Have your say on campus car parking
All students and staff are being invited to have their say on campus car parking as the University considers options for a revised car parking policy.
For the past few years an annual travel survey has measured the progress in encouraging sustainable travel to and from campus, with the aim of increasing the number of journeys using alternatives to the car.
The responses each year from students and staff have also been used to inform the University’s travel plan, which aims to ensure a co-ordinated approach to addressing transport issues on campus.
This year’s survey focuses on campus car parking, because the University is about to embark on a major programme of campus development and needs to ensure the capacity to manage demand for car parking spaces.
The survey, which closes on Thursday 6 October, should take no longer than ten minutes to complete. Please be honest with your responses: the information you give will not be linked to you in any way.
The survey work is being co-ordinated by Steer Davies Gleave, an independent transport consultancy; if you have any questions about the survey, please contact Lynn.Morgan@sdgworld.net.
The University’s Registrar, John Duffy, says: “The University has worked hard to keep the current car parking arrangements as they are and has been able to do so for many years.
“However, given growing car parking constraints on campus, we are now faced with a situation in which we must take steps to reduce the demand for spaces. This means we need to seriously consider a number of options.
“We are committed to developing a robust, consistent and transparent parking policy for implementation in 2017, while also supporting the University’s carbon reduction objectives.”
Any parking policy changes could apply to both staff and/or students.
Note that parking for cyclists, motorcyclists and disabled staff and students will continue to be provided free of charge as part of the new policy, and these aspects are not therefore explored in the survey.
Any changes in the parking policy will be subject to an equality impact assessment (a process to ensure that they do not discriminate against disadvantaged or vulnerable people).
Alongside the revised car parking policy, the University is looking at a range of initiatives as part of the overall travel plan, including improved facilities on campus for cyclists (showers, parking, lockers, etc.) and improved pedestrian routes in and around campus. Liaison also continues with the relevant companies about possible improvements to the bus and train services that serve campus.