University changing its parking rules

Loughborough University is changing its Campus Parking Strategy as part of its new Green Travel Plan. In fairness to the University these changes are being made in the spirit of improving its green travel credentials by encouraging more walking cycling, and car sharing.


However, it will be done by imposing huge increases in the cost of parking on campus. From £60 for staff and students to a sliding scale of £140 to £300 depending on car emissions. We have heard from campus unions that many staff are very upset at these increased charges. We have been warned to expect more staff and students to avoid the parking charge by dumping their cars on our streets.
When we presented our petition to the CBC we drew attention to many previous decisions, made by the University, that have knock-on consequences for the local community. This is another decision that should go before the Council for agreement/approval as it will have impact on residents.
In our petition to CBC we anticipated there would be huge rises in parking charges because of the last Government's 'Workplace Parking Charge' Act so we asked that both staff and student car registrations should be collected. The CBC Scrutiny Panel agreed and this was included; yet, at the last moment the University convinced CBC Cabinet to drop the requirement for collecting staff car registrations. SwampedbyCars immediately objected because we knew that at some time in the future parking charges would rise and more staff cars would be left on our streets.


Before CBC approves the University's new Green Travel Plan we urge that they require the University to collect staff car registrations and they be acted upon by the security patrols in our area.


You can read the University's proposals at the following link

http://www.fileswap.com/dl/ABRCMe7/Uni_Car_Park_Strategy_Plan_Feb_2011.doc.html


or at http:/tinyurl.com/6kjtwpy

Whilst we applaud the University's green improvements it has to done with the full cooperation of its staff and students.
[students living in Halls of residence, on campus, are currently charged £120 for their parking permit]