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Whitworth Building

The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include the Council Chambers.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The University of Manchester is located in the centre of Manchester just off the A57(M) between Upper Brook Street (A34) and the Higher Cambridge Street (A5067).
    • There are multiple permit holder only car parks around the university campus. There is a NCP car park located on the North East corner of the campus, just of Upper Brook Street. This car park is the Manchester Aquatics Centre NCP and charges apply for all users. There are multiple blue badge permit holder car parks located around the campus.
  • By Bus View
    • There are multiple bus stops throughout the campus along Oxford Road. There are bus stops outside the Kilburn Building, Manchester Aquatics Centre and Stopford Building, these stops are served by routes 15, 18, 41, 42, 42A, 42B, 43, 53, 111, 142, 143, 147, 191, 197, 746, V4, Vantage V1 and Vantage V2.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station is the Manchester Oxford Road station. This train station is approximately 700m from the centre of the university campus, this takes approximately 10 minutes to complete on foot. The Manchester Oxford Road station is served by the East Midlands Trains, Transpennine Express, Northern and Transport for Wales services.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Rooms and Spaces Links

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, to the left as you enter.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, to the left as you enter.

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by staff, visitors, permit holders and Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the building within the Quadrangle.
    • 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 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted but have no markings.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 7m (7yd 1ft) from the side entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car park.
    • The name of the car park is Car Park B.
    • The car park is located Booth Street West.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car park.
    • The name of the car park is Car Park B.
    • The car park is located Booth Street West.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • 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 double (with one leaf locked).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • 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 in front of the entrance.
    • 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.

Outside Access (Side Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building in the Quadrangle.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main 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 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • Comments View
    • This door is kept locked unless there is an event taking place.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is/are 4 unmarked step(s), with a central handrail, for access to the rear of the ground floor.
    • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
    • These steps can be seen in photograph 2.
    • There are no 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 directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is poor colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The system is a fixed loop.
    • The hearing loops are located within the council chambers.
  • Comments View
    • The majority of this building can be accessed via a lift in the Christie Building which is located to the right of this building in the Quadrangle.
    • The entrance to the Christie Building can be seen in photograph 10.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
    • The stairs are located at the rear as you enter.
    • The stairs are approximately 12m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • There is a landing.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are council chambers.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left as you enter via the side entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the accessible 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 pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • 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 162cm x 184cm (5ft 4in x 6ft).
    • 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.
    • 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 a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary and nappy/incontinence items bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (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 99cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 97cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is good.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located to the left as you enter.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the side entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • There are horizontal wall mounted rails available on both sides of the toilet.
    • There are vertical wall mounted rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • There are dropdown rails available on both sides of the ambulant toilet(s).
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.