MyGlasgow News

Second Stage Consultation - Frequently Asked Questions

The second round of consultation on the proposed changes to Car Parking Management and Vehicle Enforcement took place from 21 November until 19 December 2017.

This stage in the consultation received 206 individual responses and 5 responses by representatives of groups.

The responses showed some recurring themes where staff members asked for clarification, on the timescales and criteria, processes and permit types.

(Q1.) Why has the introduction of the scheme been delayed until 1st August 2018?

Additional work has been necessary to identify the proposed system’s requirements, undertake consultations and consider feedback and to allow for the legal tendering procedures before a revised scheme can be fully implemented. We propose to use an online system for permit applications and visitor car parking bookings.

(Q2.) When will details on the assessment procedure / guidance notes be available?

We hope to be in a position to invite permit applications in April/May 2018 once we conclude the procurement process. Further clarification on the implementation dates for the new scheme will be provided as soon as possible. Guidance notes will be available once the application round 2018/19 opens.

(Q3.) I was not aware of the consultation - how was this consultation publicised?

A first round of consultation on the principles of the proposed changes to parking and vehicle enforcement took place between July and August 2017. Following this initial feedback a draft scheme was prepared and this was subject to a second consultation which took place from November until December 2017.

The second consultation was communicated via the internal weekly staff/student newsletter MyGlasgow News from 21 November, with a reminder included in the issue of 12 December. MyGlasgow is the University’s central information source which is sent out to all staff and students and is based on the MyGlasgow News site which is continually updated and always available.

(Q4.) What evidence will be required as part of the applications? How will the criteria-based system work? How will transparency be ensured?

When applying, applicants will be asked to give evidence-based information in response to the application questions to support their application and the evidence required may include:

• Status of blue badge holders: A copy of the valid blue badge for the applicant has to be provided for verification
• Personal statement outlining the individual’s circumstances around requiring their private vehicle for carrying out business duties and/or relating to fulfilling their caring responsibilities. This will include circumstances where individuals have responsibilities for the care for children, disabled persons and/or elderly relatives. The personal statement will seek to understand the reasons why the journey cannot reasonably be accomplished using alternative means of transport.
• Supporting evidence may have to be provided, such as line manager’s confirmation with regard to nature of business travel.
• Supporting evidence such as home postcodes, primary work address, postcodes of nursery, schools, care homes etc may be required. The University may request further evidence such as enrolment confirmation.
• Criteria evidence will be converted into points which are used to identify those with the greatest objective need for a permit. Please note that all information and evidence will be treated in confidence and according to the University’s Data Protection Protocols.

Every application will be treated confidentially, fairly and consistently. Points awarded are based on the information and evidence submitted as part of the application. There are no plans to publicise a list of those who have been successful or unsuccessful in their application or to publish other information on the outcome of applications for specific applicants.

(Q5.) How can staff on long-term leave apply? Can new staff apply for a permit between application windows?

There will be exceptional circumstances where by an application may be accepted outwith the yearly application window. Staff who return to work from long-term leave, new members of staff and staff who experience a relevant change in their circumstances will be given the opportunity to apply for a permit between yearly permit application windows. Further details on this will be part of the application guidance notes.

(Q6.) Why are car sharing and less polluting vehicles not part of the criteria?

The changes to the car parking management system aim to give access to campus car parking on a needs-based basis. Whilst the changes may support the aims of the University’s Sustainability Strategy and the University’s modal shift targets in the Strategic Travel and Transport Plan, the proposed changes focus on effective space use and equity, not on how vehicles are fuelled and potential EV infrastructure. The University supports car sharing between staff members and offers free subscriptions to our University JourneyShare system. The working group have discussed the merits of car sharing and the move towards electric vehicles and these may be considered as additional criteria in future application rounds.

(Q7.) Flexible permits up to a maximum of 80 days per year are not enough to enable regular car travel to work.

Flexible permits are being introduced to support those who have occasional but not regular need to take their private car to work for commuting or business use. Flexible permits are not an alternative for those who are not successful with their application for full time permits or designed for those who work part-time. Flexible permits are seen as a means to support staff who have occasional business duties requiring a vehicle (for example running events or travelling on business), occasional caring responsibilities requiring access to a car or weather-dependent car use (for example a regular cyclist who may want to avoid windy or icy days). For the successful applicant, the permits will be made available in batches of 10 up to a maximum of 80 days in a year. Not all 80 available permits will have to be purchased or used in the year. Please note, that this permit type is also based on the scheme criteria to ensure those with the greatest need can access parking.

(Q8.) Will the application system allow to register two different vehicles?

At this stage we anticipate the system will be able to accommodate more than one vehicle (for instance a spouse’s car) but the permit holder will be responsible for ensuring the correct vehicle is selected as their registered vehicle from their account before bringing their vehicle onto campus.

(Q9.) What access to permits will be given for those with temporary illness/mobility issues who do not hold a blue badge?

Those within this category can apply and describe their circumstances in the ‘Alternative travel options for commuting’ section. Applicants who are making an application based on lack of mobility grounds will be asked to attend an assessment by the University’s Occupational Health Unit.

(Q10.) How will the changes ensure that pre-booked visitor spaces are available and how will short-noticed bookings be managed?

There will be an allocation of visitor parking spaces available at Gilmorehill and Garscube, which are available for pre-booking on a first-come-first-served basis. Short-noticed visitors can check the system up to the minute they want to travel for available spaces, however, there is no guarantee that a space will be available at short notice. Payments will be taken electronically during the booking process and spaces can be booked by half day or full day. It is expected that visitor parking fees relating to business use, i.e. if Gilmorehill based staff attend meetings at Garscube or vice versa, will be treated as business expenses re-claimed through the HR Core system.
There will be also a limited number of car parking spaces available for contractor parking to enable contractor access, this includes short-noticed or emergency contractor access.

(Q11.) Do visitors requiring an accessible parking space have to pre-book?

We anticipate there will be an allocation of accessible parking spaces within the contingent of visitor parking spaces which can be pre-booked by visitors in the same way as a standard visitor parking space.

(Q12.) How can I use my car occasionally to drive to work, for example if I require my car for business or I have plans after work and I have not taken part in the application round and/or do not qualify for a permit ?

You could apply for a visitor permit for specific half-days or days subject to availability. Payment for visitor’s spaces will be taken at the time of booking.

(Q13.) What will the income from the sale of permits used for? Will the income support active travel initiatives?

Any income generated by the parking scheme will be reinvested by the University in the care and maintenance of the campus for the benefit of staff and students.

(Q14.) How do the proposed costs for a permit compare?

The proposed cost for the permits would equate to a daily cost of less than £1.50 for Gilmorehill and less than £1 for Garscube. The monthly cost are £25 and £16.67 respectively.

This is significantly cheaper than current on-street parking or multi-storey parking charges.

The permit costs are comparable to parking charges at the University of Edinburgh and is less than the permit charges currently at Caledonian University and Strathclyde University.

(Q15.) How will the University support staff who will be unsuccessful with a permit application and face higher cost due to public transport use?

The University will be launching an interest-free loan scheme for staff to purchase public transport season tickets within the next months. This scheme will enable staff to benefit from savings generated by buying annual tickets and the cost spread over 10 months.

In addition to physical investments to the campus infrastructure the University also offers a Cycle to Work scheme, free cycling training, free Nextbike memberships and free memberships in the University JourneyShare system. The University continues to discuss wider city transport initiatives, routes serving the campuses and lobbying for continued improvement to the public transport network with external organisations including SPT, Abellio Scotrail and the bus companies.

(Q16.) Why is the Parking Plus scheme discontinued?

Last year, the Government announced changes to the tax treatment of some benefits that employers provide through salary sacrifice arrangements, and these changes come into effect in April 2018. These changes resulted in the University having to withdraw the Parking Plus scheme and close the scheme for new applicants. This has happened independently to the University’s car parking management changes and consultation. Please find more details here:

www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/news/staffupdates/headline_565783_en.html

(Q17.) How much would be the fee for the Parking Charge Notice?

The Parking Charge Notice fee will be £60 but there may be a discount if paid within 14 days.

(Q18.) Why will staff arriving by motorbikes have to pay for a permit under the new scheme, as there are no dedicated motorbike spaces available?

All vehicles need to be actively managed when on campus. Designated motorcycle spaces will be formed to accommodate motorcycles.

Questions relating to Garscube and Intercampus Travel

(Q19.) Why is Garscube part of the proposed changes, as there is no shortage of car parking spaces at the campus?

Whilst the supply of parking at Garscube is not under the same level of pressure compared to Gilmorehill, the principles of the new scheme for effective vehicle management and vehicle enforcement do apply. The number of permits available at each location needs to be closely aligned to the number of spaces available and a criteria based scheme will allow an annual assessment of applications to determine those with the greatest need. The number of spaces available at Garscube is greater in relation to the number of staff therefore there is a higher probability of eligibility for a permit at Garscube in comparison to the restricted parking supply at Gilmorehill.

(Q20.) Why has a cost increase for Garscube been decided, as it was previously stated that there will be no changes to cost for Garscube?

We have undertaken a review of all aspects of car parking and vehicle management at Gilmorehill and Garscube which re-sets the rules surrounding charges. We believe the revised rates are fair given the relative pressures on the two campuses.

(Q21.) For some Garscube is not easily reached by other modes of transport, what alternative options are available?

Whilst Garscube is not as well served as Gilmorehill, there are several travel options within a short walk, including train and bus services. There are also active travel routes for those living closer to the campus and Garscube has a higher than average number of active cyclists. Please see:

www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/sustainability/travel/traveltogarscubecampus/

(Q22.) Some staff may decide to park in residential streets near to campus if the cost of car parking rises. Is the University aware of the tension between local residents and what is the University’s position?

The University is aware to the issues of on-street parking around the Garscube Estate which has caused concern from some local residents. The University regularly reminds staff and students who choose to park on neighbouring streets to act responsibly and adhere to the rules of the road:

• Park legally and do not cause obstruction to private home accesses / do not park at corners and/or junctions in a way that could be unsafe for others
• Do not discard of litter in residential streets
• Do not use customer parking outside local businesses as all-day car parking space

Residents who complain about inconsiderate and illegal parking which is causing an obstruction and/or causing danger will be encouraged by the University to contact the appropriate enforcing authority i.e. police.

(Q23.) How will intercampus car travel managed?

Staff should refer to the University’s Travel Policy: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/sustainability/travel/

Permits will be valid for a designated campus (Gilmorehill, Garscube or Tay House). Staff who attend meetings at another location or who are required to visit/work from the other campus may choose to travel by car and they will be required to pre-book a visitor space in advance of visiting another campus. Please note only Gilmorehill and Garscube will have designated visitor spaces which is subject to availability. Staff are encouraged to use alternative travel means whenever possible particularly when meetings and/or visits to another campus are scheduled in advance.

(Q24.) How will parking be managed for areas that are not access-controlled at Garscube, i.e. Small Animal Hospital, Garscube Sports Pavilion, Wolfson Hall and Kelvin Conference Centre?

The University is looking at options for extending parking management and enforcement across areas which are not access controlled and proposals will be explored in consultation with relevant areas of the business.

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First published: 26 February 2018