2008/9 Car Parking - Questions and Answers

Why are we raising car parking charges now?

Will all the car parking charges be reinvested in improvements in travel?

Yes all the charges will be reinvested in sustainable transport initiatives. We plan to ensure what this is spent on is open and transparent and will be reported to the Board of Governors and Academic Board.

The new monies will allow us to invest in better coverage and a major expansion of the UWE U-link bus service. It will also mean better cycling facilities including safe storage and locker space.

Will the car parking charges be frozen for another 3 years or will they rise again next year?

Unless there are significant external costs that occur or local or national government requirements the intention is to freeze the new car parking charge for 3 years.

Will there be an option to purchase daily car parking tickets?

Yes all Staff and Students will be able to purchase daily car parking vouchers to allow for occasional users.

How much will daily car parking cost?

Daily car parking will require purchase of parking tokens (scratch-cards) which will cost £3 for a book of four days. These are valid for any vehicle on any day and can be purchased in advance.

Where can I purchase daily parking tickets?

Parking vouchers will be available to purchase from several campus locations including the Students' Unions and Bristol Business Park.

I am a holder of a UWE accessible parking badge. Am I exempt from payment?

Staff that are awarded accessible car parking privileges by Human Resources will be exempt from payment and will require no additional permit. Not everyone with accessible parking needs has the nationally recognised blue badge and this allows us to support the welfare needs of more staff.

How much will it cost to park a motorcycle on campus?

Motorcycles are currently exempt from the car parking fee

How much will it cost for student car parking?

Student car parking will require purchase of parking tokens (scratch-cards) which will cost £3 for a book of four days. These are valid for any vehicle on any day and can be purchased in advance.

Will the daily charge rate be applicable at weekends?

No, parking charges will only apply Monday to Friday 9.30 until 17.30

Will the university now be guaranteeing parking space availability now the cost of parking has increased?

Whilst we still can not guarantee access to specific car parks and car parking spaces, with more staff and students travelling by other means we would hope it should ease the problems finding spaces and local congestion on access roads.

I only work part time, am I eligible for a reduced rate?

Part time staff may find it cheaper to purchase daily vouchers.

Why are we not using a sliding scale mirroring the staff pay structure?

Originally it was planned that the charge would be paid by all staff. The Unions asked for low paid staff (band D or less) to only pay the minimum charge of £15 and this has been agreed to. It is important that the scheme should be simple to understand and simple to administer. Income should go into investing in facilities rather than into costs involved in administering the scheme. At £79 the car parking scheme is still one of the lowest charges among UK universities and significantly less than many other public sector organisations.

Where can I find out more information relating to the University bus service?

Full details of the Ulink Bus Service including detailed bus timetables, payment options and other useful links to alternative methods of travel to the University will be published on the Ulink Web Site. This will include a new U5 service to UWE via Clifton Down and an expansion of all other routes.

I cycle to work; what changing rooms and locker facilities are provided on campus?

Over the last couple of years the University has invested in installing additional showers, changing facilities and personal lockers for both student and staff use across all campus locations.
For example on the Frenchay campus there are showers, drying facilities and lockers in the Education block in rooms 2S507 and 2S508. Other requests for a locker are welcome. Showers are also available next to the launderette in M block, on the ground floor of R block and at Botetourt House.
We are also currently planning additional facilities at various locations. Information relating to the other facilities currently available and future developments will be published on the Travel and Transport web pages

I am based on UWE campuses outside Bristol. Am I affected?

This scheme only affects the four main campuses within Bristol.

What additional incentives are there if I lift share?

By sharing your car journey to UWE with someone else, you can save both money and time.

The University has developed special 2+ car parking for people who car-share. If you purchase daily parking tokens you can halve the cost by car-sharing. The only extra requirement to use these spaces is having more than one person in your car when you park. By car sharing:

• there will be more convenient places to park
• you can save hundreds of pounds a year
• you are cutting congestion and reducing the impact of your car on the environment

To find someone to car-share with, register now on UWE's dedicated car share database.

Where do I go if I have further questions or concerns?

You can email the Transport Team direct at travel.plan@uwe.ac.uk alternatively please contact Steve Ward or Chris Donnelly in Facilities or feedback to Steve West in the usual way.