Portsmouth City Council (PCC) has been enforcing our car parks since 10 December 2012. During this period, PCC have only issued warnings – not fines – to those vehicles not complying with University car parking rules and regulations.
From Tuesday 16 April 2013, PCC will cease issuing warnings and start issuing Parking Charge Notices, which will carry fines of £70 (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days) for any vehicle not complying with rules and regulations.
Responsibilities
The University Car Parking Office will no longer be responsible for any payments, complaints or appeals. These will need to be addressed to PCC direct. New signage is being installed in car parks to display terms and conditions.
The University Car Parking Office will still issue permits. You should also notify the Office of any changes to your vehicle, including courtesy cars, and for any visitors to campus.
Permits and parking
All vehicles must display a valid permit – notes and expired permits will not be accepted. Vehicles are not permitted to park on campus until a valid permit is on display. Don’t forget you can purchase scratch cards for temporary stays, which are classed as a valid permit for the time of use.
The car park in St Andrew’s Court is only for pre-booked visitors – staff and students are not permitted to park here. Visitors need to be booked through estates.helpdesk@port.ac.uk.
Pay-and-Display
Some car parks now have Pay-and-Display machines for out-of-hours parking. Permit holders have priority parking and will not need to pay and display.
More information
Please refer to our website www.port.ac.uk/carparking for more information, or contact the Mobility & Transport Coordinator, Jane Sheldrake, ext 2805, if you have any questions or concerns.
Jan Shute
April 11, 2013
In the scenario where my car will not start one morning, but I have a 9 am lecture, and I borrow my husband’s car, get to work just in time for the lecture, no time to advise of change of car to the Mobility and Transport office, give the lecture and receive a £70 fine, because my note advising of the change of car was not allowed, would the fine be waived? paid by the University? It would hardly be fair to fine me to do my best to make a 9am lecture, Or would you advise a different course of action?
K Gaisford
April 11, 2013
Hi Jan,
I have a similar situation and have 2 permits, 1 for each vehicle. The staff deduction is still the same.
Kevin
Jan Shute
April 11, 2013
Thanks, Kevin, I had no idea I could have 2 permits, one for my husband’s car as well. That is a relief. I will apply right away!
Jane Sheldrake
April 11, 2013
Hi Jan
Yes Kevin is correct you can have additional vehicles under your permit number and only pay for the permit not the amount of cars.
However, I always do have to remind people that only one vehicle can be on site at a time.
I know that may sound a bit strange but you would be surprised how many vehicles have been noted on site with the same permit number because another member of the household may have used the other vehicle.
Happy to sort the additional permit out on my return to work Monday.
B. Lackhole
April 11, 2013
Why are we still treating staff the same as members of the public?
Why on earth are staff being fined?
Why do we not have pay-per-use permits?
The current permit system discourages staff from cycling or using public transport because there is a flat annual cost, so once you’ve purchased a permit you get your money’s worth by using it as often as possible.
Conversely (for example) if you usually cycle in, and very occasionally need to drive (perhaps due to a minor injury, an emergency, or having to cart 20Kg of marking home to work unpaid over the weekend), you have to jump through the hoops of (a) finding £2 [and there are no cashpoints in the Norther Quarter], (b) wasting the time of *three* staff members in buying the permit (because the purchase has to be made and countersigned) and then (c) wasting time walking to and from the vehicle in order to buy the permit and put the permit inside it – if you’re driving because of a minor injury, or because you don’t want student work getting rained on, this is especially galling.
Also (d) if you get waylaid by an important conversation there’s every chance you’ll forget you drove-in because it’s not something you *normally* do, so you forget the scratch card and, you’re a criminal and you’re fined £35.
That’s no way to motivate staff to use sustainable transport.
This was an opportunity to solve the problem, not to outsource it and pass the blame on to someone else.
We need pay per use permits.
Jane Sheldrake
April 11, 2013
These changes were necessary as we have to be compliant and meet the new legislation. The University did not have the resources to enforce our car parks and had no alternative but to outsource.
After many months and meetings with various companies we agreed that PCC were the best contractors to employ as they have the most knowledge and experience.
They are not commission driven and have to work within the Road Traffic Act. We have a good working relationship with PCC and we trust this will continue.
No one would be treated as a criminal and realistically the rules have not changed. All staff and students would be expected to respect the regulations and rules as before and if not abused no fines would be necessary.
We have looked at the permit scheme and we do have ideals for improving this in the future.
However, due to the problems our car parks have experienced since the law changed on clamping the enforcement was our priority.
If you are experiencing problems purchasing the daily scratch card permits from your Faculty Office, I can sell these direct in advance to assist you.
Paul Farrell
April 11, 2013
Do these rules apply 24hrs? I attend sessions at St Paul’s Gym after 5.30 and park in car park there, I don’t have a permit but use the temporary ones instead, for visits to other building during working hours.
Jane Sheldrake
April 11, 2013
Hi Paul
You will require a permit to park out of working hours if using the Gym facilities etc.
You can still purchase the daily permits to do so or use one of our designated ‘Pay & Display’ car parks.
Rob Strachan
April 11, 2013
The new guidelines state that permit holders are not required to pay-and-display for out-of-hours parking. Am I therefore correct in assuming that permit holders are now allowed to park overnight? University policy until now has been that this was not allowed. If it is now possible for permit holders to park overnight without fear of penalty it would be useful for this to be clarified explicitly.
Jane Sheldrake
April 11, 2013
Hi Rob
I have answered this in response to the email you sent me earlier but to anyone else that may be reading the answer is ‘Yes’ all permit holders can now park 24/7.
Geneviève Parkes
April 11, 2013
I echo the remarks made by B.Lackhole.
How can the University be convincing in saying it encourages green transport and be so punishing in its rules regarding occasional car users, i.e cyclists, walkers and bus users? I am a regular cyclist and use my car when unwell or laden with heavy student papers transported between home and university. Last February, when I tried to purchase temporary permits from my department for these occasions (to have one in the car on arrival), admin colleagues told me they were no longer able to supply me with more than 1 permit at a time. Now even “better”: due to new rules about petty cash, all permits have to be purchased from one site (in my case 10 minutes away from my building).
We are made to feel like potential criminals, likely to trade illegally in permit trafficking if we do not have an annual permit.
What about the prospect of being clamped when you come to work by car on a Saturday or Sunday for an Open Day when University House is closed and you are unable to purchase permits?
Is this the best the University can do regarding its duty of care towards its employees?
Jane Sheldrake
April 11, 2013
Hi Genevieve
I have answered B. Lackhole and have hopefully covered some of your comments.
However, this new procedure should not be discouraging you or anyone else from cycling or using alternative transport as this is directed at all vehicle users who do not adhere to the University car parking regulations.
It seems that your problem is with how you can purchase the daily scratch cards?
I am able to sell these to any member of staff without restrictions on amount or having countersignatures before handing over.
Restrictions have been introduced to all departments that sell these permits after they have been issued by myself under the financial regulations. This is not to make staff feel like criminals but to tighten up procedures that may not have been followed or in place. Trafficking of permits seems extreme and penalising those that do not hold a annual permit is certainly not our intention.
Please do contact me if you wish to purchase future daily permits directly from myself.
Reference Open Day events at weekends Estates have made arrangements with Marketing and PCC not to enforce on the selected dates and designated car parks will be used just for staff to park.
Should you require to use the car park on weekends or evenings for other events you can use one of the designated ‘Pay & Display’ car parks.
Hannah Gray
April 11, 2013
I hope this means that staff and students will now be able to use the mildam car park properly! On way too many occasions i have drove in and found myself blocked in by cars parked in the through ways and on the yellow lines! This has lead me to have to risk not only my car but others already parked, whilst i try and manoever my way back out. I am not the only person who has had this problem!
Jane Sheldrake
April 11, 2013
Hi Hannah
Milldam has been a real problem area since 1 October 2012 as people very quickly learnt we had no rights to enforce. The new enforcement (well a £70 fine) will hopefully stop any more parking on the cross hatched yellow lines.
B. Fraser
April 11, 2013
Doesn’t this compromise the appeals process? PCC will only realistically accept an appeal on a technical basis (incorrect signage, etc.), whereas if an extenuating circumstance was present it should surely be made to the parking office – who will just redirect to PCC?
Also, you state that complaints must now be handled by PCC. What is the point of any complaints (concerning policy, etc) being directed to the enforcers – who have nothing to do with the composition of the policy and are completely unable to change it?
For example, some of the land used for parking could certainly be arranged more efficiently than it currently is – telling that to PCC is useless because they have no control over such matters.
Apologies if I missed it, but was any research used to inform the latest changes publicly published? Such information might help us understand the situation a bit better (beyond just the change in legislation).
Parking will always be an issue, I hope that the recent and future changes improve the situation for everyone.
Jane Sheldrake
April 12, 2013
PCC will listen to appeals and consider each case individually. They are aware of our policy and have a copy of this and our regulations. All these details were written into the contract along with terms and conditions and Service level agreements.
Complaints have to be addressed by PCC because they will be operating under the Road Traffic Act. Should we intervene without just cause on any appeals the University will be fined for breach of contract.
All our car parks have been line marked to comply with legislation and we have worked with PCC to ensure this as well as all new signage.
Due to the nature of the subject all research was done within the Mobility Office and relevant information was put out on staff essentials since May 2012.
I agree parking is, and will always be a contentious issue and unfortunately we will never please everyone.
However, I do hope that once people realise that if you park on campus and abide by the rules and regulations there is no reason this will affect their working day.
After all, as a driver myself and the person in the parking office I have never parked irresponsibly or abused my position.
And yes I have also spent many occasions driving round trying to find a space to no avail, so I do understand contrary to believe how frustrating parking really is.
Paul Watson
April 11, 2013
Will there be any limits placed on number of permits released. At the moment on most days during the teaching blocks it would seem that if you are later than approx. 9.15 – 9.20am it is unlikely that you will find a car space. This can be especially frustrating when the last space is taken by one of your own students (who may well have a legitimate claim to a space).
Also will visitors be retricted to St Andrews Court only, rather than still occupy ‘visitors’ spaces in the other staff car parks. This particularly occurred last ‘term’, whilst St Andrew’s Court remained relatively empty yet off limits to staff who had paid for their car space, yet were unable to find a suitable site.
Jane Sheldrake
April 11, 2013
Hi Paul
Students permit are limited and only those who meet the strict criteria can apply.
Staff however currently do not have any restrictions in place when applying for a permit.
Discussions have taken place in the past on ways to encourage staff to use alternative transport and return their permit but unfortunately these are still at the drawing board stage.
Ravelin New, Anglesea Rear and St Andrew’s Court are the only car parks now offering reservations for visitors. University house will still accommodate Directorate guests.
However, St Andrew’s court was not officially used until January/February as line marking had not been completed.
Alan Graham
April 12, 2013
Please can you tell me what happens in the case when I take my car in for a service and get to use a courtesy car. I only get to know the details (registration etc) at the time I pick up the courtesy car and this is before normal office hours (typically around 8am). In the past I’ve just put a note on the dashboard to explain.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Jane Sheldrake
April 12, 2013
Hi Alan
I know many staff use to leave a note on their vehicle and some would remove their permits and transfer to the courtesy car. However, this was never correct procedure and our own traffic marshal should have picked up on this.
All vehicle changes will need to be addressed at our Estates Help Desk in St Andrew’s Court in person if they are last minute changes or a temp permit is required.
The Help desk is open from 7.15 am and there is a 30 minute parking bay in the car park that can be used while permits are issued.
A. Question
April 16, 2013
Would there be a charge for a permit for the day while using the courtesy car?
Jane Sheldrake
April 17, 2013
No, not if you are a annual permit holder and are happy to come over to the Estates Reception and collect a temp permit before parking up on campus.
However, if this is not convenient to drivers then a daily permit will need to be purchased first again before parking on campus.
steve oliver
April 22, 2013
The new car parking system is absolutely awful and obviously thought out and implemented by complete buffoons, and is simply an easy moneymaking scheme for the University and Council.
Today I arrived at 7:00 in a car which I have applied for an additional permit for but have not received yet. Where can I obtain a pass at this time as no where is open. I went to get a ticket from my school office at 8:30, but when I arrived at my car it had been ticketed by the Council – who had observed it for 1 minute!!!!
Perhaps you should think about issuing 1 pass per person which can be used in any car brought into the car park by that person. This would also stop staff members obtaining additional passes for multiple cars in their household for one payment.
Jane Sheldrake
April 22, 2013
Hi Steve
I appreciate that not everyone would be happy with the new enforcement and to be fair when it comes to any parking issues, who evers is.
However, I feel calling your fellow colleagues buffoons maybe slightly unprofessional and unnecssary.
Firstly, the University do not gain in this scheme.
All revenue for fines will be paid to the council direct and this will go back into the public sector and help improve the city.
Secondly, the all-staff attached to this link requested that all permit holders familiarize theirselves with the rules and regulations on our website, please see below:
‘Staff and students displaying a valid University permit in their windscreen can continue to park within appropriate bays as normal and will not be affected by this change. However, anyone not displaying a valid permit/scratch card or parked illegally will be issued with a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) payable to Portsmouth City Council.
A valid staff/student parking permit must be clearly displayed on the windscreen of any vehicle used when it is brought on to University property’.
Previous comments above mention our Estates Reception is open from 7.15 am but you did not come to our office and request your permit this morning?
I have also read your email this morning requesting a temp permit for the courtesy car that was sent on Friday 19 April at 13.33 pm. However, the auto reply told you to contact Estates HelpDesk if you request was urgent, this you choose to ignore.
Regarding your suggestion of issuing only one pass to a person, this would not work. The permit can be mislaid or lost and used by anyone that may come across it. Also how would we identify a vehicle in an emergency if there are no vehicle details attached?
Your appeal will have to be addressed with PCC if you feel they have been over zealous in issuing you a ticket.
Liz Jerams
April 22, 2013
Would it be possible to have some kind of ticket machine whereby staff can swipe their staff cards and get a ticket for the day if they require it? Maybe the amount could be deducted straight from their pay to save panicking about money? I do not know if this could be technically possible?
Jane Sheldrake
April 22, 2013
Hi Liz
Our department spent over 18 months researching and investigating the best option for our staff to be able to park on campus.
Swipe machines are not practical and would have involved opening the car parks up on a first come first served basis.
We would have to implemented gate or barrier entrances. This would not only have been costly but would have caused chaos on junctions for example Nuffield in St Michaels Road.
We are looking at alternative permits for staff who may not drive daily but this is at the preliminary stage.
Liz Jerams
April 23, 2013
Thank you for your reply Jane .. I can now see that barriers would be too expensive and chaotic. I was thinking though perhaps of something more in the lines of just issuing a ticket from a ticket machine that could be displayed in the car window .. but I can see that it may be too difficult.
May I ask one thing though, in your reply you say that it would involve opening the car parks up on a first come first served basis …I thought that was what already happened? I have a car park permit, which I am more than happy to pay for, but as I start work at 9.30am I can never get into the car parks, which is fair enough. I use my car when it is quieter at Uni, or weekends if out . I cycle to work every day, but would love to have the opportunity of driving to work occaisionally, especially in bad weather.
Jane Sheldrake
April 24, 2013
Apologies Liz I should have explained myself a bit better on the ‘first come first served basis’.
Swipe machines were not practical as we could not isolate useage just to staff/students. If we had gone down the route of putting general ticket machines in there would be no restrictions in place and the public could also use our car parks 24/7.
Our priority was to ensure our permit holders were not dramatically affected by the changes.
I do appreciate how frustrating it is for those, like yourself, who use alternative transport, (and in doing so support our green issues within the University), but then when you do need to drive you struggle to park.
This is why we are now looking at our permit system and how we can support and encourage alternative travel.