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Margaret Bondfield Hall of Residence

University of Northampton, Waterside Campus, University Drive, Northampton, NN1 5PH

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Access Guide

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Introduction

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The Waterside Campus is located towards the southeast of Northampton and can be accessed off the A428.
    • The closest car parks to our campus are St John’s Car Park (NN1 1HA) or Midsummer Meadows Car Park (NN1 5NX). Both of these are 5-10 minutes away from the campus.
      These are pay and display car parks and prices can be checked via the Council website.
      Spaces are available at Waterside Campus for Blue Badge holders.
      If you require an accessible car parking space, please contact your university host to book a space for you.
      A Park and Ride system runs from the west side of Northampton – the car park is a short distance from M1 junctions 15a and 16. 
      The Uno buses accept cash and contactless payments on board.
      University Park and Ride services are available with parking at the Park and Ride site is free and a return journey is a reduced rate of £1.20 for pre-arranged university visitors and interview applicants when you show your interview email.
      The address for the Park and Ride is: Claret Car Park and Saints Car Park, Edgar Mobbs Way, Sixfields, Northampton, NN5 5JR.
      Please see the Uno Bus timetables for bus times.  The car park is open from 6.00am – 10.30pm.
      It’s approximately a 2.3 mile journey to the University, taking 15 minutes on average.
  • By Bus View
    • National Express and other coach services operate from Victoria Street (please check with your operator to confirm) which is located directly beside the Upper Mounts car park in the town centre.
      Local buses operate from Northgate Bus Station, just off the Market Square in the town centre.
      The Uno 19 and 19A depart from the Drapery to Waterside every 12 minutes
  • By Train View
    • Northampton Railway Station is one hour by train from both London Euston and Birmingham New Street. 
      The number 18 bus connects the train station to campus Monday – Friday (at the weekends, visitors should walk to the Drapery and catch the 19/19A service to Waterside).

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by Blue Badge holders and staff permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located to the rear left of the 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 available.
    • There is/are 5 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 240cm x 470cm (7ft 10in x 15ft 5in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the 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 uneven surfaces.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • 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 Site Campus Car Park 4.
    • The car park is located to the west of the Creative Hub building.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • For free Blue Badge parking please email your car registration and a photo of your Blue Badge to [email protected] within 24 hours of parking.

Site/Campus Car Park (3)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located towards the west of the building.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are The Engine Shed.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac and block paving.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
    • There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 360cm x 480cm (11ft 10in x 15ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by visitors, Blue Badge holders and permit holders.
    • Parking charges apply for all except Blue Badge holders.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • Payment can be made by phone.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is level access to the car park from the campus.
    • This car park is clearly signposted from the campus.
    • The nearest designated bay is 129m (141yd 3in) from the Engine Shed.
  • Comments View
    • Car Park 3 is also used for guests of Sunley Hotel (pre-booked) and student residents at Waterside (permit holders).
    • For free Blue Badge parking please email your car registration and a photo of your Blue Badge to [email protected] within 24 hours of parking.

Site/Campus Car Park (4)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located towards the west of the building.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are The Creative Hub.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac and block paving.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 240cm x 480cm (7ft 10in x 15ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by visitors and Blue Badge 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.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • Payment can be made by phone.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is stepped access to the car park from the campus.
    • This car park is clearly signposted from the campus.
  • Comments View
    • For free Blue Badge parking please email your car registration and a photo of your Blue Badge to [email protected] within 24 hours of parking.

Outside Access

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the south side of the building.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • 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) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar entrance on the north side of the building as shown in photograph 2.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • 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 good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
    • The stairs are located just inside the entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 5m from the North 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 good.
    • 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.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the rear of the hall.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 675kg.
  • The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) 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 120cm x 140cm (3ft 11in x 4ft 7in).
  • 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 has a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does 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.

Accommodation

  • Auxiliary Aids - General View
    • Some of the rooms have auxiliary aids for people with sensory impairments.
    • Available auxiliary aids include flashing alarms.
    • Flashing fire alarms are available on request.
    • The accommodation does not provide other auxiliary aids for people with mobility impairments.
    • Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with residents in standard rooms.
  • Ground Floor Rooms View
    • Ground floor rooms do have level access.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.
  • Standard Rooms on Other Floors View
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors can be accessed by lift.
    • There is level access to standard rooms on other floors.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to your left on exiting the lift on the first floor.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 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 tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • 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 good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 250cm (5ft 7in x 8ft 2in).
    • 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 89cm (2ft 11in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin and a waste disposal 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 good.
    • 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 good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • 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 lid) disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 104cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is 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 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • 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 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is good.
    • 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 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 good.
    • 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 110cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 108cm.
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is good.
    • There is not a hand dryer.