Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include staff offices meeting rooms and storage facilities for the School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences.
- Https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/gees/about/index.aspx
- Biosciences link (new tab) - click here.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- 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 ?yover, 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.
All Blue Badge holders can park on Campus (without a permit) and must use the intercom to Security to pass through the security barriers at each entrance. There are no Blue Badge spaces near the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science; the nearest are available on University Road West and or located behind the Murray Learning Centre, behind the Library or near to the Old Gym on the Ring Road South.
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).
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By Bus
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- 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 0.3 mile, a walk of around 6 minutes along Westgate (with extended sections at a gradient).
Alternatively, Buses X20 , X21 and X22 from the Bus Mall, Moor Street Queensway and Smallbrook Queensway travel along Pritchatts Road, and stop near the University North Gate, Stop ID: nwmatgwg, 0.3 mile and a walk of around 7 minutes from the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, through the Green Heart of campus (with extended sections at a gradient).
- 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 0.3 mile, a walk of around 6 minutes along Westgate (with extended sections at a gradient).
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By Train
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- 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 School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science is a 5 minute walk from the University Station along Westgate (with extended sections at a gradient).
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Useful Links
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- National Express West Midlands website.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- National Rail Enquiries.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
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 not have its own dedicated parking.
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Public Car Parks
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- The nearest visitor parking is located at the North East Car Park off Pritchatts Road at B15 2SA which is 0.4 miles and a 10 minute walk from the building.
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On Street Parking
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- Clearly signed and/or marked on street Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 200cm x 550cm (6ft 7in x 18ft 1in).
- The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on University Road West.
- Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are not available.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped 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) is / are heavy.
- 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 2cm or below.
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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) both ways.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in).
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
- The ramp/slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
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Step(s)
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- There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
- The step(s) is / are located to the right as you face the entrance.
- There is / are 6 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 height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The handrails are on the left going up the step(s).
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
- There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
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Getting Around
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- 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 high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all corridors.
- The lighting levels are good.
- This building does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, 3, 4.
- The stairs are located to your left on entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 12m 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 is a similar set of stairs to the right of the building which can be seen in photograph 2.
Lift (Main Lift)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in the main entrance foyer.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
- The weight limit for the lift is 630 kg.
- The lift is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 135cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 5in).
- 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 not 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 not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The highest controls are 125cm from the floor.
- The lighting level in the lift is bright.
Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
- Accessible toilet facilities are located on all floors of the building.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located on the ground and third floors of the building.
- Female standard toilet facilities are located on the first, second and fourth floors of the building.
- Parent and baby changing facilities are located on the ground floor of the building.
Toilet with Adaptations (G.30)
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located down the corridor to the right of the building on the ground floor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) 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 written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is heavy.
- 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 high.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 245cm (5ft 7in x 8ft).
- 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 98cm (3ft 3in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a female 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 low.
- 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 low.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is not an emergency alarm.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- 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 backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- 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 low.
- 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 86cm.
- 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).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is low.
- There is not a hand dryer.
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Comments
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- There are similar accessible toilets in the same location on the second, third and fourth floors.
- The second floor toilet can be seen in photograph 4.
- The third floor toilet can be seen in photograph 5.
- The fourth floor toilet can be seen in photograph 6.
Toilet with Adaptations (1.30)
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located to the right of the building on the first floor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main lift.
- 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 high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is heavy.
- 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 high.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 180cm x 200cm (5ft 11in x 6ft 7in).
- 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 117cm (3ft 10in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a female 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 high.
- 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 low.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- 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 female sanitary disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 186cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- 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 backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 117cm (3ft 10in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- 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 low.
- 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 86cm.
- 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).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is low.
- There is not a hand dryer.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Toilet Facilities
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- The male toilet is located to your right on entrance.
- 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 high.
- 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 78cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
- Lighting levels are good.
- This toilet can be seen in photographs 1 and 2.
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Toilet Facilities 2
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- The male toilet is located on the third floor of the building.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 20m from the main lift.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- 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 78cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
- Lighting levels are good.
- This toilet can be seen in photographs 3 and 4.
Standard Shower
- Shower facilities are available.
- There is not level access to the services from the shower facilities.
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Comments
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- There is a baby change in the shower area at a height of 80cm this can be seen in photograph 3.