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Strangeways Research Laboratory

2 Worts' Causeway, Cambridge, CB1 8RN

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • The Strangeways Research Laboratory is a very large building with four floors.
    • There are two main lifts.
    • One is in the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology area and goes to the basement, first and second floors
    • The other lift is to the rear of the building and goes to the ground, first and second floors.
    • There are six staircases within the building.
    • The floors are signed as the Basement, Ground, First and Second floors.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
    • The venue has its own car park.
    • The nearest train station is Cambridge.
  • Related Access Guides View

Getting Inside

  • There are differing approaches to the various entrances of the building.
  • Most entrances have level approaches from the car park situated around the building.
  • The loading bay entrance has a level approach from the loading bay. From the road it has a steep slope on approach.
  • The Strangeways Laboratory has 9 entrances for the building.
  • Of these entrances the rear entrance is the only entrance in general use that provides step-free access via ramp to the rear part of the ground floor. The entrance has a manual door.
  • There is step-free access to the front area of the ground floor and via the loading bay entrance, from the loading bay. This entrance has two sets of manual double doors both of which have one door locked.
  • The main entrance has signage for the Strangeways Research Laboratory.
  • The loading bay entrance has signage for Strangeways Research Laboratory Departments of Biochemistry and Electron Microscopy.
  • The other entrances are not signed.
  • The rear entrance provides ramped access to the rear part of the building on the ground floor.
  • The loading bay entrance provides step-free access to the front parts of the building on the ground floor.
  • There is an entrance into the rear of the building off the garden which has a manual single door and is step-free. All other entrances have stepped access to access the building and are situated around the building.
  • The main entrance is located at the front of the building off the car park opposite the Strangeways Lodge and has two steps to access it.
  • There are multiple entrances off the garden which are stepped.
  • There is a stepped entrance towards the rear of the building.
  • Step-free access to the rear of the building on the ground floor, first floor and the second is only available via the rear entrance.
  • Step-free access to the front of the building on the ground floor and all floors of the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology is only available via the loading bay entrance.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the ground floor of the building by the use of various entrances.
  • There are four steps with a handrail to the right going up along the main corridor in the centre of the building. There is no step-free internal access between the front and rear of the building.
  • There is a small steep slope along the main corridor towards the front of the building.
  • There is a steep ramp with a handrail on the right going up towards the centre of the building on the ground floor.
  • There is a slight ramp near the main lift towards the rear of the building with handrails on both sides.
  • There is a set of two 18cm steps to access the main corridor from the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology lift on the first floor. There is no step-free access to the first floor areas located towards the front of the building.
  • On the first floor there are also three separate 20cm steps to access the front of the building from the main corridor. Beyond which there are two 15cm steps to access rooms 23-29.
  • There is also a set of three 16cm steps to access rooms 46-49 on the first floor with an additional three steps to access the Honor Fell Room.
  • The basement floor can only be accessed step-free via the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology lift and only provides step-free access to the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology on the first floor. There are stepped level changes from the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology lift to access the other parts of the first floor towards the front of the building.
  • Step-free access to the first floor at the rear of the building and the second floor is only available via the rear lift.
  • There are various floor surfaces along the circulation routes, some of which are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating available.
  • Overhead and wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in some of the corridors.
  • Many doorways in the building along circulation routes have a width of less then 100cm.
  • Many of the corridors have widths less than 120cm.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male step-free standard toilet facilities are located throughout the ground and first floors.
    • The female step-free standard toilet facilities are located throughout the ground and first floors.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located to the rear of the building on the ground floor.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the building.
    • 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 490cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 125cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 10m from the rear entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors and staff permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Rear)

  • This entrance is located towards the rear of the building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 100cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 80cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (Loading Bay)

  • This entrance is located off the loading bay.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 132cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 64cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 100cm.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors, however one door is locked.
  • The locked door can be opened on request .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 64cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 100cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located to your right on entrance.
  • The distance from main entrance is 2m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has uneven surfaces.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 100cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 72cm.
  • The reception has a television.
  • 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 not 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 without armrests.

Lift (Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology)

  • The lift surveyed is located in the middle of the building in the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology area.
  • The distance from Loading bay entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The basement, ground and first floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1275kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 110cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 120cm (width) x 235cm (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.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.
  • Step-free access to this lift is only available via the loading bay entrance.
  • This lift provides the only step-free access to the basement of the building.
  • The lift provides the only step-free access to the first floor area of the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology area. The first floor areas towards the front of the building can be accessed via this lift however there are stepped level changes on the first floor.
  • It does not provide access to the first floor at the rear of the building - that can only be accessed via the rear lift.

Lift (Rear)

  • The lift surveyed is located towards the rear of the building.
  • The distance from Rear entrance is 25m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has a slight ramp or slope.
  • The ground, first and second floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 675kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 140cm (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.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • This lift only accesses the rear of the building on the first floor and provides the only step-free access to the second floor.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located next to the main reception.
  • The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 17 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 between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology - Shared - Right Side Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology area on the ground floor.
    • The distance from Loading Bay entrance is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium 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 163cm (width) x 215cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 95cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 86cm 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 lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 90cm 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 122cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 175cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor Rear - Shared - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located towards the rear of the building on the ground floor.
    • The distance from the rear entrance is 25m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a slight ramp or slope.
    • There is step-free access via ramp 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 86cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 150cm (width) x 175cm (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 70cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-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 50cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • 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 97cm 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 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 103cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 108cm 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 have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.