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University Transport Strategy

Introduction - Aims & Objectives - Planning - Policies - Existing & Proposed measures - Car Parking

1. Aims and Objectives

"The aims and objectives of the University Transport Strategy are to implement a series of measures which will accommodate the transport requirements associated with the development aspirations of the University, within the context of local and national transport policies. The transportation plan seeks to find a series of measures or tools which the University will consider using to influence travel to and from the campus with an emphasis on using car parking controls in the short term and encouraging staff and students to meet travel demands by sustainable modes such as a greater emphasis on public transport."

2. Planning Requirements

A condition of agreement to the Masterplan and the new developments on the campus were a series of measures imposed on the University by Bath & North East Somerset Council. The University has had to enter into a legally binding agreement with B&NES:

2.1 To contribute £25,000 towards the cost of a traffic management scheme to control vehicle parking on roads in the vicinity of the campus, eg a residents' only parking scheme.

2.2 To fully fund improvements to the junction of Norwood Avenue and Claverton Down Road (a left hand slip road programmed for August 2002).

2.3 To contribute £50,000 towards the provision of a cycle route to Combe Down via Rainbow Wood.

2.4 To fund a secure cycle park at Sydney Wharf.

2.5 To pay a minimum of £20,000 pa to B&NES for 10 years towards implementing green transport measures in relation to the University. Up to a total maximum of £20,000 pa will also be spent by the University on similar measures.

2.6 To enforce the vehicle parking restrictions at the University campus at all times ….. in order to prevent the parking of vehicles outside marked parking bays in car parks on the University campus.

3. General Transport Policies

The University has, as part of the Masterplan Strategy, developed 7 general transport policies:

3.1 To promote travel to and from the University by non-car modes for staff, students and visitors and reduce travel by private car wherever there is a viable alternative.

3.2 To increase the level of on-campus residential accommodation and so reduce the need for students to travel.

3.3 To develop off-site residential schemes only in areas with high quality transport links to the University.

3.4 To promote on-site services (ie shops, banks, etc) commensurate with the level of students and staff on the site in order to reduce the need to travel.

3.5. With limited exceptions, including parking for the disabled, not to provide student parking facilities at University controlled student residences and to prohibit students from using a car in connection with those residences.

3.6 From 1 August 2002 to ban all undergraduate students living in postal codes BA1 and BA2 from bringing a car to the University. Limited permits will be issued based on exceptional circumstances.

3.7 To encourage car sharing for those for whom travel by non-car modes is not a practical option.

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4. Existing Transport Measures

4.1 Car parking charges have been in place for staff and students for some years.

4.2 Pay and Display charges have been imposed on all visitors and short stay users of University facilities. Charges were increased to £1 for a maximum of 2 hours.

4.3 Wheel clamps are in use to enforce parking restrictions. The release fee was increased to £50 from 1 August 2001.

4.4 An enhanced bus service has been negotiated with local bus companies.

4.5 Private coaches are used to bring part-time cleaning staff to the University from outlying areas and from Bath.

4.6 Flexi-working has been introduced to spread peak working time.

4.7 Additional secure bicycle storage facilities have been provided on campus.

4.8 The number and quality of cycleways and footpaths on campus is being improved.

5. Additional Measures Proposed

5.1 The construction of an additional 450 car park spaces by November 2002. A phased reduction would follow reducing total spaces by about 20 per year until 2015.

5.2 Continued negotiations with local transport providers to improve bus services to the University, particularly from areas identified within the survey and to consider subsidising such services.

5.3 Enhanced bus terminus facilities will be provided on campus including enhanced shelters and toilets.

5.4 The University will take opportunities to enhance shower facilities for cyclists and continue to improve storage facilities including secure cycle parking at Sydney Wharf.

5.5 The University is installing a total of 20 CCTV cameras to improve security in car parks and enhancing lighting in all car parks.

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6. Car Parking Policy

6.1 Parking zones on campus will be split into 5 basic zones

Spaces Annual Charge per Space£
West Car Park 100
East Car Park 100
North Zone 150
South Zone C 100
South Zone D 150
Named spaces (current) 300

Total Spaces 2213
6.2 Charging Policy

6.2.1 Staff on manual and craft scales will be charged £10 per annum.

6.2.2 Staff earning less than the current nil charge band, ie £14,356 August 2001, not on the grades identified in 6.2.1 will be charged at the rate of £50 per annum and the charge for named spaces will increase to £300 per annum to partly compensate.

6.2.3 Charges will be reviewed annually. For the next 3 years increases will be raised in line with the Retail Price Index.

6.2.4 Part-time staff < = 0.5 will pay 50% of full charges based on full-time equivalent salaries.

6.2.5 All staff and postgraduate students will be subject to car parking charges.

6.2.6 Staff not paying the full charge will not be allocated spaces in premium charge car parks, eg North Zone, C, D, Named Spaces as per the current practice.

6.2.7 Postgraduates will pay the same non-concessionary rate as staff.

6.3 Additional convenient spaces will be provided for disabled drivers and charged at flat rate even if in a higher priced zone. Orange/Blue disabled badge drivers will park free of charge.

6.4 In the first year there will be no limit on named spaces which will be provided in North Zone car parks once the underdeck is fully allocated.

6.5 With the exception of postgraduates, all car parking charges will be collected by deductions from pay.

6.6 Income from parking charges will be used as a contribution towards the costs associated with an evolving transport strategy. However, it should be recognised that income generated from car park charges is likely to fall far short of what will be required to implement the strategy in full. The forecast of gross income generated by the proposed fee structure ranges between £200,000 and £250,000 dependent upon demand for each of the proposed zones.

6.7 On completion of the new car parks the Security Office will vigilantly ensure that cars are not parked outside authorised parking zones.

6.8 Two full-time car park attendants will be appointed to supervise all car parks.

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