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Darroch Court

The University of Edinburgh, Darroch Court, St John Hill, Edinburgh, EH8 9UQ

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include self catering accommodation.
  • There is step free access into flats 1, 2, 3 and 12.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The Central Area is located on the south side in the city centre. Traffic congestion can be a problem and parking is strictly controlled.
    • A number of university car parks are located in the near the Halls of Residences. The Transport and Parking Office of the University of Edinburgh manages parking at the University. University car parks are for the use of permit holders only and are subject to the university’s parking regulations. Permits are available for visitors to the university. There is also the St John's Hill pay and display public car park located along Viewcraig Gardens.
  • By Bus View
    • There are bus stops around the area of the Halls. The nearest bus stops are located along Holyrood Road and serve route number six.
  • By Train View
    • The Halls are located is 0.4 miles from Edinburgh Waverley Station. It should be noted that some of the walking routes may feature paths with steep gradients or steps given the landscape. A taxi can be taken to this site. Edinburgh has rail links throughout the UK. The East Coast mainline, which links Edinburgh and London King’s Cross, is the UK's fastest intercity railway: you can travel between the cities in around 4 hours. Or, if you prefer to travel overnight, a sleeper service runs between London Euston and Edinburgh Waverley 6 nights a week. There are great links to other cities too. The journey to Glasgow only takes 45 minutes, while York, Newcastle, Inverness or Aberdeen can be reached in about 2 hours. All trains arrive at Waverley Station in the centre of the city, although some trains also stop at Haymarket, which is a smaller station in the West End.

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located in front and to the right of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • There is/are 4 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 335cm x 400cm (10ft 12in x 13ft 1in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Flat 12 Entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance .
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Flat 12)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located next to the Blue Badge bays to the right of the Laundry.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The bell is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is easy.
    • The ramp is permanent.

Outside Access (Laundry)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the walkway leading to flats 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 105cm (3ft 5in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located at the base of the entrance door.
    • There is / are 1 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 not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.

Outside Access (Office)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the walkway leading to flats 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 to the left of the laundry.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The bell is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The bell is at a height of 110cm.
    • The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The intercom is at a height of 140cm.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located at the base of the door.
    • There is / are 1 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 not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are shallow (2cm - 10cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.

Darroch Court Block Access

  • There are two medium steps to access flat 4. These can be seen in photograph 1.
  • There are 10 deep steps with handrails on both sides to access the rear part of Darroch Court that leads to blocks 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9. These can be seen in photograph 2.
  • There are six additional deep steps leading to blocks 5 & 6 which can be seen in photograph 3.
  • There are six steps leading into block 7 which can be seen in photograph 4.
  • There are six steps that lead into block 8. These can be seen in photograph 5.
  • After overcoming the six steps leading to block 8 there are an additional seven steps leading to block 9 for a total of thirteen steps. These can be seen in photograph six.

Reception (Office / Reception)

  • The Office / Reception is located just inside the office entrance.
  • The desk is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the office entrance.
  • Clear signage for the reception area is not visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
  • The reception desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Accommodation

  • Location of Accessible Accommodation View
    • There is level access from an accessible entrance.
    • The room number viewed was 12C.
    • The width of the door to the room is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The dimensions of the clear floor space are 180cm x 375cm (5ft 11in x 12ft 4in).
    • The bed is 55cm high.
    • The measurement between the bed base and floor is 35cm (1ft 2in).
    • Light switches are within 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • There is not a functional emergency alarm in the room.
    • No emergency alarm is fitted in the room.
    • Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with residents in accessible accommodation.
  • Accessible Bathroom View
    • The information relates to the shared bathroom.
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 168cm x 255cm (5ft 6in x 8ft 4in).
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The width of the door to the bathroom is 86cm.
    • The door weight is heavy.
    • There is a functional emergency alarm in the bathroom.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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 in height.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • The measurement of lateral transfer space is 96cm (3ft 2in).
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet pan the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There are mirrors.
    • The mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
  • Bath and Shower View
    • There is not a bath.
  • Wheel In Shower View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head height is adjustable.
    • The type of shower controls used are twist/turn.
    • The shower seat is flip-down.
    • The shower seat height is 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • There are handrails available for the shower.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible rooms View
    • The colour contrast between the external room door and wall is low.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • The colour contrast between the internal room door and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between external ensuite / bathroom door and wall is high.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible bathroom View
    • The colour contrast between the internal bathroom door and wall is low.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor in the bathroom is high.
    • The colour contrast between the dropdown rails and wall is low.
    • The colour contrast between the grab rails and wall is low.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Auxiliary Aids - General View
    • Some of the rooms have auxiliary aids for people with sensory impairments.
    • Available auxiliary aids include vibrating pillows.
    • Other auxiliary aids available are fire alarm pager.
  • Ground Floor Rooms View
    • Ground floor rooms do have level access.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.
  • Standard Rooms on Other Floors View
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors cannot be accessed by lift.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.
  • Comments View
    • Flat 12 has step level access to all facilities.
    • There is also step free access to the shower facilities in flat 2.

Other Floors (Flat 7)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are - 2 - -1 - G - 1 - 2.
    • The stairs are located in flat 7.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • There is a landing.
    • There are similar staircases in other flats the stairs in flats 3 & 5 go to floors G, 1 & 2. The stairs is flat 6 go the floors -2, -1 & G. The stairs in flat 9 go to floors G, 1, 2 & 3.

Toilet with Adaptations (Flat 12 Additional Accessible Toilet)

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the flat 12 entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to your left on entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 175cm x 184cm (5ft 9in x 6ft).
    • There is not a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are open waste paper bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the right.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.