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George Square, 16-20

The University of Edinburgh, Central Campus, 16-20 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Basement Floor - Offices Ground Floor - Teaching Rooms and Offices First Floor - Teaching Rooms, Library and Offices Second Floor - Offices.

Rooms and Spaces Links

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The Central Area is located on the south side of the city centre. Traffic congestion can be a problem, and parking is strictly controlled. Options to driving into the city centre include Park & Ride tram and bus car parks at the edges of the city.
    • A number of University car parks are located in the Central Area. 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
    • Buses from all over the city travel to the Central Area of the university. The University also provides a shuttle bus for staff and students between the Central Area and the King's Buildings. The majority of buses are operated by Lothian Buses. Up to the minute "real time" bus timetable information is now available at the majority of bus stops across the city. Information panels provided next to the majority of bus stops let you know when the next bus services will be arriving, or if there has been a delay.
  • By Train View
    • The Central Area of the university is 0.7 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. 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. A sleeper service runs between London Euston and Edinburgh Waverley 6 nights a week. There are intercity links to other cities including Glasgow (45 minutes), and York, Newcastle or Aberdeen (all 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.
  • By Tram View
    • The Edinburgh tram service runs from Edinburgh Airport in the west, to York Place in the east end of the city centre, presently being extended to Leith north east of the city centre. The nearest stop to the Central Campus Area is Princes Street. The nearest stop to the Lauriston Campus and the ECA buildings, or to the Western General site, is West End.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (George Square Lane - A and B Permit Holders)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in George Square Lane.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Chrystal MacMillan Building and 16 -20 George Square.
    • 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 560cm x 220cm (18ft 4in x 7ft 3in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders.
  • 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 Crystal MacMillan Building.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the Crystal MacMillan Building.
    • The nearest designated bay is 38m (41yd 1ft) from the Crystal MacMillan Building main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • This car parking area is essentially a private road in which permit holders can only park in the section belonging to the University.

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or marked on street Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 200cm x 600cm (6ft 7in x 19ft 8in).
    • The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on George Square.
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The dimensions of the standard marked parking bays are 200cm x 600cm (6ft 7in x 19ft 8in).
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on George Square.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (16 George Square)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off George Square.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • 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) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 4 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 deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.

Outside Access (19 George Square)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off George Square.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • 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) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • 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 permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 8 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 height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • There is a push button release to exit the building.

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the rear of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 75cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located between the first and second set of doors.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.
    • The width of the ramp is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • Comments View
    • The entrance leads into room B.29. To exit B.29 onto the basement corridor there is a light door with a width of 75cm that opens towards you. This can be seen in photograph 5.
    • This entrance will only be opened if staff are notified in advance.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is/are 1 clearly marked step(s), with no handrails, for access to 16-18 George Square from the 19 George Square Entrance.
    • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
    • The step is located immediately to your right on entrance.
    • There is/are 1 clearly marked step(s), with no handrails, for access to B28.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • This can be seen in photograph 2.
      The step also leads to the area in front of the basement male standard toilets, however there is a shallow step to access these.
    • There is/are 1 clearly marked step(s), with no handrails, for access to 20 George Square from the rest of the building on the first floor.
    • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
    • The step can be seen in photograph 3.
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is not clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • In the Corridor between 16 and 17 George Square there is a door with a width of 71cm.
    • The 20 George Square area of the ground floor is not accessible via the corridor and can only be accessed by going through a teaching room.
      This blocks easy access to the ground floor male toilets.
    • There is a breakout space on the ground floor with stepped access, the step can be seen in photograph 1.
    • The breakout space can be seen in photograph 9.
    • There are four clearly marked deep steps between 16-17 and 18-20 with a handrail on the right on the second floor.
    • The first and second floors are uneven and have several easy slopes along the corridor at various points.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B-G-1-2.
    • The stairs are located in 18 George Square.
    • The stairs are approximately 5m from the 19 George Square entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell on the basement floor and on the second floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • 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 is a staircase in 16 George Square from B-G only. This can be seen in photographs 2-3.
      There is a similar staircase in 19 George Square. This can be seen in photographs 4-7.
      There is a similar staircase is 20 George Square from floors G-1-2. This can be seen in photograph 8.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are teaching rooms, offices and the IMES Library.
  • Comments View
    • G.25 is located between the ground and first floor on this staircase.
    • The basement area of 19 George Square cannot be accessed via the lift.
    • There are handrails on both sides of the staircase between floors B-G.

Library (IMES Library)

  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in large print.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in audio format.
  • There is not an ordering service.
  • The library does not have computers with accessible software.
  • Auxiliary aids are not available for computer users.
  • Comments View
    • The library is located on the first floor to which there is no step free access.
    • The only computer in the library is for librarian use only.
    • There is an easy step in the library to get between separate areas.

Accessible Toilet (Lower Ground Floor - Transfer Both Sides)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the accessible entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the basement floor in 16 George Square next to the stairlift.
    • 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 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 285cm x 190cm (9ft 4in x 6ft 3in).
    • 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 both sides.
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 110cm.
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 110cm.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • There is a flush 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 female sanitary and 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 for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is 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 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 102cm (3ft 4in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 75cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 86cm.
  • 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 moderate to good.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Ground floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor, to the left and down the corridor as you enter from 16.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the 16 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 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 easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • 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 198cm x 224cm (6ft 6in x 7ft 4in).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 138cm (4ft 6in).
    • 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 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 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) 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 not available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 181cm from the floor.
  • 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 cistern.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (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 height of the toilet roll holder is 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is good.
    • 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 72cm (2ft 4in).
    • 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 102cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 103cm (3ft 5in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is good.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are female standard toilets facilities on the basement floor.
    • There are male standard toilets facilities on the basement floor and the ground floor.
    • There are shared standard toilets facilities on the first floor and the second floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located to your left at the bottom of the B28 level change.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 11m from the lift.
    • 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.
    • The step(s) is / are located at the base of the door to the toilets.
    • There is/are 1 step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are shallow (2cm - 10cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • The female toilets on the basement floor can only be accessed via the staircase in 19 George Square.
    • The male toilets on the ground floor can only be accessed step free by travelling through rooms G.02 or G.22.