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Mount Pleasant Halls - Common Room

St Edmund's College, Mount Pleasant Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0BN

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Access Guide

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Getting To and Around St Edmund's College

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • St Edmund's College is situated to the North East of Cambridge city centre. The vehicle entrance to the Campus is located in Mount Pleasant. There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
    • St Edmund's College has limited on-site car parking. The main parking area is located ahead as you enter the College from Mount Pleasant, next to Norfolk Building, where there is 1 Blue Badge parking bay. There is a Blue Badge car park off Mount Pleasant next to the Mount Pleasant Halls Blocks B and G, where there are 4 Blue Badge parking bays. There is also an overflow car park near the Richard Laws Building, where there is 1 Blue Badge parking bay. The overflow car park is clearly signposted from the main car park. 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 St Edmund's College there are many sheltered cycle stands available off the main car park access road, next to the overflow car park, and also in the area surrounding Mount Pleasant Halls. A sheltered cycle stand for visitors is located outside Bene't House.
    • For more information on getting to St Edmund's 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 not a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
    • There are bus stops in Castle Street close to the College.
      The bus services that stop in Castle Street include; 5 citi, and 6 citi.
      These bus services give direct links to; Swavesey, Oakington, Bar Hill and the city centre.
      The bus station in Castle Street is approximately 250 metres away from St Edmund's College.
    • 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 in Mount Pleasant. Access is via an ungated access point which is situated to the left of the vehicular entrance (Photograph 1). There are steps at this entrance to the site (Photograph 2). The steps are 15cm deep and are clearly marked with a handrail on the left going up. There is a 4.7 degree slope at the top of the steps leading in from the street (Photograph 3). The surface at this entrance is uneven in places (Photograph 4).
    • Pedestrians can also access the site via a gated pedestrian entrance to Mount Pleasant Halls on Huntingdon Road (Photographs 5 and 6). The gate opens towards from you and is unlocked by either using the intercom (height 114cm) or using the card reader (height 99cm) (Photograph 7). There is a button to unlock the gate for exit (height 90cm) (Photograph 8). There is a 3.3 degree ramp beyond the gate (Photograph 9). There are steps at this entrance to the site (Photograph 10). The steps are 17cm deep and are clearly marked with a handrail on the right going up. These steps can be overcome by using the lifts in Blocks D and E.
    • There is an additional pedestrian entrance on Mount Pleasant which is adjacent to the vehicular exit from the College (Photograph 11). There is a camber to the edge of the access road of 5.0 degrees. The pedestrian walkway is clearly marked and is 64cm wide.
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • If you have accessed the College site by vehicle and parked in the designated Blue Badge bay in the main area there is open step-free access to the network of paths around external areas of the St Edmund's College site. The site is mostly level or have slight slopes with wide paths (150cm+) but path surfaces do vary (Photographs 12-20).
    • If you have accessed the College site by vehicle and parked in the designated Blue Badge car park in the Mount Pleasant Halls area there is open step-free access to the network of paths around the external areas of the Mount Pleasant Halls site. The site has stepped areas with slight ramps which overcome them. The paths are wide (150cm), and the ramps in front of Blocks C and F are 147cm wide. These ramps overcome the steps into the quad in the centre of Mount Pleasant Halls (Photographs 21-25).
    • There is a clearly marked pedestrian crossing giving access between the main area of the College and Mount Pleasant Halls (Photograph 26). There are steps leading between the 2 areas of the site (Photograph 28). The steps can be overcome by using a long 4.0 degree ramp with handrails on both sides (Photograph 29 and 30).
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • Many of the buildings at St Edmund's College have stepped access into and around them (Photographs 31-33). 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 access ramps to bypass external steps (Photographs 34-37) and internal lifts to access other floors. The accommodation blocks in Mount Pleasant are a new build and have internal lifts to give access to all floors. Please see our Detailed Access Guides for further information on access to buildings.
    • There is a variety of directional signage around the site to help those unfamiliar with the layout (Photographs 38 and 39). There is also a map available on the College website to reference. Accessible toilet facilities are located in the Norfolk Building and the Common Room in Mount Pleasant Halls Block E.

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (Main Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Mount Pleasant.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Norfolk 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 and signposted.
    • There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 198cm x 570cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by staff permit holders, visitors and Blue Badge 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 clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is not a campus map available within the car park.
    • The nearest designated bay is 9m (9yd 2ft) from the Norfolk Building Main Entrance.

Site/Campus Car Park (Mount Pleasant Halls Blue Badge Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Mount Pleasant.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Blocks B and G.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted but have no markings.
    • There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 232cm x 471cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The marked zone is 130cm wide.
    • 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.
  • 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 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Block B entrance.

Getting To (Mount Pleasant Halls Common Room)

Bike Storage

  • The bike storage is located at the Northeast corner of the Mount Pleasant Halls Courtyard, to the right as you face the Common Room Entrance.
  • There is a single, heavy, manual, 103cm wide door that opens away from you (push) leading into the bike store from the courtyard (Photograph 3).
  • There is a slight slope leading down to the entrance (Photographs 1 and 2).
  • The entrance is key card activated (Photograph 4).
  • The key card reader is at a height of 90cm.
  • There is good lighting as well as ample manoeuvring space within the bike storage area itself (Photographs 5 and 6).
  • There is a second entrance that can be used to access the bike storage from Mount Pleasant. There is stepped access at this entrance (Photographs 7 and 8).
  • The steps are at a height of 17cm and are clearly marked on the tread but not the nose.
  • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the stairs as well as handrails on both sides.
  • The entrance itself is automatic, 75cm+ wide and activated via key card (Photograph 9).
  • The key card reader is 90cm in height (Photograph 10).

Outside Access (Common Room - External)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the Northeast corner of the Mount Pleasant Courtyard, between Blocks D and E.
    • This entrance gives access to the Common Room and Laundry Room.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Common Room'.
    • 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 not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 92cm.
    • 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 107cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Comments View
    • There is an exit button that releases the catch on the door at a height of 90cm (Photograph 4).

Entrance (Common Room - Porters' Lodge)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right as you enter via the Reception/Porters' Lodge Entrance.
    • This entrance gives access to the Reception/Porters' Lodge and Common Room.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access 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 96cm.

Breakout Space(s) (Common Room)

  • 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 fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) ranges between 33cm and 71cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • The room does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
  • There is an 85cm high kitchen counter with a sink within the Common Room (Photograph 8).

Accessible Toilet(s) (Common Room - Left Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located within the Common Room.
    • 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 no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 155cm x 244cm (5ft 1in x 8ft).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to 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 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a female 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 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 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 female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not 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 backrest.
    • 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
    • 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).
    • 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 good.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 100cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is poor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.