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European Research Institute

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Lecture Theatres, Seminar Rooms, Offices, School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, Student Social Space, Innovation Centre.

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.
    • The building is located north of the University’s Edgbaston Campus; it’s not necessary to go onto campus to reach the building. The European Research Institute is reached from Pritchatts Road and has limited staff parking, including Blue Badge holder parking, on site. The nearest visitor parking is located at the North East Car Park off Pritchatts Road at B15 2SA which is 350m and a 4 minute walk from the building along a generally level route.
  • By Bus View
    • Nxbus numbers X20 Platinum, X21 Platinum and X22 Platinum run along Pritchatts Road from the city centre and stops 100m away from the building on Pritchatts Road, near the junction of Edgbaston Park Road, bus stop ID: nwmatgwg.
  • 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. The European Research Institute is 700m and a 10 minute walk from University Station along Vincent Drive and Pritchatts Road (generally level) or through the Green Heart on 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

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by staff permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located to the side and rear of the building.
    • 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 clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 250cm x 480cm (8ft 2in x 15ft 9in).
    • 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 40m (43yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are dropped kerbs.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • 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 front of the building.
    • 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) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 125cm (4ft 1in).
  • 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 175cm (5ft 9in).
  • 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.

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 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.

Lecture Theatre(s) (G51)

  • Directional and locational signage for the lecture theatre(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible.
  • The corridor outside the lecture theatre(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the lecture theatre(s).
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the lecture theatre(s).
  • The door(s) for the lecture theatre(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There are no designated spaces for wheelchair users within the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is ramped/sloped access to the designated spaces from an entrance.
  • There is space for an assistance dog.
  • There is step free access to the speaker's area at the front of the lecture theatre(s).
  • The height of the speaker's desk/table is 84cm.
  • The speaker's desk/table is not height adjustable.
  • There is not (staggered) tiered seating within the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is a visual fire alarm beacon in the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is not fixed furniture within the lecture theatre(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 68cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the lecture theatre(s).
  • The room does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Furniture can be moved to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
  • Floor coverings in the lecture theatre(s) are even with no trip hazards.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2 and 3.
    • The stairs are located to your right on entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 10m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell on all 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.
    • There is a similar staircase to the rear of the building which can be seen in photograph 4.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to your right on entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2 and 3.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on all floors.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1000kg.
  • The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 160cm x 140cm (5ft 3in x 4ft 7in).
  • 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 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 within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground, first and second floor.
  • Female standard toilet facilities are located on the ground, first and second floor..
  • Male standard toilet facilities are located on the ground, first and second floor..

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to your right on entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main 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 tactile and 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 does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 165cm x 165cm (5ft 5in x 5ft 5in).
    • 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 left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • 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) to the left of the toilet and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) to the right of the toilet 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.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • 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 wall which acts as a backrest.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • 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 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).
    • 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 push.
    • 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 93cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 123cm.
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is good.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Comments View
    • There is are accessible toilets in the same location on the first floor (photograph 3) and second floor (photograph 4).

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The male toilet is located to the rear of the atrium on the ground floor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 25m from the main 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 85cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
    • Lighting levels are good.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located within the standard toilet area on the ground floor.
  • There is not level access to the services from the shower facilities.