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Pollock Halls Reception Centre

The University of Edinburgh, 18 Holyrood Park Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5AY

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Access Guide

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Introduction

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00 - 18:00.
  • Tuesday 08:00 - 18:00.
  • Wednesday 08:00 - 18:00.
  • Thursday 08:00 - 18:00.
  • Friday 08:00 - 18:00.
  • Saturday 08:00 - 18:00.
  • Sunday 08:00 - 18:00.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • This building is located within the Pollock Halls of Residence site on the Holyrood Park Road off the A7 near Arthur's Seat in the southeast of Edinburgh.
    • 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.
  • By Bus View
    • The nearest bus stops to the campus are for the Royal Commonwealth Pool on Dalkeith Road.
      Lothian Buses provide a number of services which stop within close proximity to Pollock Halls.
      These include: 2, 3, 5 ,7, 8, 14, 29, 30, 31, 33, 37, 47, 49, N3, N30, N31, N37, X29, X31 and X37.
      The following First Bus services also stop at bus stops on Dalkeith Road: 95A and X95.
  • By Train View
    • The Pollock Halls of Residence site is approximately one mile from Edinburgh Waverley Train Station, the city's main train station.
      Buses and taxis are available from the station to the site.
  • By Tram View
    • The nearest Edinburgh Tram stops are in the city centre, around 1-2 miles away, within reach of the campus using public transport.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located opposite St Leonard's Hall.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are St Leonard's Hall.
    • 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 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 405cm x 470cm (13ft 3in x 15ft 5in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is sloped access to the car park from the St Leonard's Hall or the Reception Building.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the St Leonard's Hall building.
    • The nearest designated bay is 75m (82yd 1in) from the Reception Building main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • There is further parking in the centre of the site, although there are no further Blue Badge bays in this area.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 142cm (4ft 8in).
  • 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 moderate.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on the left going up.

Outside Access (Rear Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 142cm (4ft 8in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 136cm (4ft 6in).
  • 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.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.

Outside Access (Accessible Lower Floor Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the left of the main entrance, to the lower floor.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located leading down to the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is moderate.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • This door must be opened from the inside.

Reception

  • The Pollock Halls Reception is located to the left as you enter.
  • The desk is 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • The reception area is clearly 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 high (110cm+).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building.
    • There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written and pictorial directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
  • Comments View
    • There are some computers available, but they may be at a height unsuitable for wheelchair users.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-LG.
    • The stairs are located to the front left of the building.
    • The stairs are approximately 4m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on all floors.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
  • Comments View
    • These stairs can be bypassed using the alternative entrances to access the lower ground floor which is mainly a staff area.

Accessible Toilet (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the main entrance.
    • The accessible toilet is located to the right as you enter.
    • There is a similar toilet on the lower floor which offers transfer space to the right.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 144cm x 200cm (4ft 9in x 6ft 7in).
    • 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 42cm (1ft 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 twist/turn.
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • 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).
    • 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 medium colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • 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 good.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the ground floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right as you enter.
    • There is a female standard toilet in the same location.
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 5m from the main entrance.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.