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Aston Webb B Block

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT

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Access Guide

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COVID-19 Information

  • The information in this section was taken in December 2021.
  • The University of Birmingham has developed Covid Risk Assessments for specific buildings; these are displayed in the buildings and centrally held on the University web site. Building managers regularly review the risk assessments and where necessary update them if Government or University guidance changes.

    Current information can be found here.

Introduction

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • Approaching from the north west or south east along the M6: Leave at Junction 6 (signposted Birmingham Central) to join the A38(M) At the end of the motorway, keep to the right, go over a flyover, then through some underpasses to join the A38 Bristol Road. The University is on your right, two and a half miles from the city centre. Approaching from the M42 north: Leave at Junction 8 to join the M6 northbound and follow the instructions above. Approaching from the south west: Leave the M5 at Junction 4 signposted Birmingham SW) to join the A38. The University is approximately eight miles from the motorway. Approaching from the M40: It is easier to turn south on the M42 and leave at Junction 1, heading north on the A38 Bristol Road. The University is approximately eight miles from the motorway.
    • There are various car parks located throughout the campus which require permits for staff.
      Blue Badge holders can park on Campus and must use the intercom to Security to pass through the security barriers at each entrance.
      The nearest visitor parking is located at the North East Car Park off Pritchatts Road at B15 2SA which is 0.7 mile and a 14 minute walk from the building, through the Green Heart of Campus (with extended sections at a gradient).
  • By Bus View
    • Nxbus numbers 48 and X20 Platinum, X21 Platinum and X22 Platinum run from the city centre and stop near to the University Railway Station on Vincent Drive for the University and QE hospital, bus stop ID: nwmapjgj. This is 650m, a walk of around 8 minutes across campus (with extended sections at a gradient).
      Alternatively, take the 1A or 76 buses along Aston Webb Boulevard and alight at bus stop ID: nwmwgpwa near the University Grange Road entrance and Bournbrook Pavilion. This is a walk of around 650m and 8 minutes (with sections at a gradient).
      Buses 1a and 51s stop near the King Edwards High School on Edgbaston Park Road opposite the University’s Main Entrance (Stop ID: nwmdtawg) around 350m from the building on a generally level route.
  • By Train View
    • From Birmingham New Street Station around six trains an hour call at University Station and take 8 - 10 minutes. The final destination for trains are Bromsgrove, Redditch, Hereford and Cardiff Central.
      Aston Webb Building is 600m, an 8 minute walk from the University Station across Campus (with extended sections at a gradient).
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

  • The interactive campus map and link to the mobility map are available here. The interactive map is also available on an app to download to your phone.https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/contact/directions/index.aspx.

Building Parking (Lower Ground)

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by Blue Badge holders and staff permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located in front of the Lower Ground Entrance.
    • 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 8 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 240cm x 380cm (7ft 10in x 12ft 6in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Lower Ground Entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Building Parking (Aston Webb Domes and Semi Circle West Ground Floor Car Park)

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by permit holders and Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located next to the main entrance to Aston Webb Block A.
    • 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) markings are faded.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 240cm x 500cm (7ft 10in x 16ft 5in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Aston Webb Domes and Semi Circle West main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user.
    • The car park surface is concrete.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (B Block External Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the car park on the lower ground floor.
    • There is ramped/sloped 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) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
    • The width of the door opening is 66cm (2ft 2in).
  • 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 double.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).

Entrance (Domes and Semi-Circle)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located along the Domes and Semi-Circle Corridor on the ground floor.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • 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 86cm (2ft 10in).
  • Comments View
    • There is a third set of doors with a width of 140cm that open towards you.
    • This can be seen in photograph 3.
    • There is a similar entrance on the lower ground floor which can be seen in photographs 4 and 5.

Entrance (Domes and Semi-Circle Second Floor)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located from the Domes and the Semi-Circle Side on the first floor.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a/are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • There is / are 9 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • 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 going up.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
    • There is a slight ramp, with no handrails, for access to Finance Office.
    • The ramp can be seen in photograph 1.
    • There are 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 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.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Counter (Student Fees and Enquiries)

  • The desk is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the A Block Ground floor Entrance.
  • Student Fees and Enquiries is located towards the rear of B Block on the ground floor.
  • Clear signage for the counter is not visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this counter.
  • The lighting levels in this area are good.
  • The reception counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested on 16/09/2020.
  • The hearing assistance system was not working at the time of testing.
  • Comments View
    • There are two counters located here.
    • A lower counter detailed above (photograph 1) and a higher counter at a height of 100cm (photograph 2).

Reception (Finance Reception)

  • The Finance Reception is located to your right on entrance.
  • The desk is 8m (8yd 2ft) from the B Block External Entrance.
  • Clear signage for the reception area is 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.
  • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
  • The desk is not staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, M, G and 1.
    • The stairs are located to the rear of B Block.
    • The stairs are approximately 35m from the B Block Ground Floor Entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • 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 left going up.
    • There is a landing.
    • There is an additional set of stairs between the LG , G and first floors to the rear of Block B.
  • Comments View
    • On the main staircase there is a landing between floors G and 1 on which are located rooms 117 -126.

Lift (B Block)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located off the corridor near to Block A.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG, M, G and 1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 600kg.
  • The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the B Block Ground Floor Entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 95cm (3ft 1in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 145cm x 95cm (4ft 9in x 3ft 1in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not 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 not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The highest controls are 130cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.
  • Comments View
    • On the first floor the lift is located between the B Block entrance door and a set 9 deep steps. The lift does not therefore provide level access to all of the first floor.
    • This lift serves as the main lift for the Aston Webb Building as a whole and not simply Block B.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located within the standard male toilets on the lower ground floor of the Great Hall Block.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Dome Entrance.
    • There is step-free access to 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 may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 220cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 3in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a push button 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 not an emergency alarm.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are not available in the toilet.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
    • 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).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side 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 95cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar accessible toile in the female standard toilets with a lateral transfer to the right. This toilet has not grab rail to the right on the transfer side. This can be seen in photograph 5.
    • There is a unisex accessible WC on the LG floor near the entrance from the car park.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located near the creative media centre on the lower ground floor of the Great Hall Block.
    • There is step-free access to the toilet(s), via lift.
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m from the Domes and Semi-Circle Lower Ground 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 not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.