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17 Mill Lane

University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX

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Access Guide

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Overview

Parking (17 Mill Lane)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the rear left of the building, off Mill Lane.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 250cm (width) x 488cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 135cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 6m from Entrance (Rear - Ramped/Platform Lift).
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access, a platform lift and manual doors.
    • The platform lift has manual doors.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors, Blue Badge holders, permit holders and staff permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free level, with very slight slopes.
  • 17 Mill Lane has three entrances.
    The Main Entrance has stepped access and single manual doors.
    The rear entrance (stepped) has stepped access and a single manual door.
    The rear entrance (ramped/platform lift) has a steep ramp, bypassed by a platform lift, and a push-pad activated single automatic door.
    All three entrances provide access to the ground floor.
  • The Main Entrance is signed as "17 Mill Lane Main Entrance"; while neither of the rear entrances are named or signed.
  • The rear entrance (ramped/platform lift) provides step-free level access to reception and all areas of the ground floor.
  • The Main Entrance has stepped access and single manual doors.
    The rear entrance (stepped) has stepped access and a single manual door.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the overwhelming majority of the building on all floors.
  • On the first floor, there is one clearly-marked step to access the standard male and female toilets in the centre of the building, along with Office Location F24. This can be bypassed by a pair of steep ramps. There are a further two clearly-marked steps to access the standard female toilets in the centre of the building, along with Office Location F24, located along the corridor beyond the standard male toilets. Within these standard male toilets, there is one unmarked step up into the cubicle.
  • On the second floor, there is a slight ramp to access the standard female toilets in the centre of the building.
  • The overwhelming majority of flooring on circulation routes consists of low pile carpet; however there are small areas of shiny vinyl flooring outside the toilet and standard shower facilities in the right wing of the building on the first floor and second floor.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted and some overhead wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building, however this is not consistent in its style and presentation.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor and first floor.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located in the centre of the first floor.
    • The female toilet facilities are located in the centre of the second floor.
    • The shared toilet facilities are located to the left of the building on the ground floor, and in the right wing of the building on the first floor and second floor.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located in the right wing of the building on the first floor and second floor.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the western side of the courtyard between Mill Lane, Silver Street and Trumpington Street, opposite the rear of the Pitt Building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There are 7 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 118cm.
  • The key card reader is only necessary to use for out of hours access.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 120cm.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The second door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 90cm.
  • The second door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (Rear - Ramped/Platform Lift)

  • This entrance is located to the rear left of the building, leading in from the car park off Mill Lane.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access via lift at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with a handrail on the left going up.
  • The platform lift bypasses this steep ramp.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 93cm.
  • There is a buzzer at a height of 95cm.
  • There is a buzzer that can be pressed if you require assistance, which alerts a member of staff.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 93cm.
  • The width of the opening is 81cm.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 90cm.
  • The key fob/card reader automatically operates the automatic door.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (Rear - Stepped)

  • This entrance is located to the rear left of the building, leading in from the car park off Mill Lane.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There are 6 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a single additional medium-height step on the threshold of the door.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 118cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 77cm.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 118cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift (Platform - Rear Entrance)

  • The lift surveyed is located outside the rear - ramped/platform lift entrance.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the rear - ramped/platform lift entrance is 2m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a high visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 100cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 96cm (width) x 141cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Since this lift is outside, lighting levels may vary depending on the time of day and weather.

Reception (By Main Entrance)

  • The reception is located immediately ahead as you enter through the Main Entrance, or along the corridor and to the right by the lift as you enter through the rear entrance.
  • The distance from the rear entrance is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has manual doors and narrow walkways.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 82cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
  • All manual doors en route to the reception from the rear entrance are permanently held open.

Lift (Main Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located in the centre of the building.
  • The distance from the rear entrance is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access, manual doors and narrow walkways.
  • Basement, ground, 1 and 2 (basement is for maintenance staff only) are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift does not have a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 78cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 109cm (width) x 79cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a medium visual contrast.
  • None of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • All manual doors en route to the lift from the rear entrance are permanently held open. The lift does have a visual floor indicator, but it was not working when the lift was surveyed (July 2024).

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the centre of the building.
  • The ground floor, first floor and second floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 20cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Most of the stairs have handrails on both sides, however in some places, there is a handrail on the right going up only.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left of Building - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the front left of the building, at the back of the faculty office area.
    • The distance from the Rear Entrance (Ramped/Platform Lift) is 13m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a platform lift, a steep ramp or slope, manual doors and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 151cm (width) x 212cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 85cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 87cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 120cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 105cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 96cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Right of Building - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the right wing of the building, to the right and straight ahead as you exit the main lift on the first floor.
    • The distance from the main lift is 22m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift, manual doors and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 148cm (width) x 300cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 81cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a wall sensor flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 92cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a sensor tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 80cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 140cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 90cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 169cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.