Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include the West Road Concert Hall, dressing rooms, The Robin Orr Recital Room, Lecture Rooms 1 - 5, the Pendlebury Library, the Ethno Musicology Room, the Cudworth Room, a recording studio, a computer room and staff offices.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- Sidgwick Site is located to the West of the Cambridge City Centre. It can be reached from the A10 via Hauxton Road, High Street, Trumpington Street, The Fen Causeway, Newham Road and Queen's Road.
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By Bus
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- There are bus stops located along West Road and Queen's Road.
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By Train
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- Cambridge train station is approximately 1.6 miles or a 25 minute walk from the Sidgwick Site.
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Useful Links
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- For coach and bus information.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Travel Line Bus information.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- The National Rail Enquiries Website.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- AccessAble Related Links View
Useful Information
- To see more information on West Road Concert Hall please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 335 184.
- Email: [email protected].
- Use these contact details to find out more about performances in the Concert Hall.
- To see more information on Disability Resource Centre please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 332 301.
- Email: [email protected].
- The Disability Resource Centre is located in Student Services Centre on Bene't Street, Cambridge, CB2 3PT.
- To see more information on Student Advice Centre please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 746 999.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Cambridge Libraries please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Accommodation Service please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 338 099.
- Email: [email protected].
- The accommodation service is located within Kellet Lodge, Tennis Court Road Cambridge CB2 1QJ. It is open from Monday to Friday 9am - 12:45pm and 2pm - 4:45pm.
Building Parking
- The building does have its own dedicated parking.
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Building Car Park
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- The car park can be used by staff and faculty visitors.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- The car park is located to the front of the main 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 not available.
- The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
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Site/Campus Car Parks
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- There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
- The name of the car park is West Road Car Park.
- The car park is located on the far side of the Old House.
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Public Car Parks
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- There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
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On Street Parking
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- Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are available.
- The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on West Road.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- The car park is for staff only, except at weekends and for performances, when two bays can be used by visitors on request.
- Visitors are allowed to park on the Sidgwick Site during evenings and weekends.
- The on street parking (photographs 5 - 7) is pay and display between 09:00 - 17:00 every day, maximum stay 4 hours. It is free for Blue Badge holders.
- There is also a staff only car park located at the rear of the main building off West Road (shown in photograph 8).
Site/Campus Car Park (West Road Car Park - Permit Holders Only)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located between the Faculty of Music and West Road Concert Hall and the Faculty of English.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Faculty of Music and West Road Concert Hall, the Faculty of English, the Faculty of Divinity and the Faculty of History.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
- There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 400cm x 485cm (13ft 1in x 15ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by staff and permit holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- Signs are not provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
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Car Park Access
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- There is ramped access to the car park from the Faculty of Music and West Road Concert Hall.
- This car park is not clearly signposted from the Faculty of Music and West Road Concert Hall.
- The nearest designated bay is 29m (31yd 2ft) from the Faculty of Music and West Road Concert Hall main entrance.
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Comments
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- All users, including Blude Badge holders, are required to have parking permits, available from the university.
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 main building, off the car park.
- 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 push pad activated.
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The width of the door opening is 107cm (3ft 6in).
Reception (Security / Ticket Desk)
- The Security / Ticket Desk is located in the foyer just inside the building.
- The desk is 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to this reception area.
- The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
- The reception desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
- The desk is not staffed.
- There is not a bell to attract attention.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
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- There is no cloakroom, but there is a coat hanging area on the far side of the concert hall area from the desk.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is step free access throughout the majority of the building.
- There is a steep ramp, with no handrails, for access to the Faculty Graduate Room at the far end of the library.
- The Faulty Graduate Room is on the ground floor of the Old House part of the building. There are 2 sets of double heavy doors either end of the ramp to access the room (shown in photographs 3 and 4).
- There are 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 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 moderate to good.
- This building does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
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- Photographs 9 and 10 show The Cudworth Room, located in the far left hand corner from the main entrance.
- Photograph 11 shows the Robin Orr Recital Room, located in the far right hand corner from the main entrance, past the Concert Hall. There is a small threshold at the entrance to this room (photograph 12).
Theatre (West Road Concert Hall)
- There are designated spaces for wheelchair users.
- Designated seating is located in at the front, just inside the entrance to the hall.
- Wheelchairs are left with you.
- It is 21m (22yd 2ft) from the designated seating area to the nearest accessible toilet.
- This venue does not provide audio described performances.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The hearing system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
- The rows suitable for hearing assistance systems are D - T.
- There is not a wheelchair to borrow.
- Concessions are not available.
- Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
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Comments
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- A companion can sit beside or behind you.
- There is also level access to the stage (photograph 4), back stage area (photograph 5) and dressing rooms (photograph 6).
- The fixed seats in rows D onwards have armrests both aides (photograph 7). The moveable seats in rows A - C do not have armrests (photograph 8).
- There is step free access to the whole of row D.
- Photograph 9 shows the East Balcony, accessed by the steps.
- Photograph 10 shows the entrance into the concert hall.
Other Floors (West Road Concert Hall)
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
- The stairs are located just beyond the ticket desk.
- The stairs are approximately 14m from the main entrance.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the stairwell on all floors.
- The lighting levels are bright.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The rear and the balconies can also be reached using the steps within the concert hall.
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Other
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- The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the rear of the concert hall and the east and west balconies and the production office.
Eating and Drinking (Bar)
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Location and Access
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- The following information is for the bar.
- The bar is located in the foyer area, to the left of the Security/Ticket desk as you face it.
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Service and Menus
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- There is a bar where drinks can be ordered.
- This area does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system .
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Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 124cm.
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Tables and Seating
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- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There are some tables which are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 66cm.
- There are also coffee tables, high tables and sofas.
- The surface height of the lowest table is 40cm.
- The surface height of the highest table is 1111cm.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- The type of flooring in this area is carpet.
- The lighting levels are good.
- The bar is only used when there are performances in the Concert Hall.
Lecture Theatre(s) (Lecture Room 2)
- 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 push pad activated.
- There are designated spaces for wheelchair users within the lecture theatre(s).
- The designated spaces for wheelchairs users are located at the back.
- There is level access to the designated seating from an entrance.
- There is not space for an assistance dog.
- There is not step free access to the speaker's area at the front of the lecture theatre(s).
- The speaker's area is located at front, accessed by the 8 medium steps leading down.
- The height of the speaker's desk/table is 74cm.
- The speaker's desk/table is not height adjustable.
- The height of the lectern is 97cm.
- The lectern is not height adjustable.
- There is (staggered) tiered seating within the lecture theatre(s).
- The steps to the (staggered) tiered seating do not have handrails.
- There is not a hearing assistance system for the lecture theatre(s).
- There is not 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 70cm.
- A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
- There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the lecture theatre(s).
- Floor coverings in the lecture theatre(s) are even with no trip hazards.
- This lecture room is located at the far end of the building from the Concert Hall, along the corridor to the right from the Library entrance.
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Comments
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- Lecture Room 1 is located next to Lecture Room 2 and has level access, no fixed furniture and no designated spaces (shown in photograph 8).
- Lecture Room 3 is located further along the corridor and around the corner, with level access and no fixed furniture.
- Lecture Rooms 4 and 5 are next to the Concert Hall and are level with no fixed furniture (shown in photographs 9 and 10).
Entrance (Pendlebury Library Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located in the front far left corner from the main entrance as you enter.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is one set of manual, heavy, double doors between the main entrance and the library entrance and this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 65cm (2ft 2in).
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Second Set of Doors
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- 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) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 102cm (3ft 4in).
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Comments
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- There are security barriers, 92cm wide, located just past the second door (shown in photograph 3).
- Photograph 4 shows the lockers available in the area between the two sets of doors.
Reception (Library Reception)
- The Library Reception is located just past the security barriers at the library entrance.
- The desk is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the library entrance.
- The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to this reception area.
- The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
- The reception desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
- The desk is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
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- There is a self service issue desk opposite reception, which is 91cm high with a touch screen 130cm high (shown in photograph 2).
Library (Pendlebury Library)
- This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
- This library does not have a regular supply of books in large print.
- This library does not have a regular supply of books in audio format.
- There is an ordering service.
- The library does not have computers with accessible software.
- Auxiliary aids are not available for computer users.
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Comments
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- E books are available by contacting the main University Library.
- The library catalogue computers are located on desks 102 cm high just past reception (photograph 2). However, there is a lowered desk, 72 cm high available in the Audio Room (photograph 3).
- Due to seating, there are some areas where the corridor is 70 cm wide (shown in photograph 4).
- The door leading into the Reading Room is 97cm wide (photograph 5). The desks here are 72 cm high.
- The Edward J. Dent Room, located between the 2 sets of doors at the library entrance, contains microfilm and a viewer, on a desk 72cm high (photograph 7) and early music reference books. It can also be used as a study area and teaching room (photograph 8).
Outside Access (Old House Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the Old House, opposite the main entrance.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 134cm (4ft 5in).
- 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 double (with one leaf locked).
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 57cm (1ft 10in).
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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 57cm (1ft 10in).
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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.
- The ramp is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- The width of the ramp is 89cm (2ft 11in).
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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 3 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 right going up the step(s).
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Comments
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- This entrance gives step free access to the Board Room and the Custodian's Office on the ground floor.
- Students go to the Custodian's Office to book rooms, pick up keys and also some instruments.
- There is another entrance that leads directly to the Custodian's Office on the side of the Old House. It is accessed by 3 steps (as shown in photograph 9).
Other Floors (Old House Stairs)
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1 and 2.
- The stairs are located just inside the Old House entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 3m from the Old House entrance.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on the second floor.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- There is a landing.
- There are also staff only stairs located in the Faculty Graduate Room, at the far end of the library (shown in photograph 6).
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Other
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- The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the Faculty Office, the West Road Concert Hall Office, Research Staff Offices and the Cambridge Schools Classics Project.
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Comments
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- The stairs between the ground and first floors only have a handrail on the right (photographs 1 - 3). This handrail does not cover the bottom step (photograph 1).
- The first flight between the first and second floors has handrails both sides (photograph 4), and then on the right only after that (photograph 5).
Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
- Accessible toilet facilities are located to the right as you face the security/ticket desk and Concert Hall.
- Female and male standard toilet facilities are located to the right as you face the security/ticket desk and Concert Hall, and also along the corridor to the left of the desk by the bar (shown in the photographs)..
- Shared standard toilet facilities are located in the Concert Hall dressing room area, behind the stage..
Toilet with Adaptations
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located at the end of the corridor to the right as you face the ticket desk and Concert Hall.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 18m (19yd 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 pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 89cm (2ft 11in).
- 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 175cm x 195cm (5ft 9in x 6ft 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 right.
- The lateral transfer space is 94cm (3ft 1in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
- 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 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 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 sanitary and general waste (with no lid) 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 cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
- 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 not 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 right hand side of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- There is a handheld soap dispenser available.
- 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 height of the towel dispenser is 91cm.
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is medium.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.
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Baby Changing Facilities
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- Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- There is a flip down baby change table available.
- The height of the baby change table is 92cm.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located at the end of the corridor to the right as you face the ticket desk and Concert Hall.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 18m 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.
- It was not possible to access the female toilet.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are good.