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University College - Garden Stairs

University College, Durham Castle, Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RW

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Access Guide

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Summary

Getting Here

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff within approximately 200m.
    • The name of the car park is Palace Green Car Park.
    • The car park is located off Palace Green.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or marked on street Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 200cm x 1200cm (6ft 7in x 39ft 4in).
    • The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on along North Bailey.
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are not available.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The Blue Badge bay can be seen in photograph 1.
    • The Blue Badge Bay is only available for a maximum stay of three hours between 08:00 and 18:00 with no return within one hour.
    • Photograph 2 shows the Palace Green Car Park.
    • The Palace Green Car Park is only for the use of authorised staff permit holders and authorised visitor permit holders.

Approach

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is block paving.
    • Garden Stairs is located off the Durham Castle courtyard. The Castle is located of Palace Green there is a cobbled road with a very slight slope to reach the castle from the green.
    • In the courtyard the block paved path is only 70cm in width to reach the entrance. On either side is an uneven cobbled surface.
    • There is step-free access on the approach.

Outside Access

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the castle courtyard.
    • This entrance gives access to the staircase to floors 1, 2 and 3.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located in front of you on entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 2m from the entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell from the first floor upwards.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2 and 3.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is not a landing.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access throughout the building .
  • Circulation View
    • There are no doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • There are corridors/walkways with a surface width of less than 120cm (excluding any permanent obstructions over a small distance).
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet.
    • There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in communal areas.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located in the first floor toilet cubicle.
  • There is not level access to the shower facilities.
  • There is a deep step to access the shower.
  • There is a similar shower in the same location on the second floor which can be seen in photograph 3.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located on the ground floor of the castle near the of the main staircase to the Castle Suites.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located along the first floor corridor.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 4m from the stairs.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the lowered wash basin is 85cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • This toilet can be seen in photograph 1. There is a stepped standard shower to the left of the toilet.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The shared toilet is located on the second floor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 2m from the stairs.
    • The visual contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 85cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • This toilet can be seen in photograph 2. There is a stepped standard shower to the left of the toilet.
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar standard toilet on the second floor which can be seen in photograph 3.
    • There is a bath tub next to the toilet.