Students hit with £20 charge for car parking after complaints of traffic chaos near Staffordshire University
PARKING charges are being brought in at Staffordshire University after complaints about traffic chaos.
Staff and students will have to pay £20-a-year for permits to park at the university's Stoke campus from January.
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PROBLEM: Cars at the Leek Road campus. Picture: Chris Huthwaite
Any motorist caught without a permit will be fined £70.
It has emerged that the emergency services had threatened to shut down the Stoke sites because ambulances and fire engines faced being blocked by illegally-parked cars.
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It is not yet clear if non-students using the sports facilities out of hours or visitors to the nearby Stoke Rep will be charged to park.
The permits will also be introduced at the university's sites in Stafford and Lichfield.
University director of finance Mark Hattersley said: "During recent years, demand for car parking on our campuses has far exceeded the available spaces.
"The consequences of unlimited demand and the fixed supply of car parking spaces have led some drivers to park on double yellow lines, grassed areas, pavements and inappropriately in disabled spaces without consideration for the safety of others.
"At its most extreme this has resulted in areas of the campus becoming inaccessible to emergency vehicles.
"We have narrowly avoided enforcement action by the emergency services which would have closed the Stoke campus."
The Stoke campus – which includes sites in Leek Road and College Road – currently has 1,048 spaces. But university officials say planning rules mean they cannot build a larger car park.
Members of the Sir Stanley Matthews Sports Centre, who pay a monthly subscription to use the gym, will also need to apply for a permit.
Anyone living within a mile of the two sites will not be allowed to buy a permit. The charges come as students at the nearby City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College and passengers at Stoke Station are parking at the university to avoid pay-and-display charges elsewhere.
First year student Jess Sharratt, aged 18, of Leek, who studies forensic psychology, said: "I come here an hour early just to give myself enough time to get a space. Sometimes I can drive around for 30 minutes."
Fellow forensic psychology student Kate Wood, aged 20, of Hanley, said: "I'd be late for lectures if I didn't arrive early as the parking is so bad."
First year Amy Jenks, aged 18, of Endon, who studies sports and exercise science, added: "I think it would be unfair to fine people who can't find a space and have to leave their car somewhere as they have no choice."
Keele University already operates a permit system, with pay-and-display machines in areas used by the public.
Students are offered annual permits ranging from £50 to £20 depending on the location of the 2,500 spaces.
University head of security David Gray said: "Parking is a problem across all universities and each one has a limit on how many students can have a permit to park."
Comments
by xcountmeinx
Friday, November 30 2012, 12:51AM
“If people from the 6th form and the train station are using it, then thats SECURITIES fault for letting them in!! We have students cards that we are supposed to scan which will lift the barriers, but the number of times they just open it up for you without having to do this, probably explains the mess this has gotten into.
That, and I think students are far more lazy now. Im sure the majority of us could use the bus, or do the dreaded and WALK.
It wasnt this bad when I was in my 1st year!”
by Bossmanst15
Thursday, October 25 2012, 9:19AM
“£20 a year wow... breaking the bank! thats 4 days inner city parking. get a clue!”
by jowilson33
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 11:05PM
“I am a student at stafford uni. I would prefer to pay £20 per year than a month. I need to drive to as its 29 miles one way.”
by mommanoesbest
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 1:21PM
“by King Tut, your comments, "Obviously the remark must have upset some sensitive soul. I wonder who that could have been…" - this was exactly what I was thinking, wow someone is very sensitive, it must be the stress of being misquoted in the Sentinel which has put someone in a bad mood, lol.”
by KingTut
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 10:55AM
“Hmmm, interesting to see that my comment referring to 'searing intellect' has been pulled by the powers that be. Obviously the remark must have upset some sensitive soul. I wonder who that could have been…”
by camband
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 8:54PM
“If you are the owner of a takeaway in Hartshill, within 15 yards of a busy T-Junction controlled by Traffic Lights, you are allowed to park on the Double Yellow Lines -with the two nearside wheels on the pavement (two offences) -for hours on end every day of the week and even when, at rush-hour, it means one lane is blocked causing a bottle-neck.
That's how it's been for the past four months anyway. I'm still scratching my head how he doesn't get a ticket. Perhaps He's a Police Informer? Or gives a back-hander to the Council for the privilege? Don't know. It's very all very strange. In the meantime I keep reading about all these other people who aren't quite so lucky -or in a position to gain such privileges.”
by jimonboard
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 8:19PM
“why dont all the commercial vehicles that clog up the streets get charged for parking. some streets look more like van parks or taxi ranks”
by wood_k
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 7:10PM
“sausagelord
Oh and you! I'm selfish am I, for not driving and not using a car parking space? I simply get a lift, with someone who is going to use a space, whether I'm there or not. Get your facts right before you start calling people selfish.”
by wood_k
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 6:53PM
“mommanoesbest ,
I don't drive! I don't use a car parking space! My friend who lives in Leek (A fair bit away, as you know) comes to pick me up on the way to Uni. That's why I commented, the words he wrote, is not word for word what I said, I even told him I do not drive, that I've just starting to learn. I do not drive. So, how can you complain at me for driving there? even if I did, I don't pay £9000 a year, for them to not provide proper parking. I don't spent £600, learning to drive. To have someone 'suggest' to me to walk or ride a bike. Millions of people drive. So?”
by mommanoesbest
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 5:28PM
“Wood_k, I think you have misread my comment, I wasn't having a go at you for driving, what I said was you have the option of walking if you live in Hanley as Staffs Uni is within walking distance. As you state you live 2.6 miles away so that may be a possibility for you (or cycling) this would mean you get to attend lectures on time without the stress of trying to find a parking space and may end up taking you less travel time overall.”