Sussex Estates and Facilities

Frequently asked questions

Who can park on campus

Why are students not allowed to park on campus as standard?

The demand for parking spaces on campus will always outweigh the number we can supply. We actively encourage everyone to travel by means other than car and we are committed to help provide sustainable transport alternatives wherever possible.

Students with exceptional circumstances can apply to park on campus - this includes disabilities, carer responsibilities, and living a long distance from campus.

Where to park on campus

Where am I supposed to park if I can't find a space?

We encourage all drivers to allow enough time to find a parking space before work or classes. This may mean being more flexible in using the campus car parks that are available. If you have difficulty finding a free space on campus, you may wish to consider using the Jubilee (P7) or Lewes Court (P9) car parks, which usually have spaces. If you park on double yellow lines or on the grass you will receive a Parking Charge Notice (PCN).

Only staff are permitted to park on campus as standard, plus some students with exceptional circumstances.

Parking passes and permits

What is the difference between a pass to park and a parking permit?

A parking permit is pre-paid and allows standard parking as long as it is displayed, while a pass-to-park is issued free of charge and allows you to pay on a daily basis, via scratch cards. Only staff are eligible to apply for a pass-to-park.

How do I apply for a parking pass/permit?

If you are a staff member on the University payroll (including IDS and BSMS staff), you can apply via Sussex Direct. Log in and follow the links for your "Personal" page, then "Transport". After you have added your vehicle details, a button will appear allowing you to apply.

All other members of the University can apply via forms available on our website.

I am a part-time member of staff: do I need to tell you my hours when applying for a permit so I get the FTE rate?

The Payroll Office will calculate the relevant rate from your employment records. There is no need to notify us of your hours of work.

Where do I collect my pass/permit from?

Information on permit collections will be emailed directly to you once your permit has been processed.

When do I renew my pass/permit?

Staff can renew a pass/permit via Sussex Direct.

Log on to Sussex Direct. Choose the link for the "Personal" page, followed by "Transport". A renew button will be visible. Choose the button and follow the instructions.

What happens if I do not renew my pass/permit?

If you do not renew your pass/permit, it will expire and you will not be issued with a new one. You will not be able to bring your car to campus until you apply for a new one.

I do not have easy access to a computer: how do I request to change to a permit?

Staff and students can use any of the computers in ITS clusters on campus.

I don't have any permit or pass-to-park, but wish to use the scratch card system. What should I do?

Staff bringing cars on to campus are required to have either a pass-to-park, and pay daily, or have an annual permit.

Parking charges

Why do I have to pay for parking?

We need to cover the costs of providing and maintaining car parks. Much of the revenue from parking supports the routine maintenance and repairs of parking equipment, barriers, car parks and roads, as well as parking enforcement, etc.

I work for SussexFood/Sussex Estates and Facilities – what parking charge do I pay?

Sussex Estates and Facilities staff can apply for a permit by emailing Transport@sef.fm. If you work for SussexFood, speak to your line manager.

Parking charges for non-University staff are the same as for staff directly employed by the University – £360 per year as standard.

When do parking charges apply?

Parking charges apply all year round, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Parking charges do not apply at weekends, although be aware that parking is limited on campus during Brighton & Hove Albion match days.

I already pay my tuition fees. Why should I have to pay extra for parking?

Students’ tuition fees do not cover costs for transport to and from campus, such as bus or train travel, petrol and parking costs.

Why don't you charge for motorbikes? Like cars, they pollute the environment.

Motorbikes do not pollute the environment as much as other motor vehicles, and do not take up as much space on the University campus.

Why are low-emission cars not charged less, to encourage their use?

A low-emission car occupies the same parking space as any other car. A fair system of increased charges for high-emission cars would be complicated to administer, but this is under continued review as a future possibility.

What do you do with the income from parking charges?

Much of the revenue from parking supports the transport operation, e.g. staff salaries; routine maintenance and repairs of parking machines, barriers, car parks, roads, footpaths, cycle paths, bicycle shelters and bus shelters; parking enforcement, etc.

Why is income from car parking used to support other forms of transport (e.g. for building and maintaining footpaths, cycle paths, bike racks, bus shelters)?

The use of income from car parking to fund the transport strategy is to encourage sustainable transport to campus and to reduce the demand for car parking. The planning authorities allow us a strictly limited number of spaces on campus – so we do what we can to help shift demand from car use to other forms of transport. This makes it better for all campus users – so people who still need to drive benefit from others switching to other forms of transport.

However, only a small proportion of income from car parking goes on supporting these other forms of travel. By far the largest part of the cost is the construction, maintenance and management of car parking and the road network. (These are private roads that we build and maintain; they are not funded by the local council.)

How much does the University charge the football club for parking by its season-ticket holders?

Payment for the use of our car parks is discussed at each annual review of the University's agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club about the use of campus car parks by season-ticket holders.

How do the payments from BHAFC contribute to the cost of maintaining car parks?

Even if payments from the club for their use of car parking are taken into account, there is currently a shortfall against the cost of managing and maintaining the car parking infrastructure for the campus.

There are of course also additional costs associated with managing and maintaining the relationship with the club and the parking arrangements associated with that.

For the future, the University will continue to need to make best use of space available on campus for academic purposes – and this will include making judgements about the large amount of space currently taken up by the type of car parks we have at the moment.

Replacement car-parking, most probably multi-level to reduce the footprint of campus space taken up, would need to be built. That long-term vision has been part of the campus masterplan since 2004. The income from the club will help support these kind of investments.

Scratch cards

What is a scratchcard?

Simply scratch off the date, month and year and write in your car registration number, then display the scratchcard in the windscreen of your car. Each scratchcard pays for parking for one day.

Visitor scratchcards can be displayed by themselves, while staff scratch cards need to be displayed alongside a pass-to-park.

Where do I get a scratchcard from?

Students are not eligible to use scratchcards for parking.

Staff can buy scratchcards from:

  • Hastings building reception (9am to 4pm)
  • Eat Central in Bramber House (8am to 5pm; reduced opening hours during the summer)
  • BSMS Doctor's Orders (for BSMS staff only)

Visitors should contact their relevant department or school, who can purchase visitor scatchcards in bulk from the Transport Office.

Parking enforcement 

Will I get a warning first before I get a ticket?

Drivers who park on double yellow lines, in a disabled bay without the appropriate badge or on hatched areas will receive an immediate fine as they are blocking the way for emergency vehicles and potentially causing serious issues for disabled drivers. Parking on pavements or grassed areas will also result in an immediate fine.

How much is the fine?

A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is for £60. A discounted rate of £30 is offered if the PCN is paid within 14 days.

How do I pay a fine?

Call the First Parking payment line on 0200 333 1995, or visit www.paymyparking.net. Information is available on the PCN itself on how you can pay a parking fine.

How do I appeal against a parking ticket?

Send any enquiries and/or appeals to First Parking LLP, Office 7, 35-37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN, or via their website www.paymyparking.net.

What happens if I don't pay the fine?

If the PCN is not paid within 28 days of the issue of the notice, First Parking may request details of the registered keeper of the vehicle from the DVLA. First Parking will take action to recover the full amount, including any further costs that may be incurred.

Visitor parking

Will pay by phone be made available in more car parks in the future?

PaybyPhone is available in four car parks: Sussex House (P4), the Sport Centre (P5), the Falmer Sports Complex, and the Jubilee multi-storey (P7) car park.

Is there an alternative payment method for visitors who don’t have a smart phone?

Research shows that over 85% of the adult population in the UK uses a smartphone or internet enabled mobile device. Even if visitors do not have a smartphone, they can use any phone to call PayByPhone and arrange parking on 01273 785599.