Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include a bar serving hot and cold food and drinks with various seating areas.
There are 2 pool tables within the bar. - Origins Bar and Bistro is located on the first floor of Darwin College.
- Darwin College link (new tab) - click here.
Getting Here (Getting to Darwin College/ Origins Bar and Bistro)
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By Road
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- The building is on the east side of the campus located off Darwin Road.
This is just over a 1 mile north of Canterbury City Centre.
The building has its main entrance facing towards the car parks - Darwin and Rutherford.
It can also be entered from the side near Missing Link. - There is step-free sloped access from the car parks to the main entrance of Darwin.
Darwin car park is for Blue Badge holders and university Pink permit holders only.
The nearest car park for other users/ visitors is the Central Visitor Car Park, to the west of the Gulbenkian/Colyer-Fergusson Buildings.
This is reached using Library Road off Giles Lane and then taking the footpath around Colyer-Fergusson to the central campus area.
- The building is on the east side of the campus located off Darwin Road.
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By Bus
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- There are frequent Unibus services linking the University campus with the centre of Canterbury and Canterbury East and West train stations.
The nearest bus stop is on Darwin Road within 150 metres named Darwin College which is served by Uni1 and Uni2.
- There are frequent Unibus services linking the University campus with the centre of Canterbury and Canterbury East and West train stations.
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By Train
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- The nearest train station is Canterbury West, to the north of the city centre.
This is on the line from London to Kent, including Ashford International.
There is step-free access into the station building.
There is step-free access to both platforms by lift.
Staff are available to assist with portable ramps between the platform and the train.
There are buses linking the city centre with the University campus, with stops about 5 minutes away from the station.
- The nearest train station is Canterbury West, to the north of the city centre.
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Useful Links
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- The University parking map shows the location of the car parks on campus.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- The Stagecoach Unibus website shows the route maps and details of the timetable and pricing.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- The National Rail website describes the access and facilities at Canterbury West Station and has links to live departure and arrival information.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Useful Information (University of Kent)
- For information on Visiting the University please click here (opens new tab)
- To see more information on Student Support and Wellbeing please click here (opens new tab)
- Telephone Number: 01227 823 158.
- Email: [email protected]
- To see more information on Disability Support please click here (opens new tab)
- To see more information on Admissions Procedures please click here (opens new tab)
- Telephone Number: 01227 764000.
- To see more information on Canterbury Accommodation please click here (opens new tab)
- Telephone Number: 01227 766660.
- Email: [email protected]
- The Accommodation is located in Tanglewood, on Giles Lane.
Opening Times
- Monday 11:00 - 22:00.
- Tuesday 11:00 - 22:00.
- Wednesday 11:00 - 22:00.
- Thursday 11:00 - 22:00.
- Friday 11:00 - 22:00.
- Saturday 12:00 - 23:00.
- Sunday 12:00 - 22:00.
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Comments
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- Food is served from 12-9pm Monday to Friday and 3-9pm on weekends.
Building Parking (Darwin Car Park)
- The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
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Building Car Park
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- The car park can be used by permit holders, Blue Badge holders, staff permit holders and student permit holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- The car park is located off Darwin Road and outside the main entrance to Darwin.
- 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 1 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted and have markings which are faded.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 235cm x 480cm (7ft 9in x 15ft 9in).
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- The nearest designated bay is 44m (48yd 4in) from the Darwin's 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 slopes/ramps.
- The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- The Blue Badge bay is on a steep slope from the main parking area onto the path leading up to Darwin's main entrance.
The bay has a marked area 90cm wide to the right-hand side. The bay is shown in photographs 3 and 4.
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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.
- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car park.
- The name of the car park is Rutherford.
- The car park is located off Darwin Road to the south-east side of campus.
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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 marked on street Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are available.
- The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Darwin Road.
- The standard parking spaces on Darwin Road are not individually spaced. To park here you need a Pink zone permit from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. The spaces are shown in photograph 6.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Site/Campus Car Park (Rutherford Car Park)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located outside Rutherford College near Darwin College.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Rutherford College & Annex.
- 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 signposted and have markings which are faded.
- There is/are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 220cm x 450cm (7ft 3in x 14ft 9in).
- 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 Blue Badge holders, permit holders, staff permit holders and student permit holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
- Signs are clearly presented.
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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/sloped or stepped access to the car park from the Darwin College.
- This car park is not clearly signposted from the Darwin College.
- The nearest designated bay is 145m (158yd 1ft) from the Darwin College main entrance.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 112cm (3ft 8in).
- A key card is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the card reader/lock is 140cm (4ft 7in).
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 154cm (5ft 1in).
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 164cm (5ft 5in).
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Ramp/Slope
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- 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 not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
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Comments
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- There is signage indicating the services in the building by the main entrance shown in photograph 4.
Other Floors (Foyer Staircase)
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
- The stairs are located in front of the main entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 9m from the main entrance.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The lighting levels are good.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
- There is a landing.
Other Floors (Main Staircase)
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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 the right of reception in the foyer.
- The stairs are approximately 12m from the main entrance.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell on all floors.
- The lighting levels are low to moderate.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
- There is a landing.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the left of the main entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2.
- Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
- The weight limit for the lift is 630KG.
- The lift is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) 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 105cm x 142cm (3ft 5in x 4ft 8in).
- 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.
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Comments
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- This lift gives access to the main floor levels, but not the accommodation and offices on the half-levels off the wings.
Outside Access (Café Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the first floor opposite the main staircase and close to the lift.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 79cm (2ft 7in).
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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 79cm (2ft 7in).
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Comments
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- There is the connecting to door to the main stairs for the Darwin Building (shown in photograph 3) and the male standard toilets between the entrance doors.
Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the first floor of Darwin College, down the corridor to the side of the bar.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
- The door(s) is/are push pad activated.
- The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
- The width of the door opening is 91cm (2ft 12in).
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Comments
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- The push-pads are 103cm high.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does play background music.
- Music is played during opening hours.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Comments
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- There are two pool tables within the bar.
Eating and Drinking (Origins Bar and Bistro)
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Location and Access
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- The bar is located on the first floor of the Darwin Building.
- There is step-free access, via lift, to the bar.
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Service and Menus
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- Tables can be booked in advance.
- There is a bar where food and drink can be ordered and full table service available via online app.
- Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
- Menu types include; handheld menus.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
- Takeaway cups are available.
- Adapted cups are not available.
- Adapted cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- This area does play background music.
- Background music is played at all times.
- There is not a hearing assistance system .
- There is a portable card machine available for payment.
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Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 110cm.
- The height of the lowered section at the counter is 78cm.
- There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered section of the counter.
- There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
- The type of flooring in this area is laminate.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Tables and Seating
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- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 74cm.
- There are also coffee tables and high tables.
- The surface height of the lowest table is 48cm.
- The surface height of the highest table is 114cm.
- 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 laminate.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The lighting levels are good.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
- The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located in the corridor just outside the bar, to the left of the accessible entrance.
Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Left Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located on the first floor down the corridor for Darwin boardroom close to foyer stairs.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the lift.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet, via lift.
- 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 inwards (automatically).
- The door is push pad or push button activated.
- The push pad or push button is 100cm from floor level.
- The door is locked by a push button or pad.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- 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 171cm x 338cm (5ft 7in x 11ft 1in).
- The accessible toilet does 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 180cm (5ft 11in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal 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 high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- 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 nappy/incontinence items bin 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 placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- 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 height of the toilet roll holder is 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).
- The height of the wash basin is 74cm (2ft 5in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides 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 a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 94cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 89cm (2ft 11in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The male toilet is located in between the two entrance doors at the main bar entrance.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 14m from the lift.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
- There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 89cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are good.
- There are no female toilets within the bar but there are some in the corridor just outside the accessible entrance.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located to the left of the main entrance on the ground floor.
- There is ramped/sloped access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 13m from the main entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
- There is a/are horizontal wall mounted rail(s) on the left as you face the toilet.
- There is a/are vertical wall mounted rail(s) on the left as you face the toilet.
- The information above relates to the female toilet. There is a different configuration of rails in the male toilet.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 86cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
- The male toilet's ambulant cubicle has the horizontal rails to the right-hand side. The male toilet is shown in photograph 1 and the female toilet in photograph 2. There are similar male and female toilets on first floor close to main staircase, however these have no ambulant cubicles. These are shown in photographs 6-10.
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Toilet Facilities 2
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- The female toilet is located on the landing of the main staircase between G and 1.
- There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 16m from the main entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 93cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
- These toilets are shown in photographs 11-16. As well as the foyer stairs there are two manual, single doors to enter the toilets both within lips shown in photographs 12 and 13.