William M W Mong building 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 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 113cm from floor level.
- The door is locked by a push button or pad.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- 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 150cm x 200cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 7in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- 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 78cm (2ft 7in).
- 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 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 high.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) to the right of the toilet and wall is low.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is medium.
- 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 disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is 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 cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- 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 97cm (3ft 2in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- 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).
- The height of the wash basin is 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 low.
- 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 96cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 95cm (3ft 1in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The shared toilet is located on the ground floor of the William M W Mong Building, to the right of the entrance.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 8m from the William M W Mong entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
- 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 sensor.
- Lighting levels are good.
- There are four standard cubicles accessed via a short 80cm wide corridor.