New building programme launched to improve accessibility on University of Birmingham campus
The University of Birmingham has launched a new programme to improve accessibility on campus.
The University of Birmingham is committed to improving accessibility on campus and removing any barriers to the full university experience for all students, staff, and visitors.
The University has a large and varied campus, from historic listed buildings to state-of-the-art research facilities. To ensure the campus is as accessible and welcoming as possible, the University is funding a range of accessibility improvement work.
The work includes:
- Plans to improve accessibility in the Education Building. These works include a new passenger lift (to move visitors between floors of a building), several new platform lifts (allowing for access between floors in the Annexe and the split levels on the ground, second and fourth floors), a new accessible entrance and more toilets, including wheelchair accessible facilities. The project is expected to start in early 2024.
- The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is temporarily closed to enable Phase 1 of its building improvement programme (further improvements will take place in 2025). These works to the Grade I listed Art Deco building will see a new ground-floor entrance and accessible toilet facilities installed.
- The University’s historic Aston Webb building is also listed and permission to provide step-free access to the Rotunda entrance and to refurbish the lift in Block B is being sought.
- New, smooth tarmac will replace the uneven, cobbled area between Chancellor’s Court, East Gate and the Green Heart.
- Listed building consent has been granted for works to be completed on the ground-floor doors and ramp in the Ashley building.
Other works include dropped kerbs to pavements, tactile paving and more handrails to steps throughout campus. Additional spending pens are being installed for guide and assistance dogs near the Guild and the train station. Several doors in buildings such as Arts, Law, ERI, Gisbert Kapp, Nuffield and the Medical School Café will also be made automatic and there will be increased, or improved, wheelchair-accessible WCs across campus.
The Estates team have commissioned access audit reports and condition surveys and has also worked closely with the Accessibility Oversight Group, the Disabled Student’s Contribution Group, and EDI Leads on this project. It is hoped that this programme of work will help to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. All works will be aligned with our developing capital masterplan.
The Estates Team are currently collecting proposals for the next programme of work to be carried out. If you have any feedback or suggestions about access improvement works on campus, please contact the estates accessibility team.