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Norfolk Building (Main College Building) - Students' Post Room and Teaching Rooms

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.

Site/Campus Car Park (Overflow Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the left hand side of the College site.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Studio Flats and the Richard Laws 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.
    • There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 230cm x 489cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The marked zone is 125cm wide.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders 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 not clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is not a campus map available within the car park.
    • The nearest designated bay is 165m (180yd 1ft) from the Norfolk Building entrance.

Getting To (The Students' Post Room and Teaching Rooms)

Outside Access (Norfolk Building - Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the east side of the Norfolk Building.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped 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 double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 67cm.
    • 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 to the left as you face 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.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 1 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 6cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Reception (Norfolk Building - Main Reception)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to the left as you enter via the Norfolk Building Main Entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the Norfolk Building Main 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 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 89cm .
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • There is no wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • The seats do not have armrests.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.

Outside Access (Norfolk Building - Entrance A)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the southwest side of the Norfolk Building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'A'.
    • There is stepped 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.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 137cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 59cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The 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 76cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance as well as between the two sets of doors.
    • There is/are 4 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 14cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Outside Access (Norfolk Building - Entrance B)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the south side of the Norfolk Building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'B'.
    • There is stepped 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.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 122cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 59cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The 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 78cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 3 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 14cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Entrance (Students' Post Room)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the ground level of the Norfolk Building, off the main corridor on the far side of the Common Room.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Students' Post Room'.
    • There is step-free access 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 105cm.
    • 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 66cm.

Students' Post Room

  • The flooring within the room is carpet.
  • The lighting levels within the room are moderate to good.
  • There is a light switch to the left as you enter at a height of 126cm (Photograph 3).
  • There is bench seating available at a height of 39cm (Photograph 4).
  • There is no 150cmx150cm manoeuvring space within the room.
  • There are waste disposal facilities available (Photograph 5).
  • The lowest pigeon holes range in height between 25cm and 175cm.
  • There is no red flashing alarm.

Teaching/Seminar Room(s) (Teaching Room 1)

  • Signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible on or near the door.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is not sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is not step free access into the room(s) from the corridor.
  • There is/are 1 shallow (2cm-10cm) step(s) for access to the room(s) .
  • The step(s) is not/are not clearly marked and do/does not have handrails.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • 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 not fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 65cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • The room does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Furniture can be moved to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
  • There is key card access into this room. The key card reader is at a height of 114cm.

Teaching/Seminar Room(s) (Teaching Room 2)

  • Signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible on or near the door.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is not sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the room(s) from the corridor.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • 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 not fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 65cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • The room does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Furniture can be moved to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
  • There is key card access into this room. The key card reader is at a height of 110cm.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Norfolk Building Ground Floor - Right Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor of the Norfolk Building, along the main corridor ahead as you enter.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Norfolk 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 good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 90cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • 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 169cm x 324cm (5ft 7in x 10ft 8in).
    • The accessible toilet does 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
    • There is a flush 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 poor.
    • 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 left.
    • 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 poor.
    • 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 pedal bin 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 a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf has the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 86cm.
    • The shelf is not 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 poor.
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) cannot 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 poor.
    • 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 114cm.
    • 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 93cm (3ft 1in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a flip down baby change table available .
    • The height of the baby change table is 98cm.

Standard Toilet(s) (Norfolk Building Ground Floor)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located on the ground floor of the Norfolk Building, off the main corridor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is poor.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • There are horizontal wall mounted rails available on both sides of the toilet.
    • The ambulant toilet does not have vertical wall mounted grab rails.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.