Access guide

AccessAble

Queens' College is committed to being as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. To help plan your visit to Queens' the College has teamed up with AccessAble in preparing a detailed guide.

Location, Services and Transport

Queens' is located just outside city centre, near the Backs, where Silver Street crosses the River Cam. Sample walking times:

  • City Centre: 0.5 miles;
  • University Mill Lane lecture rooms: 0.2 miles;
  • University New Museums Site: 0.3 miles;
  • University Downing Site: 0.5 miles;
  • University Sidgwick Site: 0.5 miles;
  • University Library: 0.5 miles.

Traffic

Please see Travel by car for details of motor traffic access restrictions. Drivers with disabilities can obtain permits to allow them through the controlled area.

Services and shops

City centre (0.5 miles). Some pubs and cafés nearby in Silver Street, Mill Lane (0.2 miles), and Newnham Road (0.5 miles). Late-night shopping till 11pm at the Newnham roundabout petrol station (0.5 miles).

Parking

Limited parking might be available on site and nearby accommodation by prior arrangement with the Head Porter on 01223 335511. Drivers with disabilities can obtain a permit.

Cambridge operates a Park and Ride system for visitors: the Madingley Road Park & Ride site has a bus connection to Queens’ offered by the “Universal” bus route.

Other transport options

On Silver Street immediately outside Queens’ College is a bus stop for the University “Universal” bus route, offering a service to the University Biomedical campus and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, the Cambridge rail station, the University Library, the University Mathematics Faculty, the University West Cambridge site, and the Madingley Road Park & Ride. See the Universal bus timetable. The Silver Street bus stops are also used by the City Sightseeing tourist buses.

Other local bus and national coach routes operate from the Drummer Street bus station, or Parkside, both about 0.75 miles on foot from Queens’. The local operators are Stagecoach and Whippet. The national operator is National Express.

The railway station is about 1.5 miles on foot from College. The “Universal” bus route operates (except Sundays and public holidays) between Queens’ College and the rail station; otherwise a taxi might be needed.

General Information

Queens' has around 450 undergraduates and 500 postgraduates. The College has many listed buildings, which makes access improvements to the older areas difficult. There is ongoing building work and discussion about disabled access to the College. The College is very willing to help improve disabled access to all areas where possible, so please discuss your individual needs or suggestions in advance.

Smoking

Smoking is banned (including e-cigarettes) throughout College, except for one small area set aside for smokers, behind Cripps building. This is wheelchair accessible.

Disability Liaison Officer

The College Nurse is also the College’s Disability Liaison Officer and can assist you with information and advice both before you arrive, and during your time at Queens’.

Tel: 01223 335578 or e-mail: nurse@queens.cam.ac.uk

Medical facilities

The Health Centre is located in Cripps Court. The College Nurse holds a weekday drop in clinic during full term. Closed Wednesday afternoons, except for emergencies or pre-arranged appointments.  Outside full term separate notices will be posted on the Health Centre door. The Health Centre has an automatic (wheelchair accessible) door on both the main entrance and the bathroom.

Emergency procedures

It is essential that you advise the College Nurse and Porters’ Lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. An evacuation chair is housed in the Health Centre, and all the Porters are trained in its use.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

Three residential rooms have been adapted for wheelchair users: W1, BB2, CC3, all with en-suite wet-room showers and WCs. W1 and BB2 have kitchenette facilities within the bedroom, CC3 has an adapted kitchen outside. Wheelchair access is available via ramps to the ground floor of staircases of W, BB, CC and DD, and to the Health Centre.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

Discuss in advance.

Vacation stays

Staying over vacations is possible, please refer to the Student Handbook for further information.

Catering arrangements

The cafeteria offers three meals daily, and there are four formal halls each week. There is a small coffee shop in the bar. Payment can be made by cash or via the UMIS cashless payment system using the University Card.

Special diets

Most special diets, including Kosher and Halal, can be accommodated. Speak to the Catering Manager or Chef. Kosher meals require 5 working days notice, Halal meals require 2 working days notice.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Queens' College accessibilityThe College sites on both sides of the river Cam have step-free entry points with automated doors and gates, and step-free routes are available to almost all ground-floor public destinations in college. On the west side of the river, the main Porters' Lodge offers step-free entry into the college from Silver Street, with a mild downward ramp into the College, through automatic doors, all wheelchair accessible. On the east side of the river, the Dokett Gate on Queens' Lane is automated and wheelchair accessible, operated by University Card, or by remote control from the Porters' Lodge. The Old Court entrance from Queens' Lane has two steps up into college and a heavy gate, and is therefore unsuitable for wheelchair users and some individuals with reduced mobility.

Connecting the two sides of college is the Mathematical Bridge, which has steep 1-in-5 ramps on both sides. This is negotiable by powered wheelchairs or mobility vehicles, but unpowered wheelchair users will probably require assistance.

Inside the site, there are step-free routes to most destinations, with occasional ramps.

College buildings in general

The majority of residential staircases have steps at entry, even to get to the ground floor. Exceptions, having step-free ramped access to ground floor rooms, are: staircases W, BB, CC, DD, and Essex Building. There are two lifts in Cripps Court (at AA staircase, and in the Dining Hall lobby connecting to higher floors on FF staircase). Where automatic doors are fitted, they are operated either by push-button or by University Card: some push-button operated doors become secure card-operated after 8pm.

Bar

Level access to both entrances. Spacious inside, with a variety of seating areas. Lowered bar counter. Level access to outside patio. Accessible toilet in nearby corridor.

Cafeteria

Serving area next to hall. Level access through push-button automatic doors. Level and spacious.

Chapel

Level access through double doors, usually one of them bolted from inside. Fixed pew seating, with some ground floor pews.

College offices

The Financial Office and IT Office are on the ground floor of Essex Building, which is wheelchair-accessible. Some other College offices are up stairs and through heavy doors, please contact staff to meet elsewhere if necessary, or contact the College Nurse to discuss.

Common rooms

JCR & MCR both accessible.

Computer facilities

All residential rooms have an ethernet socket for wired internet, and the whole estate is covered by University wi-fi for wireless internet. The College IT Office is on the ground floor of Essex Building, wheelchair accessible.

Dining hall

Next to cafeteria. Level access through push-button automatic doors. Level and spacious inside, with moveable furniture.

Fellows' areas

SCR accessible using lift in AA staircase in Cripp's building.

Gardens

Gardens on site, in the older part of College. Mostly level and accessible, but some surfaces are uneven. Level gravel path along river.

Laundry

One ground floor laundry, large inside but with a rather narrow door. Second laundry behind Friars' building, rather small and down a slight slope, ground floor.

Library

Level access to ground floor, with entry by University Card. Two upper floors accessed by staircase. Work space on ground floor, and staff will help during office hours.

Porters' Lodge and post room

The Porters' Lodge is the main entrance for pedestrians and is level, with a dropped counter. Both the Porters' Lodge and post room are accessible via automatic doors. Every student will have their own pigeon-hole: if there is any concern over the position of this, please discuss with the Porters.

Sport facilities

Gym and Squash Courts on site, ground floor and accessible. Sports fields on Barton Road. Boathouse on Trafalgar Road.

Toilets

Two accessible toilets, one on each side of the river. One is in Lyon Court near the bar and Fitzpatrick Hall, and the other is in Walnut Tree Court, with access via RADAR key: a spare key can be collected from the Porters' Lodge.

Other

  • Fitzpatrick Hall, used as a theatre and for sport and social events. Level access to lower level through double doors. Tiered seating when seating is in place, but room for a wheelchair. Accessible toilet just outside and to the left.
  • Old Hall and Munro Room, both in older part of College and used as smaller dining halls. Step-free access, with moveable furniture.
  • Music practice rooms are down stairs and through heavy doors.
  • Armitage Room, used for supervisions and meetings, is on the first floor of Cripps Court, accessible from both ends via the AA or FF lifts.

Visual Impairments

Assistance dogs

Please discuss in advance.

Computer facilities

Special hardware or software could be acquired if necessary.

Large print, Braille and audio

Large print letters and information on request.

Library and magnification equipment

No special facilities for text enlargement. Some could be acquired if necessary.

Signs and wayfinding

Good, clear, green and white signs all around College. Map available from the Porters.

Other

Due to the age of our buildings in some areas of College, there are uneven and worn floors and some narrow staircases.

Hearing Impairments

Visual or sensory alarms can be acquired.

Induction loop is installed in the chapel.

Other

  • Some traffic noise from Silver Street.
  • Bar has a jukebox and games machines.

Specific Learning Difficulties

Arrangements for students with Specific Learning Difficulties are on an individual basis, in conjunction with the Disability Resource Centre: please discuss your needs with the College Nurse.

Access issues

Contact: Domestic Bursar
Tel: 01223 335520
Fax: 01223 335577
Email:info@queens.cam.ac.uk

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