Access information about our campuses

There are accessible bays in all of the main Colchester campus car parks.

Charges

• Visitor parking charges apply even in accessible bays.
• Students holding a blue badge need to pay to register their vehicle but do not pay the daily tariff. 
• Staff members holding a blue badge need to pay to register their vehicle but do not pay the daily tariff.

Electric vehicle charging

• There are currently no dedicated blue badge charging bays. Information on electric vehicle charging can be found on our travel web pages.

Valley Car Park

This is the closest parking to central campus. Accessible parking bays in the valley car park are located in the northmost lane. This lane is closest to central campus, it is the final lane when arriving from off campus, accessible bays are near the end of the lane.

• Number of Accessible bays: 6
• Surface material: Asphalt/Tarmac
• Gradient: This car park is not flat. Three of the accessible bays are located at the edge of the carpark where gradients are minimal. There is a moderate gradient uphill from the other three bays towards central campus. There is a steep slope down and then back up if heading towards the path leading to the hotel. The lanes of parking further south are significantly flatter but are further away from central campus.
• Steps and kerbs: There are no steps or kerbs between the accessible parking and paths to central campus, the sports centre, or the hotel. There is no lowered kerb or step free access to the middle lane. There is step free access to all other lanes.
• Lighting: There is lighting in this carpark. There is lighting around the accessible bays. 
• Location: Find your way, Google Maps, What three words: ///forces.span.truck

Car park B (sports centre)

This car park is best for access to the sports centre or south courts.

• Number of Accessible bays: 2
• Surface material: Asphalt/Tarmac
• Gradient: This car park is flat if accessing south courts or the sports centre. Access to central campus is via a steeply sloped path. The lift in the Ivor Crew lecture hall can be used to avoid the hill, however this route is approximately 400m longer than the steeper route. 
• Steps and kerbs: There are no steps or kerbs between the accessible parking and the path leading to the sports centre.
• Lighting: These bays are well lit.
• Location: Find your way, Google Maps, What three words: ///cans.indeed.window

Multi Story car park

Accessible bays in the multi-story car park are on the ground floor, there are no lifts to the upper floors.

• Number of Accessible bays: 4
• Surface material: Asphalt/Tarmac
• Gradient: This car park is flat if accessing south courts or the sports centre. Access to central campus is via a steeply sloped path. The lift in the Ivor Crew lecture hall can be used to avoid the hill, however this route is approximately 300m longer than the steeper route. 
• Steps and kerbs: There are no steps or kerbs between the accessible parking and the path leading to the sports centre.
• Lighting: These bays are well lit.
• Location: Find your way, Google Maps, What three words: ///plug.farmer.line

North Tower’s Car park

This carpark is on a steep slope there are accessible bays in three locations:

1) Bays nearest to the north towers causeway (Best for access to central campus)

• Number of Accessible bays: 5
• Surface material: Asphalt/Tarmac
• Gradient: These bays are on a slight gradient. They are level with the north causeway (which is flat and leads to central campus), and slightly above the path towards the knowledge gateway.
• Steps and kerbs: There is step free access from these bays to the causeway. If heading to the knowledge gateway the path goes over a steep mound between the north tower’s carpark and the Innovation centre carpark.
• Lighting: These bays are well lit.
• Location: Find your way, Google Maps, What three words: ///raft.melon.actual

2) Bays nearest to Essex Business School (Best for the business school or Innovation centre access)

• Number of Accessible bays: 12
• Surface material: Asphalt/Tarmac
• Gradient: These bays are on a slight gradient. They are level with the top of EBS and the innovation centre.
• Steps and kerbs: There is a mostly level path leading form these spaces to the EBS main entrance. 
• Lighting: These bays are well lit.
• Location: Find your way, Google Maps, What three words: ///river.wiped.tinsel

3) Bays nearest to the houses (Best for this accommodation access)

• Number of Accessible bays: 5
• Surface material: Asphalt/Tarmac
• Gradient: These bays are on a slight gradient. They are at the top of the hill.
• Steps and kerbs: There is a path between these bays which has a dropped kerb.  
• Lighting: These bays are well lit.
• Location: Find your way, Google Maps, What three words: ///rivers.things.acute

Constable Building Car Park

This car park is best for access to constable building or the hotel.

• Number of Accessible bays: 2
• Surface material: Asphalt/Tarmac
• Gradient: This car park is slightly sloped away from the building and the hotel carpark.  
• Steps and kerbs: There are no steps or kerbs between the accessible parking and the constable building, access to the hotel carpark or exiting to the east is step free via the road, there is no separate footpath.
• Constable Access: Step free access is approximately 6 meters from the accessible bays, doors are fully automatic.
• Lake house access: There is a bollard which may block access to those in larger chairs heading towards lake house.
• Lighting: There is some lighting in this carpark, although this does not directly light the accessible bays.
• Location: Find your way, Google Maps, What three words: ///suffice.ranch.fines

Wivenhoe House Hotel Car Park

This car park is only for hotel guests.

• Number of Accessible bays: 3
• Surface material: Asphalt/Tarmac
• Gradient: This car park is flat, there is a slight slope on the path towards the step free hotel entrance.
• Hotel access: Step free access to the hotel is approximately 15 meters from the accessible bays. Access is via the path to the left of the main entrance; the door is automatic but is operated by a button to the right of the door. The lift is around the corner to the left, to access reception take the lift to the 1^st floor and exit to the right.
• Steps and kerbs: There are no steps or kerbs. This carpark provides step free access to the hotel, the hotel’s garden, the footpath towards central campus, and the constable car park.
• Lighting: There is no lighting in this carpark apart from lights at the entrance to the hotel.
• Location: Find your way, Google Maps, What three words: ///tips.metals.event

Innovation centre and knowledge gateway car parks

The main innovation centre carpark is a gravel surface and does not have dedicated accessible bays, however there are accessible parking bays within each area closer to the buildings. These bays are all well-lit and have step free routes to all each of the building’s office buildings within Parkside. There are slight gradients on these paths, but they are not steep.

Car park A

Car park A is mainly used for event and coach parking, there is no step free access to this carpark as there no lowered curb. There are no accessible bays in this carpark, this is not a recommended carpark for those with physical access needs.

Capon Road car park

This car park has no accessible bays, it is approximately 600m from central campus. The surface is gravel, and it is only accessible by steps or using the vehicle entrance thus this is not a recommended carpark for those with physical access needs.

Accessible bays at the Quays, South Courts, and Meadows

There are a small number of accessible bays within accommodation areas, for information about these spaces please contact accommodation.

Under Podia Car Park

There is no general access parking under podia. Parking is subject to availability and is only possible with prior authorisation. Most staff, students and visitors who need accessible parking should be able to find suitable parking in the other carparks listed above however where none of these spaces are suitable bays under podia can be considered. All bays under podia are unique and thus are allocated on an individual based on specific needs.  For more information see information about using under podia to get between buildings or as a drop off location.

North Campus taxi tank

This taxi rank is best for access towards Colchester. It is 200m from central campus with level access.

• Surface material: Large paving slabs.
• Gradient: This location is flat.
• Steps and kerbs: This drop-off point has a lowered kerb connecting to the north towers causeway which provides level access to central campus.
• Lighting: There is lighting in this area.
• Shelter: There is shelter with a small bench.
• Location: Find your way, Google Maps, What three words: ///trails.table.liked

South Campus taxi tank

This taxi rank is best for access towards Wivenhoe or Tendring. It is 200m from central campus but access is via a steep slope.

• Surface material: Concrete surface
• Gradient: This location is flat.
• Steps and kerbs: There are lowered kerbs about 20m in front of this area. There is level access to the sports centre but not central campus.
• Lighting: There is not lighting in this area.
• Shelter: There is not a shelter or a seating area.
• Location: Find your way, Google Maps, What three words: ///daily.exams.delay

Dropping off Under podia

If the other taxi ranks are too far from central campus it may be possible to be dropped off under podia. For more information see information about using under podia to get between buildings or as a drop off location.

Loading near accommodation areas

For residents in accommodation areas who need dropping off closer to their building due to an access need, it is sometimes possible to permit access through the barriers for loading/unloading only. This would need arranging in advance through SWIS, Accommodation or Event Essex.

There are regular services from First Bus, Headingham & Chambers and National Express which pass the Colchester campus. All buses should be wheelchair accessible, but most operators only permit one wheelchair per bus. All the bus stops on campus should be accessible to wheelchair users.

Valley Road bus stop (towards Colchester)

This is the closest bus stop to central campus, about 100m, which can be accessed by a very slightly sloped step free path.

• Surface material: large paving slabs
• Gradient: This location is flat.
• Raised Kerb: There is a raised kerb at this location.
• Lighting: There is lighting within the bus shelter.
• Shelter: There is a shelter with a small seat.

Valley Road bus stop (towards Wivenhoe)

This is the closest bus stop to central campus, about 100m, which can be accessed by a very slightly sloped step free path.

• Surface material: large paving slabs
• Gradient: This location is flat.
• Raised Kerb: There is a raised kerb at this location.
• Lighting: There is lighting within the bus shelter.
• Shelter: There is a shelter with a small seat.

South courts bus stop (towards Colchester)

This bus stop is 250m from central campus via a steep downhill slope, it is 70m from the sports centre via step free level access.

• Restrictions: There is a narrow footpath which is only wide enough for one wheelchair at this bus stop.
• Surface material: large paving slabs
• Gradient: This location is flat.
• Raised Kerb: There is a raised kerb at this location.
• Lighting: There is lighting within the bus shelter.
• Shelter: There is a shelter with a small seat.

South courts bus stop (towards Wivenhoe)

This bus stop is 250m from central campus via a steep downhill slope, it is 70m from the sports centre via step free level access.

• Surface material: large paving slabs
• Gradient: This location is flat.
• Raised Kerb: There is a raised kerb at this location.
• Lighting: There is lighting within the bus shelter.
• Shelter: There is a shelter with a small seat.

Essex Business School bus stop (towards Colchester)

This bus stop is 250m from central campus via a steep uphill slope, it is 40m from the EBS lower entrance via sloped brick paved path.

• Surface material: large paving slabs
• Gradient: This location is flat.
• Raised Kerb: There is a raised kerb at this location.
• Lighting: There is lighting within the bus shelter.
• Shelter: There is a shelter with a small seat.

Essex Business School bus stop (towards Wivenhoe)

This bus stop is 250m from central campus via a steep uphill slope, it is 40m from the the business school lower entrance via sloped brick paved path.

• Surface material: large paving slabs
• Gradient: This location is flat.
• Raised Kerb: There is a raised kerb at this location.
• Lighting: There is lighting within the bus shelter.
• Shelter: There is a shelter with a small seat.

The Pastures bus stop (towards Colchester)

This bus stop is 600m from central campus via a steep uphill slope, it provides level access to the Meadows and Pastures accommodation.

• Surface material: Asphalt/Tarmac
• Gradient: This location is flat.
• Raised Kerb: There is a raised kerb at this location.
• Lighting: There is lighting in this area.
• Shelter: There is a shelter with a bench seat.

The Meadows bus stop (towards Wivenhoe)

This bus stop is 500m from central campus via a steep uphill slope, it provides level access to the Meadows and Pastures accommodation.

• Surface material: Asphalt/Tarmac
• Gradient: This location is flat.
• Raised Kerb: There is a raised kerb at this location.
• Lighting: There is lighting in this area.
• Shelter: There is a shelter with a bench seat.

The Quays bus stop (towards Colchester and Wivenhoe)

Buses travel both directions. This bus stop is 800m from central campus via a steep uphill slope and the quays bridge, it provides level access to the Quays accommodation.

• Surface material: Asphalt/Tarmac
• Gradient: This location is flat.
• Raised Kerb: There is a raised kerb at this location, but access is limited due to the position of the bus shelter, those using a wheelchair are best to wait before the shelter to ensure the driver stops where there is space for the ramp.
• Lighting: There is lighting in this area.
• Shelter: There is a shelter with a bench seat.

Staff and students with physical accessibility needs can have access through the below three buildings added to their student/staff card, this will allow out of hours use of the lifts in these buildings:

• STEM Building – under podia entrance (always locked)
• Tony Rich Teaching Centre – (locked between midnight and 5am)
• Essex Business School– (locked between 8pm and 5am)

Speak to SWIS or OH to be added to the “ARC: Accessible Routes Colchester” list.

The squares are the heart of the 1960’s estate but are separated in two places by stairs. There are several ways to navigate between the squares step free, the main routes can be busy in peak times, thus it is advisable to familiarise yourself with multiple options. Several of these are listed below.

Avoiding the steps between Square 1 (floor 3) and Square 2 (floor 4) can be done using either L77 or L24.

• If using L77 all doors are automatic, this is a larger lift but can be busy.
• If using L24 you need to pass a heavy door on floor 3 of the stem building, this lift is smaller but usually quiet.
• There is also a much longer path with steep gradients to the south, but this is not recommended as an accessible route.

Avoiding the steps between Square 3 (floor 4) and Square 4 (floor 5) can be done using either H5, H6, L8, L5 or L6.

• H5 is a very busy route, there is often a queue for this lift. It is the most direct route at less than 20m between the squares. All doors are held open or automatic.
• L8 is a smaller (slightly slower) lift and is usually quieter apart form market days (Thursdays). There are 2 doors to go through on floor 5, the door closest to the lift opens towards the lift into a corner and may be difficult to open from a wheelchair when traveling towards square 4. If traveling towards square 3 both doors can be pushed and are not overly heavy. This route adds approximately 40m when compared with using H6.
• H6 only connects to square 3 via the door at the back of the SU bar, thus this route is only accessible when the bar is open. There are 2 doors to open on this route; if the bar is open and the door is locked, please call security. This route adds approximately 40m when compared with using H6.
• L5 is accessed from the northeast of Square 2, this route is quieter than H5 and may be quicker if you are traveling from square 2. All doors are automatic or held open on this route. This route adds approximately 60m when compared with using H6
• L6 is accessed from the northwest of Square 2, this route is quieter than H5 and may be quicker if you are traveling from square 2. All doors are automatic or held open on this route.This route adds approximately 100m when compared with using H6.
• There is also a much longer path with steep gradients to the south, but this is not recommended as an accessible route.

Traveling all the way between Square 4 (floor 5) and Square 1 (floor 3) requires a combination of the above routes or use of under podia.

• Please check guidance on use of under podia as although the path connects both ends of the squares it may not be suitable for everyone.

Parts of the building to the north of square 3 sit on half floors, you may need to allow additional time when moving between these rooms and other areas of campus. Below lists rooms on half floors and how to access them step free:

• Rooms on floor 4 numbered from 4N.4.4 to 4N.4.6 or Rooms 4.101 to 4.352 (excluding 4.308, 4.310, 4.314 and 4.318)
  • Best route: Take the H5 lift to floor 3, follow the corridor round to the right to L3 lift and travel to floor 4.
  • Alternate route (if H5 is out of service): Use any lift to get to floor 6, then use the AL13 platform lift to travel to floor 6, follow the corridor along to the L3 lift and travel to floor 4.
  • These rooms cannot be accessed without the L3 lift.
• All rooms on floor 5A numbered from 5A.102 to 5A.342
  • Best route: Take the H5 lift to floor 3, follow the corridor round to the right to L3 lift and travel to floor 5A.
  • Alternate route (if H5 is out of service): Use any lift to get to floor 6, then use the AL13 platform lift to travel to floor 6, follow the corridor along to the L3 lift and travel to floor 5A.
• All rooms on floor 5B.
  • Best route: Take the H5 lift to floor 3, follow the corridor round to the right to L3 lift and travel to floor 4.
  • Alternate route (if H5 is out of service): Use any lift to get to floor 6, then use the AL13 platform lift to travel to floor 6, follow the corridor along to the L3 lift and travel to floor 5B.
• Rooms on floor 6 to the east numbered from 6.106 to 6.149
  • Best route: Take the H5 lift to floor 3, follow the corridor round to the right to L3 lift and travel to floor 4.
  • Alternate route (if H5 is out of service): Use any lift to get to floor 6, then use the AL13 platform lift to travel to floor 6,
• Rooms on floor 6 to the west numbered from 6.328 to 6.360
  • These rooms can only be accessed via a platform lift AL11, those using wheelchairs to access classes can request timetables be adjusted to avoid these rooms.
• Half floors within CSEE can be accessed via the L6 lift.

Most people will navigate between spaces using the squares, however within the 1960’s estate, it can reduce the number of lift journeys to move around while remaining inside. For example, on level 6 it is possible to move from the law department near square 5 along to the school of life sciences by square 2. There are a few areas where it is not possible to move between buildings internally, these are listed below:

• The STEM building is connected to the main campus building but only through a CSEE laboratory thus this is not an access route.
• The SSRC building is connected to the main campus building there is no public access unless you are UKDA staff.
• There is no access through the back of psychology to the CBS building

The Under-Podia entrance runs beneath the heart of campus from east (Valley Road) to west. Although primarily used for service deliveries and access to the Lakeside Theatre Stage Door, much of the University accessible parking is located here, together with parking for bicycles and motorbikes. Please note there are many vehicles moving around under podia, pedestrians must stick to the marked footpaths. This footpath can be used to travel between buildings without lifts, although this route is slightly sloped down towards square 1.

Not all entrances are step free, but many key lifts can be accessed from under podia. It has the advantages of being:

• Central and step-free – lifts provide level-access from under-podia to all five main squares, with most departments, teaching spaces and social facilities easily accessible from there on.
• Dry – under-podia routes onto campus entail relatively short distances and have the benefit of being mostly undercover.