We have received a number of comments about recent amendments to the Car Parking Policy, more specifically about increased permit prices and changes to the car sharing element. 

The purpose of this note is to explain these changes.

The Penryn and Falmouth Campuses are covered by a Green Travel Plan which Cornwall Council requires us to update annually for its approval. This is a condition of many of our planning consents at the Penryn Campus.

One of the actions within the Plan requires us to charge for car parking to reduce single car commutes to our campuses, whilst promoting more sustainable forms of travel. The revenue that we generate from car parking is principally used to subsidise the bus service between the Falmouth and Penryn Campuses so that students and staff can travel for £1 per single journey for the next five years rather than £3, which is the current commercial rate.

A number of factors have influenced this year’s price increases:

o Income from car parking is ring-fenced to pay for the annual bus subsidy, which increases by 5% year-on-year. It was therefore agreed that car parking charges would need to be increased to reflect that
o An increase in staff and student numbers against a limited capacity of car parking spaces;  the intention is to limit the total number of permits in order to minimise the likelihood of a permit holder being unable to park at the Penryn Campus and deter students and staff from parking in residential areas, which has a negative impact on the local community.
During a review of our existing system, the cost of certain permits was considered to be inappropriate in comparison to both local parking charges and the standard permit price paid by most car drivers. We have therefore rationalised it to provide a fairer system.

With regards to car sharing, we have amended our policy so that the lead car sharer must live a distance of more than five miles from the campus they work at.  The reason for this is that we have a limited number of car sharing spaces available and concern had been raised that this provision was being used inappropriately. The new permit price for a car sharing pod is the rate relevant to the lead car sharer’s annual permit tariff.

Although the cost of a Green Permit has been increased, it is still lower than the standard permit price for an average vehicle.

An individual with proven caring responsibilities may apply for a permit under Special Circumstances, which has an appeals process. We aim to grant this where possible, but we do monitor its application to prevent inappropriate use.

These changes to the Car Parking Policy, including pricing amendments, have been agreed, and are fully supported, by our university partners. 

Members of staff can pay for car parking permits through monthly salary sacrifice, which effectively reduces the cost. Further information about this has just been circulated to staff via a separate email from HR.

We hope this helps to clarify the situation and appreciate your kind understanding.

If you have any concerns or questions relating to this message, please email them to carparking@fxplus.ac.uk.