Parking changes at our campuses: Important information for staff
We have been reviewing our car parking provision to ensure we offer an equitable service across all our campuses. Therefore we will be implementing some important changes to our staff car parking scheme which comes into effect from Monday 6 November.
Please ensure you are enrolled in the Staff Parking Permit Scheme by Monday 6 November to avoid any fines if you park in any of our University car parks. This includes staff who park at our Bedford, Putteridge Bury, and Aylesbury car parks and Church Street and Park Square at our Luton campus.
Please read on to find out how the changes might affect you.
What changes can staff expect?
We are now working in partnership with a third-party provider, Total Parking Solutions, and all sites listed above will transfer to an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) management system. In addition, the old and broken pay stations at the Bedford campus will be replaced with an online payment system.
What do staff need to do?
All staff who wish to park in any of the above car parks must be enrolled within the Staff Parking Permit Scheme by Monday 6 November.
Colleagues parking at Bedford can pay the advertised Car Parking Charge via the online payment system instead of enrolling in the Staff Parking Permit Scheme if preferred.
Please note that failure to enrol in the scheme or pay the daily charge will result in the issue of parking charges via the ANPR system. We cannot challenge any parking charges issued unless you are enrolled in the Staff Parking Permit Scheme or have paid a relevant daily charge.
Permits to park at The Mall Market Car park in Luton
Staff holding permits to park at The Mall Market Car Park in Luton should continue to use the current parking facilities.
Information has been issued separately to staff at The Atrium who are moving to The Mall Market Car Park.
The revised Parking Policy can be viewed here, and colleagues are advised to familiarise themselves with any changes.
Making the system fairer for all
The University has an ambition to offer parking facilities to all staff and has significantly invested in this provision to subsidise parking across our estate where possible. Whilst this subsidy will continue, there is significant variance across the current permit charging bands. We want to revise and simplify the current banding system to make the charges fair and proportionate across the staff base.
We intend to roll out a revised banding for January 2023.
FAQs
We have also produced a helpful list of FAQs.
However, if you have additional questions please do not hesitate to contact the Facilities and Estates team. Enquiries to the team car parking@beds.ac.uk
General (across all campuses)
Q. How much are the parking charges if I don't have a permit or have not paid via the app?
A. £100 with a reduction to £50 for early settlement.
Q. Is it cheaper to be in the Staff Parking Permit Scheme?
A. Generally, it is cheaper to be in the Staff Permit Scheme relevant to the campus at which you are based but it is for staff to decide if the Parking Scheme works for them. Those staff who work part-time or who work limited hours may choose to pay the daily charge in the relevant car parks. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a permit scheme at Milton Keynes.
Q. What if the phone payment system isn't working?
A. The payment system is web-based and the car park tariff notices will have a QR code you can scan. There will be an option to pay online.
Q. What if I have a visitor coming to campus? Will it be possible to get them a permit to park?
A. Yes, where possible, we will require 24 hours’ notice. Please refer to the main car parking policy document.
Q. What about staff with a disabled badge?
A. The existing application process across all campuses will remain the same and staff who currently have restricted access permits will automatically transfer into the new process.
We are actively working to increase our restricted access capacity and we have recently been able to secure a further eight dedicated Blue Badge spaces in The Mall at Luton which have now been incorporated into the permit scheme at Luton.
Q. What happens if I visit another campus from where I usually work? Can I claim back any parking charges when parking at a campus where I don't usually work?
A.
Bedford
Staff who attend Bedford from other campuses where they are in the relevant permit scheme must sign in at reception and no charges will apply.
Staff not enrolled in a permit scheme should pay the relevant parking fee, which may be reclaimed via the expenses system upon production of a valid receipt, with approval from their Line Manager.
Luton
Due to the limited parking availability at Luton, staff visiting from other campuses cannot park on-site or access The Mall car park free (unless they hold a valid multi-site permit).
Staff travelling to Luton on University business can use any of the local public car parks (including The Mall) but should pay the relevant parking fee, which may be reclaimed via the expenses system on production of a valid receipt, with approval from their Line Manager.
Q. Can students get a permit to park?
A. Unfortunately we can only offer student parking at our Bedford campus.
Students may register their interest now by contacting carparking@beds.ac.uk in readiness for the new payment system being implemented. Charges will only apply when the new system goes live and they will not be charged retrospectively.
Q. What do I do if I no longer want to be part of the University parking scheme?
A. Please complete the online cancellation form before Monday, 6 November to ensure you are not charged for an additional month of parking.
Q. I am not currently in the parking scheme. Am I able to join?
A. Yes, please contact Facilities and Estates via email carparking@beds.ac.uk in the first instance.
Luton Campus
Q. Where is The Mall Market Car Park near the Luton campus?
A. The Mall Market Car Park is located on Melson Street, accessed via John Street off St Mary’s Road. SAT NAV Postcode: LU1 2JX.
Q. Where can I park?
A. The Mall Market Car Park, levels 4 and 5 (and Level 3 for disabled badge holders).
Q. Can I access The Mall Market Car Park via The Central Car Park entrance on John Street?
A. Yes, however you must ensure you park in the Mall Market Car Park, accessible via the top floor only. If you park in any other Mall car park you will be charged and we cannot refund the cost.
Q. Do I need a permit to enter The Mall?
A. No, you will gain access and exit via ANPR cameras. Please ensure your car registration details are up to date with Facilities and Estates; otherwise you will not be able to exit the car park.
Q. Where can those with a disabled (blue badge) park at the Luton campus?
A. Blue Badge holders have allocated spaces on Level 3 of the Mall Market car park at the Luton campus. These are spaces next to the lifts, for easy access.