Skip to main content

Sir John Laing

Coventry University, Much Park Street, Coventry, CV1 2LT

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include the Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Computing laboratories, studios, teaching rooms, lecture theatre and staff offices.

Rooms and Spaces Links

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • Coventry lies at the heart of a motorway network. Once you get to the city centre there are signposts to the university from all the relevant ring road junctions.
      From London: follow the M1, leaving it at Junction 17 onto the M45. At the end of the M45, continue along the A45 and follow the signs for the city centre.
      From East Anglia and eastern England: Take the A14 until it meets the M1/M6 interchange. Then take the M6 to Junction 2 and follow signs for the city centre.
      From southern England: take the A34 to the M40. Leave the M40 at Junction 15, then take the A46 and follow signs for the city centre.
      From the southwest: take the M5, then the M42, leaving the M42 at Junction 6. Follow the A45 to Coventry. From South Wales: follow the M4 to the M5, then as above.
      From western Scotland and the Northwest: leave the M6 at Junction 3 and follow the signs for Coventry city centre.
      From the North: take the M1 to Junction 21, then to the end of the M69, following signs for Coventry city centre.
    • There is a small car park in front of the Alison Gingell Building off Whitefriars Street.
      There are also numerous car parks located nearby including the Multi-Storey Staff Car Park on Gosford Street.
      There are also the Gosford Street, Grove Street and Lower Ford Public Car Parks Located nearby.
  • By Bus View
    • Pool Meadow bus and coach station is located five minutes' walk from the University's main reception in the Alan Berry building.
      For details of local bus/coach/train times and destinations please contact the bus station enquiry line on: +44 (0) 24 7655 9559.
      National Express offers connections between Coventry and other major cities around the UK. If you travel from Birmingham Airport you can take line number 900 bus to Pool Meadow station.
      Other Bus Stops are located nearer the Whitefriars / Jordan Well Area. Including Whitefriars (Stop LC) which serves route 735.
      As well as Earl Street (Stop MP1) which is located on Much Park Street and serves routes 1, 11, 11U, 12X, 41, 539, 580, U17 and X17.
  • By Train View
    • Whitefriars Street is approximately 0.8 miles from Coventry Train Station and should take approximate 16 minutes to reach by foot.
      Coventry is on the main intercity route. Trains from London (Euston) leave every 30 minutes throughout most of the day with journey times of 1 hour to 80 minutes. It takes approximately 20 minutes to reach Coventry from Birmingham International Station.
      There are also daily services from Scotland and the Northwest, from Bristol, the Southwest and South Wales. In addition, there are frequent services from Oxford, Southampton and Bournemouth, as well as Nuneaton, Rugby, Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International (for Birmingham International Airport and the National Exhibition Centre). Check the National Rail Enquiries website for more information.
  • Useful Links View
  • AccessAble Related Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • The name of the car park is Whitefriars Car Park.
    • The car park is located on the far side on the Alison Gingell Building.
  • 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 Much Park Street, in front of the building.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The on street parking bays (photographs 1 and 2) are pay and display, with a maximum stay of 4 hours.
    • Whitefriars car park (photograph 3) does not contain Blue Badge bays, but is free for Blue Badge holders.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building, next to the Richard Crossman Building.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 159cm (5ft 3in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • 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 160cm (5ft 3in).
  • 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.
  • Comments View
    • There is a slight slope leading to this area from Much Park Road and a steep slope to the left as you face the entrance leading up from the courtyard entrance from the Richard Crossman Building.

Reception (Faculty Registry, Information Point and Academic Programmes Office)

  • Faculty Registry, Information Point and Academic Programmes Office is located directly to the right of the main entrance as you enter.
  • The desk is 6m (6yd 1ft) 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).
  • The desk is not staffed.
  • There is a bell to attract attention.
  • The bell is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Outside Access (Far Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building, at the far end by the Alison Gingell Building.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is 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 double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • 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 double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 138cm (4ft 6in).
  • 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.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • The key card reader is 115cm high.
    • There is a slight slope leading to this area from Much Park Road.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building.
    • 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 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 corridors.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • Parts of the first floor corridor have a shiny surface (shown in photograph 3).
    • Photograph 4 shows the Architectural Technology Studio on the first floor.
    • Photograph 5 shows the vending machines on the ground floor, to the left of the main entrance as you enter.

Other Floors (Staircase One)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
    • The stairs are located directly to the left of the main entrance as you enter.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the stairwell on the first floor.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are not 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.
    • Staircase 2 is identical, and located at the opposite end of the building, by the far entrance.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the centre of the building, off the main corridor.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G and 1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 79cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 140cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not 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 have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Accessible Toilet

  • 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 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left of the main entrance as you enter, past staircase one.
    • 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 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 243cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 12in).
    • 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 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are 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 a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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 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 good.
    • There is a good 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 medium.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the ground floor.
    • There are male standard toilets facilities on the first floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located along the main ground floor corridor, at the far end from the main entrance.
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 36m from the main entrance.
    • 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.