Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include staff offices, a meeting room, a seminar room, a coffee room and PHD rooms.
Rooms and Spaces Links
Getting Here
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By Road
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- 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.
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By Bus
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- 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.
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By Train
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- 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.
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By Tram
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- 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.
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Useful Links
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- To see the university's webpage for travel by public transport to the Central Area and relevant links please use this link.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- To see the university's webpage for driving and parking information for the Central Area and relevant links please use this link.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- To view the university's campus maps and walking information please use this link.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Useful Information
- To see more information on The Advice Place please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0131 650 9225.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on The Student Disability Service please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0131 650 6828.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Student Recruitment and Admissions please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0131 650 4360.
- To see more information on Accommodation please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0131 667 1971.
- Email: [email protected].
- Staff receive Disability Equality Training.
Site/Campus Car Park (High School Yards)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located at High School Yards off Infirmary Street.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Old Infirmary Building, ECCI, Old Surgeons Hall, Chisholm House, 9-11 Infirmary Street and 13 Infirmary Street.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park surface is tarmac and block paving.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
- There is/are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 370cm x 610cm (12ft 2in x 20ft).
- The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by staff permit holders and student permit holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
- Signs are clearly presented.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
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Car Park Access
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- There is ramped/sloped and stepped access to the car park from the Infirmary Street.
- This car park is not clearly signposted from the Old Infirmary Building.
- The nearest designated bay is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the rear entrance.
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Comments
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- The designated Blue Badge bays do not need to be booked in advance.
- Two of the designated Blue Badge bays are located directly outside the entrance to High School Yards Boiler House.
- The route from the parking bays to the accessible entrance of High School Yards Boiler House is accessible, with assistance, as the surface is cobbled.
- There is an option to drop off at the door of the following buildings, where ramped level access is available:
- ECCI
- High School Yards Boiler House
- Institute of Geoscience (School of Geography)
- There is pay and display standard on street parking available along Infirmary Street (as shown in photographs 4 and 5).
- The standard bays are 190cm wide and 500cm deep.
- There is a maximum 4 hour stay.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building off the High School Yard's courtyard.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 55cm (1ft 10in).
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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
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Ramp/Slope
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- 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 not have handrails.
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Comments
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- There is a third door that is identical to the second door (as shown in photograph 3).
- The door is located just beyond the reception.
- There is a key code required to access this door.
- The key pad is 125cm high.
- There is an intercom located next to the door that is 145cm high that can also be used to gain access.
- Photograph 5 shows the dropped kerb that leads up onto the pathway where the entrance is located.
Outside Access (First Floor Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the right hand side of the building.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- The bell is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- A key code is required for access at this entrance.
- The card reader/lock is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
- The door(s) is/are push pad activated when exiting.
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The width of the door opening is 105cm (3ft 5in).
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
- The ramp/slope is located leading to the entrance from the High School Yards courtyard.
- The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
- The ramp is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
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Comments
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- In front of the entrance are two additional ramps.
- The first ramp is located to the left as you exit the ramp described above (as shown in photograph 3).
- The ramp is 88cm wide and steep with handrails on the left.
- The second ramp is located directly in front of the door (as shown in photograph 4).
- The ramp is 105cm wide and steep with no handrails.
Lift (First Floor Entrance)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the right as you enter via the first floor entrance.
- The lift is a stair lift.
- Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
- The platform lift accesses a small level change.
- The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the first floor entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The dimensions of the lift are 80cm x 100cm (2ft 7in x 3ft 3in).
- The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does not have an audible announcer.
- The lift does not have a hearing loop system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does not have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lighting level in the lift is medium.
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Comments
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- There is a flip down seat within the lift (as shown in photograph 3).
- The seat is 52cm in height.
Reception (Main Reception)
- The main reception is located to the right as you enter via the main entrance.
- The desk is 2m (2yd 7in) 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 medium.
- 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.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
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Getting Around
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- 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 high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
- The lighting levels are varied.
- This building does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
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- There is step free access on the ground floor.
- There is step free access to the first floor via lift at the first floor entrance.
- There is no step free access between the ground and first floor.
- There is no step free access between the first and second floor.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2.
- The stairs are located at the rear and to the right of the building.
- The stairs are approximately 8m 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 medium.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- There is a landing.
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Comments
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- The handrails are on the left between floors G and 1.
- The handrails are on the right between floors 1 and 2.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located to the left as you enter, past the reception.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 235cm (4ft 9in x 7ft 9in).
- 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 72cm (2ft 4in).
- 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 female sanitary and open waste paper bin disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
- 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 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 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- 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 medium.
Standard Shower
- Shower facilities are available.
- The shower(s) surveyed is/are located within the accessible toilet.
- There is level access to the services from the shower facilities.
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Comments
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- There is 1 medium step leading into the shower.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Location of Standard Toilet(s)
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- There are female standard toilets facilities on the ground floor.
- There are shared standard toilets facilities on the first floor.
- There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the second floor.
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Standard Toilet Surveyed
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- A shared standard toilet was surveyed.
- The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor.
- The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 5m from the first floor entrance 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.