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Charles Darwin Building

St John's Campus, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include the Institute of Science and the Environment - the Science Teaching Laboratory, Training Room, Research Laboratories and staff offices.
  • This building is linked internally to the Edward Elgar Building on the ground floor.
  • There are several other car parks available on the St John's Campus as well the ones detailed in this guide. Please see the St John's Campus Car Parks guide for more information.
  • Edward Elgar link (new tab) - click here.
  • St John's Campus Car Park's link (new tab) - click here.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The St John's Campus is located in the North West of the city of Worcester, west of the River Severn.
      From the M5 take Junction 7 and exit the roundabout onto the A44, signposted Worcester and Evesham. Proceed along the A44.
      At the next roundabout take the first exit onto the A440, signposted Malvern and Worcs (W).
      At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit, continuing to follow the A440, signposted Leominster, Hereford, Malvern and Worcester (W).
      Proceed along the A440 to the next roundabout, taking the 2nd exit, continuing along the A440 signposted Leominster, Hereford, Malvern and Worcester (W).
      Continue along the A440 to the next roundabout.
      Take the 3rd exit onto the A449 signposted Worcester (West).
      Proceed along the A449 for 1.8 miles.
      At the roundabout take the 1st exit onto St John's (A44).
      After 130m turn right onto Henwick Road (B4206).
      Proceed along Henwick Road for 0.7 miles.
      St John's Campus is on the left.
    • There are several car parks around the St John’s Campus, car park M (Long Stay) is the largest and cheapest car park.
      A car displaying a Blue Badge will not be charged.
      Please see building guides for more information about campus car parks.
  • By Bus View
    • The number 31 operated by First travel connects the St John's Campus to the City Centre Bus Station and City Campus.
      The bus stops on St John's Campus are located outside the Students' Union building and near Severn gate.
      The First bus 31 service runs from Worcester bus station to St John's Campus between 07:10 and 18.35 Monday to Friday.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest station is Worcester Foregate Street. From the station, exit onto Foregate Street.
      Turn left and head south on Foregate Street.
      Cross Sansome Street at the pedestrian crossing and continue along The Foregate.
      Take the next right onto Angel Street.
      Angel Street is a pedestrianised street.
      Proceed along Angel Street for approximately 0.2 miles to Crowngate Shopping Centre.
      The Bus station is located beneath the shopping centre.
      The number 31 bus departs from Stand E. Alternatively taxis are available from outside the station.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking (Car Park N)

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by staff and permit holders.
    • Parking charges apply for all except permit and Blue Badge holders.
    • The car park is located in front of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • There is/are 3 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 300cm x 500cm (9ft 10in x 16ft 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 Science Teaching Laboratories 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 block paving.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • The name of the car park is Car Park R.
    • The car park is located in front of the Sports Centre.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are not available.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Site/Campus Car Park (R)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located by the Sports Centre.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Sports Cetre.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The maximum height is 210cm (6ft 11in).
    • 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 370cm x 550cm (12ft 2in x 18ft 1in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by anybody.
    • Parking charges apply for all except permit and Blue Badge holders.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment machines are located close to the Blue Badge parking bays.
    • There is not 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 cannot 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 sloped access to the car park from the Sports Centre.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the Sports Centre.
    • The nearest designated bay is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the Sports Centre.

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:00 - 22:00.
  • Tuesday 07:00 - 22:00.
  • Wednesday 07:00 - 22:00.
  • Thursday 07:00 - 22:00.
  • Friday 07:00 - 22:00.
  • Saturday 07:00 - 22:00.
  • Sunday 07:00 - 22:00.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building on the right side.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 140cm (4ft 7in).
    • 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.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 195cm (6ft 5in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.

Outside Access (Science Teaching Laboratories Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building by car park N.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • 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 single.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.

Entrance (Edward Elgar to Charles Darwin)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right side of the building.
    • 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) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in).

Reception

  • Building Reception is located immediately beyond the main entrance.
  • The desk is 3m (3yd 10in) 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 medium.
  • The reception desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
  • The desk is not staffed.
  • There is not a bell to attract attention.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is not signed.
  • Staff are not trained to use the hearing system.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.

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 and pictorial 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 varied.
    • This building does not play background music.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • The stairs are located immediately beyond the first floor entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 3m from the first floor entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, light, double doors to access the stairwell on the first floor.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • 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 right after the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • 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 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 120cm x 210cm (3ft 11in x 6ft 11in).
  • 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 not 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 medium.

Lab(s) (Science Teaching Laboratory)

  • Directional and locational signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the room(s).
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There is step free access to the speaker's area at the front.
  • The height of the speaker's desk/table is 96cm.
  • The speaker's desk/table is not height adjustable.
  • The height of the lectern is 96cm.
  • The lectern is not height adjustable.
  • There is a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) ranges between 73cm and 85cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • The room does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, to the left after the main entrance and on the first floor, to the right after the lift.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, to the left after the main entrance. .

Accessible Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left after the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 35m (38yd 10in) 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 written text 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 is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • 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 190cm x 200cm (6ft 3in x 6ft 7in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to 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 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • 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 fair.
    • 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) to the left of the toilet and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) to the right of the toilet and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • 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 female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • 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 47cm (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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 105cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 115cm (3ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is good.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

Accessible Toilet(s) (First Floor)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, to the right after exiting the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) 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 good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • 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 150cm x 190cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 3in).
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by storage items.
    • 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 fair.
    • 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) to the left of the toilet and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) to the right of the toilet and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • 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 female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • 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 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • 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 can 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 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is good.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located to the left after the main entrance.
    • There is step-free 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 good.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • There are horizontal wall mounted rails available on both sides of the toilet.
    • The ambulant toilet does not have vertical wall mounted grab rails.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The female and male toilets are located on the first floor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 18m from the lift.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • There are horizontal wall mounted rails available on both sides of the toilet.
    • The ambulant toilet does not have vertical wall mounted grab rails.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.