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Aston Webb Domes and Semi-Circle

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT

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Access Guide

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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 staff car parks located throughout the campus; all require a staff permit.
      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 1 mile and a 20 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 (with 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 650m, a walk of around 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 University station across Campus (with extended sections at a gradient).
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

  • For the interactive campus map and link to the mobility map please click here.

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 (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the West of Aston Webb opposite the Frankland building on the ground floor.
    • There is step free 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) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).

Outside Access (Lower Ground Floor)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the lower ground car park.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in).
  • 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.
  • Comments View
    • The door opening push pad shown in the photographs on the wall between the first and second door is not in use as a new automatic sensor door opening system had been installed at the time of the survey (July 2023).

Outside Access (Door to Security Courtyard)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the main corridor.
    • 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) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.

Entrance (Great Hall Block)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right of the entrance foyer.
    • 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) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).
  • Comments View
    • There are similar entrances on the lower ground (photograph 2) and the first floor (photograph 3).

Entrance (Domes and Semi-Circle Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the end of the main corridor.
    • There is ramped/sloped or 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 136cm (4ft 6in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The width of the ramp is 102cm.
  • 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 5 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar entrance with doors that open towards you located on the lower ground floor which can be seen in photograph 4.

Entrance (Study Area)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the lower ground floor.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 164cm (5ft 5in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 156cm (5ft 1in).

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • 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 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.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G and 1.
    • The stairs are located along the Semi-Circle Corridor.
    • The stairs are approximately 15m from the Aston Webb Semi-Circle (West 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 both sides.
    • There is a landing.

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.

Lift (Senate Chamber)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located on the second floor next to the Senate Chamber.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 400kg.
  • The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 150cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 11in).
  • 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 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 good.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to your right on entering the building via the lower ground entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the lower ground 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 twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • 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 poor.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 270cm (4ft 11in x 8ft 10in).
    • The accessible toilet does not 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • 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 is fully functional.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 138cm and 144cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is 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.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (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) cannot 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 74cm (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 can 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 95cm (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 just inside the lower ground floor entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 3m from the lower ground floor 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 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.