Car parking and transport
Warwick’s 2017-18 Pulse survey identified a range of emerging or ongoing themes for consideration.
It was unsurprising that car parking and transport to and from campus were cited as real areas of concern for members of staff. We recognise that this is an important and sensitive issue for many of us across the University – the examples below summarise the main frustrations relating to this topic:
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Car parking: “There isn’t enough car parking on campus and we waste time driving around to find a space.”
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Costs: “The cost of car parking is too high, particularly when there is no guarantee of a parking space.”
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Congestion: “The queues getting onto and off campus are too long…”
“Is there the possibility for flexible/staggered working – or working from home – as a means of easing congestion on campus?” -
Public transport: “Warwick employees and students need improved public transport links, whether this is more regular rail-link shuttle buses, safer bike and walking lanes, more arrangements with local bus companies or park and ride options.”
Actions and plans
Extra car parking provision
Having opened in January 2019, Kirby Corner Car Park offers circa 1,300 spaces. The car park features wider parking bays, electric vehicle charging bays and motorcycle parking. The multi-storey has colour-coded floors, a lift, excellent lighting and security standards and no pillars.
Located on the highway periphery, with access from Kirby Corner Road, Gibbet Hill Road and University Road, Kirby Corner Car Park has an ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition)-enabled access system, meaning valid permit holders can drive straight in without needing to swipe through a barrier.
This car park will be well-connected to Central Campus via a new route to University Road.
This project is just one part of our longer-term vision for parking on campus, which will see the vast majority of parking spaces moved to the periphery of campus, with better pedestrian, cycle and shuttlebus connections to buildings.
Opening Kirby Corner car park has enabled us to close car park 7 on Central Campus, to make way for the new Faculty of Arts building. Closing old parking facilities and creating improved facilities around the highway periphery is part of the transport strategy to improve access and egress from car parks for drivers and reduce vehicles in central areas, improving the environment for pedestrians and cyclists.
To provide an additional option for permit holder and pay and display users, Cryfield Village car park has been opened and provides surface parking for around 430 cars adjacent to the new spine route which links Gibbet Hill Road to the new Sports Hub.
Furthermore, a digital signage scheme has been implemented from Easter 2019, providing ‘real-time’ car parking space information.
Read more about further campus development projects here.
Congestion on campus
Congestion remains a big concern on the approaches to campus and particularly impacts those leaving Central Campus car parks in the evenings. To help spread the peak travel, and hence road congestion times, the University has encouraged the use of flexible working where appropriate. Schemes such as Warwickshare (car sharing) and the Multi-Mode permit trial are in place to reduce the volume of cars commuting to and from campus.
Investment in and support for use of other modes of transport is also key, such as improving cycle facilities and routes, and working with the bus operators to introduce new routes and increase the capacity on existing services.
Longer term, Warwick is seeking to lobby for road and rail improvements. Warwick is in regular contact with both councils (Coventry City and Warwickshire County) to discuss transport issues.
The new campus masterplan development, which is nearing conclusion, will propose more investment in making alternative travel options available and in encouraging and supporting their use.
Next steps
The University is working constantly to create solutions to problems and appreciates your feedback and suggestions. If you have any views you’d like to share with the Estates team that aren’t addressed above, please use the online form. Thank you for your patience throughout these ongoing improvement projects.
