Motor Vehicles, Parking Policy and Regulations

Last updated: November 2025

About this policy

The purpose of this policy is to manage the parking at Harper Adams University therefore enabling staff, students, visitors and contractors to park in a safe and appropriate manner.

This policy has been agreed and implemented following consultation with the Staff Consultative Group (SCG) and the Local Association of the University and College Union (UCU).

This policy does not form part of any contract of employment or other contract to provide services, and the University may amend it at any time.

Who does this policy apply to?

This policy applies to all vehicle users on campus (staff, students, visitors & contractors).

General principles of the policy

For the purposes of this policy motorcycles and scooters are classed as vehicles, owners are reminded they need to register their vehicle.

The University does not guarantee access to individual bays, nor does registration guarantee the holder a parking space on campus. Parking on the Campus is done so entirely at the owner's risk, the University accepts no responsibility for any theft of vehicles, or any loss from, or damage to vehicles parked on the Campus. The University is not liable for personal injury or death other than that resulting out of the University’s negligence.

Staff, student and visitor driver responsibility

Please familiarise yourself with these conditions to avoid parking infringements that could result in penalties or damage our close relationships with the local community.

The University is fortunate in having designated free parking areas within reasonable distance of all our academic and residential buildings. However, on occasions on-site parking is limited and consequently parking on the University’s campus is a privilege and not a right.

Vehicles should always be driven in a safe manner and at a low speed (5 mph) on University roads and car parks. The public roads passing through the University campus are extremely narrow and are subject to a 30mph speed limit. Parking on these public roads can become an issue of great inconvenience and frustration to local residents. As a responsible neighbour Harper Adams University expects that staff, students, visitors and contractors adhere to the parking policy and park in designated University car parks or find alternative methods of travel.

Reckless driving or misuse of a motor vehicle on or around the University premises has the risk of injury and of bringing the University into disrepute and will be considered a disciplinary matter for both staff and students that could lead to curtailment of parking rights and/or reporting to the police as appropriate.

The University's policy is to seek to optimise the use and security of parking facilities for the maximum benefit of the University community. This document sets out the University's approach to parking on its property and the regulations with which staff, students, visitors and contractors are expected to comply when using University parking facilities. The University's parking policy is in force 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. Any breach of these conditions may result in the vehicle driver or owner being issued with a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) and may result in the vehicles registration ability to park being withdrawn.

Please refer any queries to carparking@harper-adams.ac.uk.

Please note these regulations may be subject to change at any time, staff and students will be notified via email and notices on campus when this occurs.

Access to parking facilities

Members of staff, students, visitors and contractors to the University all need to be accommodated in the parking facilities available to the University.

Staff registration

Staff should register their vehicle using the Parking Registration system.

Staff Permits (electronic), are created when staff register their vehicle details when they join the University or change their vehicle. By registering or updating their vehicle details staff are accepting and agreeing to conform to the University Parking Regulations.

Student registration

Students should register their vehicle using the Parking Registration system.

Student Permits (electronic) are created annually when students register their vehicle details. By registering or updating their details when changing vehicles students are accepting and agreeing to conform to the University Parking Regulations.

Visitor registration

Visitors should register their vehicle by using the visitor registration facility on the University website.

Contractor registration

Contractors should register their vehicle by using the contractor registration facility on the University website.

The registration system is used for staff, students and visitors so that information about vehicles regularly using University facilities can be maintained. In the interest of security all staff, students, visitors and contractors must ensure their vehicles are registered and that details are kept up to date. Any change of vehicle must be updated via the above mentioned as soon as practicable. Failure to register this change may result in a Parking Charge Notice (PCN). Repeated failure to register a vehicle may result in curtailment of parking privileges. Any issues with the registration process may be reported to carparking@harper-adams.ac.uk. Although registered users may register multiple vehicles, they may only park one vehicle on campus at any one time, unless permission has been granted by the Security Department.

Parking permits will normally be issued as an electronic virtual permit held within the registration system or a physical permit for display in the windscreen (if requested). Students should register their vehicle in advance of arriving on campus as part of their enrolment process. Information about the vehicle details and owners will be maintained in a university system in the interest of security and for the purpose of enforcing this policy.

In the event of physical permits being issued the person registering the vehicle will, on collection of the permit, be deemed to have accepted the University Motor Vehicles, Parking Policy, and Regulations. Physical permits will only be issued in exceptional circumstances, for example, in event of a failure of the electronic based system. Temporary permits may be issued by the Head of Security to cover special events, or temporary disabled permits etc.

Parking on campus is free for all staff, students and visitors. It is requested that all drivers park sensibly in designated parking areas and within marked parking spaces where they occur. If a driver has any doubt whether the location they propose to park is permitted or unable to locate an available parking space, please contact security on 07980 061128.

Designated parking areas

Parking on campus is based on zones, which are shown on the campus map available on the University website.

Staff and students

Staff parking is permitted in three car parks, the Staff and Visitors car park, Harris overflow, and DC1 Staff Car Park. These are clearly marked on the map and have been designated the Red Zone.

Student parking is permitted in five car parks Harris, Pitch side, Gloucester, QMH and Soil Hall including the area around Jebb, Darwin, Darby and Silcock accommodation blocks. These areas are clearly marked on the map and have been designated the Yellow Zone.

Both Staff and Students may park in the Blue Zones which include the South side of campus parking areas and AEIC, Bamford Library and Weston car parks on the North side.

Visitors

Visitors are requested to park in the designated and marked visitor spaces on the top row of the staff and visitor’s car park (the car park nearest reception).

In the event of all visitor spaces being occupied visitors may park in any zone on campus as long as registered.

Visitors to the University for overnight conferences, short courses etc. may park their vehicles on site and will be provided with a permit/electronic registration, by the Short Course and Conference Office, or hosting department as part of their joining instructions.

It is the responsibility of the Harper Adams University staff hosting visitors to ensure the visitors are made aware of the University’s Parking policy, in particular the need to park in appropriate parking bays. Hosting staff are also responsible for providing their visitor with the information of how to register their vehicle.

The University will not waiver Parking Charge Notices (PCN) given to visitors for not registering their vehicle details or for not parking in accordance with these conditions.

Contractors/deliveries

Contractors are deemed as persons paid to work at the campus by a third party or are delivering or collecting goods from the University and are not directly employed by the University. Contractors are required to comply with the Contractors Rules and Regulations in force at the time of their visit, details of which will be provided by the University’s Estates department during the booking in procedure.

Harper Adams Liveried Vehicles

Harper Adams Liveried Vehicles are required to comply with the University’s Parking Policy. This allows for the parking of Liveried Vehicles outside of marked bays, but only for the purpose of carrying out University duties that genuinely require the vehicle to be parked close to a place of work, and only when a Liveried Vehicle Bay or General Parking Bay is not available within a reasonable distance of the place of work.

Blue Badge Holders

Staff, students or visitors with a recognised Blue Badge (which should be displayed), have the opportunity to park in any of the designated blue badge holder bays around the University if they wish. If anyone has a short term need to park closer to certain buildings, they can be issued with a temporary Harper Adams disabled permit.

Staff are encouraged to speak with the Human Resources department if they require additional support to ensure their needs are met.

Students are encouraged to speak with the Learner Support department if they require additional support to ensure their needs are met.

Electric Vehicles

Electric charging bays are reserved for the charging of electric vehicles. Charging points are provided for the purpose of enabling drivers to ‘top-up’.

Please note we have a limited number of EV charging points and cannot guarantee that one will be available during your visit, as this is dependent on demand.

Occasional restriction of access

Please note that on occasions car parks may be required for University events such as Open Days, Graduation, Careers Fairs, Students' Union Balls or Short Courses requirements. On these special occasions car parks or spaces on certain car parks may have restricted parking. Please take note, and adhere to closures when they occur.

In such cases, the Security Department and the Student Services office will be responsible for the communication of car park closures and alternative arrangements for parking. This will not impact on the provision of disabled parking spaces.

Where parking is not permitted

Parking is not permitted on/in the following:

marked disabled parking spaces without the appropriate documentation as listed above.
designated coach bays.
designated service bays.
hatched marked areas.
grassed areas (unless authorised by the grounds department).
the end of marked rows on car parks.
Caynton Road or Flatt Road.
University service roads (for example, outside the Foulkes Crowther Building, Gloucester Hall, Food Academy, Graduate Centre, around Weston car park).

The University reserves the right to take appropriate action, when necessary, with any vehicle, or its apparatus, causing obstruction, nuisance, or danger. This list is not exhaustive and is intended for guidance only, if breaches occur a PCN may be issued.

University facilities must not be used to store vehicles which are subject to a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN); or for any reason unconnected with work or study at Harper Adams. In such circumstances, the University reserves the right to take relevant enforcement action.

Please park sensibly considering all other road users.

Enforcement

Parking Enforcement operations within the campus will be undertaken in accordance with the International Parking Community (IPC) current code of practice. The University will use Automatic Number Plate Recognition to check vehicles parked on campus. Photographic evidence of any inappropriate parking will be gathered by nominated University staff, and warning tickets or Parking Charge Notices will be issued for breaches of the regulations by either a member of security staff, or by a member of Staff permitted to issue PCN’s.

The PCN gives the driver details of the breach and an opportunity to discharge the debt (the parking contravention charge) by payment to the nominated Parking Enforcement Contractor.

The PCN may be issued by nominated University staff, however, all follow up action including payment collection and appeal management is dealt with by Harper Adams University’s nominated Parking Enforcement Contractor, details of which can be found on the PCN.

A parking contravention charge of £60 will be levied against those parking on the campus other than in accordance with the University’s conditions, however this will be reduced by 50% if paid within fourteen calendar days of the notice being issued.

When infringements are considered to be of a serious nature including, but not restricted to, parking in a location that compromises the safety of others and the non-payment of outstanding Parking Contravention Charges, the University reserves the right to address them by any actions lawfully available to it at the time.

Revenue received by the University from parking charges may be used to fund the University’s Parking arrangements and other transport measures associated with the University, for example shuttle bus. Any revenue received not used for this purpose will be transferred to the Student or Staff Hardship Fund.

The University and its nominated Parking Enforcement Contractor reserve the right to contact the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to obtain the registered keeper’s details of any vehicles parked on University property. Should the driver of a car issued with a PCN not be identifiable, then the Parking Charge Notice will be issued to the vehicle owner.

Appeals relating to Parking Charge Notice

In the event of a dispute over the issue of a Parking Charge Notice, the driver has a right of appeal via the nominated Parking Enforcement Contractor; full details can be found on the Parking Charge Notice.

If the driver is unhappy with the decision of the nominated Parking Enforcement Contractor, they can also appeal through IAS (Independent Appeals Service) provided by funding from the parking industry.

Should any member of staff or student use physical or verbal abuse towards staff undertaking traffic control measures they will be dealt with in line with the Universities Respect Policy.

Complaints against Enforcement Process

In addition to the appeals process operated by the Parking Enforcement Company. The Security Department will deal with process parking complaints and will deal with them within 5 working days.

In the first instance complaints should be raised in writing to carparking@harper-adams.ac.uk who will attempt to resolve the complaint informally.

The complaint will be investigated, and the complainant will be updated regularly on its progress.

If the complaint is not resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant, he/she may request a meeting with the Head of Security.

The Vice-Chancellor, or an authorised member of staff, reserves the right to withdraw permission at any time for a student or staff member to use a motor vehicle on University premises.

Associated documents

This procedure should be read in conjunction with the following documents:

University Respect Policy
Student Conduct & Discipline Policy
Contract with the enforcement company
Contractors rules and regulations

Implementation

The policy will be disseminated to staff, students, visitors and contractors through internal communication channels.

Monitoring and review

The application of this policy will be monitored as followed:

Biannually by Head of Security, Head of Student Services, HR representative, Health & Safety representative to propose any policy or procedural amendments.

References and bibliography

Document control

Document Type: All staff, student, and visitor policy

Version: 1.1

Date of issue: November 2025

Renewal by: May 2026

Lead Executive: COO

Post responsible for update: Security and Portering Manager

Approval Committee: Staff Consultative Group (SCG), Local Association of the University and College Union (UCU)