Virtual car parking permits will come into force from 1 September when the new permit year begins. These changes, which have been part of a review towards a more technology-based system, will also see a three percent rise in the cost of a permit. Virtual permits are available for annual permits only.

Applications will be made in the same way, but a permit will not need to be displayed. Management and enforcement of onsite parking will be managed through mobile ANPR hand-held devices.

Colleagues can apply for their 2022/23 permit from Monday 27 July 2022.  Occasional use permits will remain paper based for this permit year, but plans are in place to transition to a fully-paperless virtual system for the 2023/24 permit year.

Car parking charges will increase by three percent in the new permit year, this increase is significantly lower than the increase in the cost of providing car parking meaning an average annual permit costs around £1.24 per day.

In order to keep costs to staff as low as possible the university has offset a large proportion of the workplace parking levy which has increased by 7.1 percent, (from £428 to £458 per liable space) in the last year, at a cost of £950,000.

The increase of three percent works out as an annual increase from £78 to £81 for cars in the lowest emission and salary bracket, and an annual increase from £871 to £898 in the highest emission and salary bracket. The average cost of an annual parking permit is £285.

Recognising changing travel patterns, parking demand and ensuring we improve the campus experience for all, the university will – over the coming year – be removing a small number of parking spaces across a number of locations.

We will also invest in additional electric charge points across the campuses to support the growth in electric vehicle (EV) ownership and use.