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College Street South, 13-15

The University of Edinburgh, Central Campus, College Street South, 13-15, Edinburgh, EH8 9AA

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Access Guide

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Introduction

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The Central Area is located on the south side of the city centre. Traffic congestion can be a problem, and parking is strictly controlled. Options to driving into the city centre include Park & Ride tram and bus car parks at the edges of the city.
    • A number of University car parks are located in the Central Area. The Transport and Parking Office of the University of Edinburgh manages parking at the University. University car parks are for the use of permit holders only, and are subject to the university’s parking regulations. Permits are available for visitors to the university.
  • By Bus View
    • Buses from all over the city travel to the Central Area of the university. The University also provides a shuttle bus for staff and students between the Central Area and the King's Buildings. The majority of buses are operated by Lothian Buses. Up to the minute "real time" bus timetable information is now available at the majority of bus stops across the city. Information panels provided next to the majority of bus stops let you know when the next bus services will be arriving, or if there has been a delay.
  • By Train View
    • The Central Area of the university is 0.7 miles from Edinburgh Waverley Station. It should be noted that some of the walking routes may feature paths with steep gradients or steps given the landscape. Edinburgh has rail links throughout the UK. The East Coast mainline, which links Edinburgh and London King’s Cross, is the UK's fastest intercity railway: you can travel between the cities in around 4 hours. A sleeper service runs between London Euston and Edinburgh Waverley 6 nights a week. There are intercity links to other cities including Glasgow (45 minutes), and York, Newcastle or Aberdeen (all 2 hours). All trains arrive at Waverley Station in the centre of the city, although some trains also stop at Haymarket, which is a smaller station in the West End.
  • By Tram View
    • The Edinburgh tram service runs from Edinburgh Airport in the west, to York Place in the east end of the city centre, presently being extended to Leith north east of the city centre. The nearest stop to the Central Campus Area is Princes Street. The nearest stop to the Lauriston Campus and the ECA buildings, or to the Western General site, is West End.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Rooms and Spaces Links

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on College Street South.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The parking located along this street is permit holder and pay and display only.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off College Street South.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The intercom is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The intercom is at a height of 145cm.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The card reader/lock is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 204cm (6ft 8in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 102cm (3ft 4in).
  • 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 easy.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • The ramp is only easy if approached from the right.
    • When approaching from the left, the ramp is steep.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
    • There is an easy ramp, with handrails on both sides, for access to ICMS Seminar Room and ground floor.
    • The width of the ramp is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • The ramp can be seen in photograph 1.
    • There are not 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 some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • 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 1-2-3-4.
    • The stairs are located in front of you on entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 4m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The main staircase on entrance shown in photograph 1 goes from floors 1-2 only. However, it leads to two additional staircases to the left and right of the building that likewise are clearly marked, are medium and have handrails on both sides. One of which can be seen in photograph 2. There is a set of stairs to the middle right of the building from floors 2-3, which also has clearly marked medium steps with handrails on both sides (as shown in photograph 3). There are also two sets of stairs to the rear of the building that serve as fire escapes from floors 1-2-3. One of which can be seen in photograph 4.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to your right on entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1-2-3-4.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) 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 108cm x 140cm (3ft 7in 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 not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.

Reception (ICMS)

  • The ICMS Reception is located in front of you when you exit the lift on level 3.
  • The desk is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the lift.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the lift.
  • There is step free access to this reception area, via lift.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Accessible Toilet (Ground Floor)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right at the bottom of the slope on the ground floor.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 125cm x 162cm (4ft 1in x 5ft 4in).
    • There is a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 75cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • There is not an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is not a mirror.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 115cm (3ft 9in).
    • 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 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder cannot 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 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Accessible Toilet (Level 1)

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.

Accessible Toilet (Level 2)

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located in front of you when you exit the lift.
    • There is a similar accessible toilet on the third floor in the same location as can be seen in photograph 2.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 142cm x 210cm (4ft 8in x 6ft 11in).
    • There is not a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 70cm (2ft 4in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and open waste paper bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the right.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • 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 119cm (3ft 11in).
    • 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).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 76cm (2ft 6in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the ground floor, the second floor, the third floor and the fourth floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor to the left of the building.
    • There is a female standard toilet in the same location.
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 15m from the lift.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.