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St Cecilia’s Hall

The University of Edinburgh, Central Campus, Niddry Street, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NQ

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Galleries and Concert Hall.

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

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 (within approximately 50m of the building).
    • The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on Niddry Street.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The parking on Niddry Street is for permit holders only.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Niddry Street.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 225cm (7ft 5in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is moderate.
    • The ramp is permanent.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located to the left as you face 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 medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • There is an additional easy ramp beyond the entrance which can be seen in photograph 5.

Reception

  • St Cecilia’s Hall Reception is located in front of you on entrance.
  • The desk is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is ramped access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are good.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • The bell is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • There is an easy ramp, with no handrails, for access to ground floor galleries and toilet facilities.
    • The width of the ramp is 130cm (4ft 3in).
    • The ramp can be seen in photograph 1.
    • 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 no directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Galleries

  • There are four galleries within the building.
  • There is ramped access to the two on the ground floor. The two on the first floor have step free access via the lift.
  • The galleries present various musical instruments. They are level and have seating available.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
    • The stairs are located in front of you on entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 6m from the main entrance.
    • 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 both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • There are two sets of medium stairs from the ground to first floors to the right of the building. One with handrails to the right going up and one with handrails to the left. These can be seen in photographs 3 & 4.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right of reception.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 123cm x 270cm (4ft x 8ft 10in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.
  • Comments View
    • Staff can use the lift to access staff only areas on floors 2 & 3.

Concert Hall

  • There is no clear signage for the concert hall.
  • The concert hall is located off the lift lobby on the first floor which is over 150cm in width.
  • There is step free access in the concert hall.
  • Most of the seating is moveable.
  • There is no designated accessible seating area, but due to the nature of the seating one can easily be provided.
  • There is stepped access to some of the seating in the hall.
  • There is no step free access to the performance area.
  • There are flashing fire alarms.
  • There is a turning space of 150cmX150cm.
  • There are no trip hazards.
  • A fixed hearing loop is in place.

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 pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located along the ground floor slope to the right of the reception.
    • There is not 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 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 174cm x 214cm (5ft 9in x 7ft).
    • There is 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • 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 open waste paper bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are 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 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 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 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 good.
    • There is a good 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.
  • Comments View
    • There is a baby change at a height of 90cm in the accessible toilet.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • 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 half way down the ground floor ramp.
    • 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 16m 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.