Car parking policy

Introduction

Car parking provision: 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025:

Summary of the 2024/25 Car Parking Provisions

Organisational responsibilities

Director of Property Services

Shall have delegated responsibility for implementation of this policy and ensuring the health and safety of employees, students, visitors and contractors who visit the car parks, as well as minimising the impact on the surrounding community.

Heads of Schools and CSD Directors

Shall be responsible for ensuring that this policy is adhered to within their schools/departments. 

Security

The University Head of Security shall have full responsibility for the policy and management of the car parks, supported by the campus security team, facilities helpdesk, finance and IT departments. The head of security will work in conjunction with UWL IT, finance and legal services department to ensure any firm or suppliers involved in the designing and development of the online parking portals and materials, including payment processing systems, abide by relevant UWL policies and procedures including regulatory compliance.

Staff, students and others who use our car parks are required to co-operate with the university security teams to achieve the aims and objectives of this car parking policy.

Facilities Helpdesk and Finance

The facilities helpdesk will operate in parallel with the online parking platform to manage the registration of cars/motorbikes, application and issuing of car/motorbike parking permits, bookings for staff and students with disabled blue badges, contractors and visitors, general car park booking queries, cancellations and all other general matters relating to car parking on UWL premises.

UWL Finance is responsible for bank/card processing and collection of all parking permits and EV charging payments. The facilities helpdesk will issue parking permits to staff only on receipt of confirmation of debit/credit card payment by Finance.

The UWL IT department will provide advice and guidance on information security and data processing. 

Parking arrangements – SMR and Brentford sites

Staff parking (cars and motorcycles)

UWL staff with parking permits and disabled blue badge holders can access the following car parks at the times stated:

SMR site

• ‘The Park’ car park, W5 5RF - 7:30am to 10pm Monday – Friday, 8am to 6pm Saturdays and Sundays.

Brentford site

• Paragon House car parks, TW8 5GB - 7am to 10pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm Saturdays. Closed on Sundays. 

To access the car park on arrival at the automatic barriers, use the intercom to provide your name to security. Security will grant access if the details are listed on the reserved/confirmed booking list for the day. Exiting from the car park is by automatic operation of the Exit barriers via ground induction loops or as directed by a member of the security team.

Student parking (cars)

Students can access the following car parks only during the off-peak times stated below. The only exception to this is students with disabled blue badge who can park at both peak and off-peak times. 

Student parking is free of charge and no permit is required. UWL issued ID card will be required by security as proof of identity and qualification for parking. 

SMR Site

• The Park’ car park, SMR site W5 5RF – 5pm to 10pm Monday – Friday, 8am to 6pm Saturdays and Sundays. 

Brentford site

• Paragon House car parks, TW8 5GB – 5pm to 10pm Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm Saturday (only when the site is open on selected weekends). 

There is strictly no general student parking in the above car park between 7:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. This restriction does not apply to students who hold a valid disabled blue badge.

Student parking (motorcycles)

Motorbikes must be parked in the allocated area only or as directed by security. All motorbikes must be registered, and a motorbike parking permit obtained as a condition of parking at university car parks. 

A £10 annual admin charge will be paid to register and obtain a permit for one registered motorcycle per student only. 

SMR Site

• ‘The Park’ car park, SMR site W5 5RF – 7:30am to 10pm Monday – Friday, 8am to 6pm Saturdays and Sundays. 

Brentford site

• Paragon House car parks, TW8 5GB – 7:30am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm Sundays. 

Students and staff with disabled blue badge

No parking charges will apply for staff and student holders of a government-issued disabled blue badge. UWL students and staff with valid disabled blue badges can access the following car park at the times stated.

SMR Site

• ‘The Park’ car park, SMR site W5 5RF - 7:30am to 10pm Monday – Friday, 8am to 6pm Saturday and Sundays. 

Brentford site

• Paragon House car parks, TW8 5GB – 5pm to 10pm Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm Saturdays (only when the site is open on selected weekends). 

There is no guaranteed availability of disabled parking bays, as all parking is offered on a first come first served basis. 

Students and staff with a valid disabled blue badge may use standard parking bays if no disabled bay is available. 

Disabled badges must be made available for validity inspection on request by security staff. This must also be displayed on the vehicle dashboard and in full view from the windscreen whilst parked. 

Students will be required to present their UWL student ID card to security for verification before access is granted through the entrance barriers.

Parking arrangements - Warwick Road car park

This car park is for use by UWL fleet vehicles, VCE members and nominees, authorised PSD management staff with permits, EV Charging, pre-approved termed contractors, loading and unloading of delivery vehicles and as an overspill car park whenever necessary.

There are 4 EV charging bays for pre-booked staff vehicles with EV parking permits. 

No delivery vehicle or deliveries shall be permitted or received via Warwick car park before 8am Monday to Sunday, unless by special arrangement and authorisation by the head of security or director of PSD. All suppliers of goods, contractors and sub-contractors should be advised of the restrictions that apply as part of their delivery schedule, including NOT to park in surrounding residential streets, especially those in the immediate vicinity of the University sites. 

Should a delivery or contractor vehicle arrive before the car park gates open, they must find an alternative location or public car park to wait. 

Strictly no heavy-duty vehicles are allowed inside this car park without the full authority of the Property Services Director or Head of Security. 

Parking times and other restrictions may be amended at any time by the University.

Gates open/close:

• Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 10:30pm
• Saturdays and Sundays, 8am to 6:30pm

To access the car park on arrival at the automatic barriers, use your staff ID card to operate the automatic barriers, if you are an approved user of this car park, your ID card will have the access rights assigned, Alternatively, you can use the intercom to provide your name to security. Security will grant access if your details are listed on the reserved/confirmed booking list for the day. Exiting is by automatic operation of the exit barriers via ground induction loops. 

Parking arrangements - Pillars Restaurant car park

Access to this car park is for pre-booked customers of Pillars restaurant and priority is accorded to those with disabled blue badges. In certain circumstances, this car park may also serve as overspill parking for PSD approved contractors and parking permit holders.

Parking arrangements - Uxbridge Road car park (Cavendish and Century House)

Staff parking (cars and motorcycles)

UWL staff with parking permits and disabled blue badge holders can access the car parks at the times stated below: 

• Cavendish House 57-59 Uxbridge Rd, Ealing W5 5SA. Open 7:30am to 8:30pm Monday – Friday. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays. 
• Century House 61-63 Uxbridge Rd, Ealing W5 5SA. Open 7:30am to 8:30pm Monday – Friday. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Uxbridge Road car parks operate a one-way entry and exit system to the larger car parks at the rear of Century and Cavendish House. Access to both Cavendish and Century car parks will be via the automatic car park barriers at the front entrance of Century House tunnel and exiting is by use of your UWL ID card to operate the automatic barrier at the rear of the Cavendish House undercroft leading out unto Uxbridge Road. 

Users of the rear car backs are advised to exercise caution when exiting from the Cavendish undercroft. The undercroft supports two-way vehicle traffic as it is shared with the neighbouring commercial property whose staff use it to enter and exit from their car park at the rear of their property. Please look out for other oncoming vehicles when exiting from the Cavendish undercroft. Waste collection trucks and larger delivery vehicles to UWL will also use the Cavendish house undercroft for entry and exit to Cavendish or Century rear car parks.

There are intercoms by the barriers with links to Century House security desk to remotely operate the barriers for entry/exit or to speak to security in an emergency.

Student parking (cars)

Students can access the Uxbridge Road car parks only during off-peak times stated below. Student parking is free and no permit is required. UWL-issued ID card may be required by security as proof of Identity and qualification for parking.

• Cavendish and Century House car parks, W5 5SA: Monday – Friday 5pm to 8.30pm or until building closure. Saturday or Sunday opening is subject to the teaching timetable at the site. 

Student parking (motorcycles)

There are motorcycle parking areas at the front of Century House. Motorbikes should be parked in the allocated area only or as directed by security. All motorbikes must be registered with the facilities helpdesk and application and possession of a motorbike parking permit is required to ride and park motorbikes in university car parks. 

A £10 annual admin charge will be levied to register and obtain a permit for one student motorcycle only. 

Parking arrangements - Fountain House (Reading campus)

Staff and student parking

There is no provision for staff or student parking at Fountain House, Reading. 

The adjacent Broad Street Mall (RG1 7QE) has multi-storey car park and is open to the public. This car park is owned and managed independently of the University, by a private firm and currently offers 24-hour car parking at £14. Other charges apply for hourly parking. 

Broad St Mall car park also offers an ‘Early Bird Rate’ for those who enter the car park between 6am – 8am and leave before 23:59hrs the same day. The Early Bird rate is £7 for the day. If you enter the car park after 8am you will be charged at the standard hourly rate. This is a public tariff and is subject to change at any time. 

UWL staff and students arriving at the Broad Street Mall car park after 8am who intend to spend more than 3 hours on-site, can benefit from a special discounted rate of £7.50 applied to their ticket for the whole day, if and only if you scan the car park ticket at the Validation Machine located at Fountain House 10th floor reception desk.

Staff and students are advised to check on all restrictions that apply to these public car parks as UWL will take no responsibility for any fines or penalties issued for parking infringements. The information and guidance provided in this policy is correct at the point of going to print and we will endeavour to publish updates when there are key developments or new information.

Other, local car parks are available with advertised rates. For further details visit the Reading Borough Council website.

Visitor car parking

Visitors should not be offered car parking unless it is essential and requested prior to the visit. Visitors should be encouraged to travel by public transport where possible, unless the visit and requests are for very important University business. All requests for visitor parking will require the Head of Security, PSD director or VCE authorisation before booking by the Facilities Helpdesk. Less than 5% of car parking provision across all UWL campuses is available for visitor parking.

Contractor parking

All contractors and sub-contractors to the University should make their own parking arrangements outside the university. In exceptional cases and business-critical emergencies, university termed contractors who carry out regular maintenance on life safety equipment and critical infrastructure such as, lifts, plants rooms, power and energy, IT systems, access control, fire and intruder alarm systems may be provided parking, subject to availability. These must be pre-booked with the Facilities Helpdesk and authorised by the Head of Security or PSD Director.

All contractors must report to reception/security on arrival and obtain a date and time-stamped parking permit which should be displayed on the vehicle. 

Where parking is for the purpose of unloading/loading goods, tools and equipment, vehicles must be removed and taken to alternative parking areas (off UWL premises) after the unloading or loading activity. 

All contractors' vehicles must be removed from the car park before the car park gates are closed. 
Car park opening times/restrictions/charges may be amended at any time by the University.

Loading and unloading

Students returning or collecting loaned equipment from the university and staff who wish to off-load, or load goods or other materials may be allowed 30 minutes of parking ONLY. Please cooperate with the security team to enable them to support you in this regard. You may be asked to produce your UWL student/staff ID card. 

Staff and students using the drop-off point must remove their vehicles from the car park once the materials are off-loaded/loaded. 

Any abuse of the 30-minute parking concession for loading and unloading may be viewed as a violation of this policy and result in the loss of future parking concessions and/or disciplinary steps being taken by the university for frequent or flagrant disregard of the parking policy. 

No loading or unloading of heavy-duty vehicles in The Park car park is allowed without the prior approval of the Director of Property Services or Head of Security and no deliveries to sites permitted before 7:30am Monday to Friday or 8am on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Overnight parking

Strictly no staff, student, visitor or contractor vehicles should be left overnight on university premises. Staff who wish to use the car parks outside of the published hours or overnight should contact the Facilities Helpdesk to seek authorisation. Any vehicle left overnight without prior approval of the head of security, PSD Director/Deputy or member of VCE, will be deemed to have parked in violation of this policy and subject to warning, ban, reported to relevant law enforcement agencies or other disciplinary measures.

Parking controls and restrictions

All parking on the University premises is provided as a concession only. It does not form part of any terms and conditions of employment or contractual conditions to work or study at or within the University of West London. The University reserves the right to amend, suspend and cancel all or any parts of this agreement, giving as much notice as reasonably possible.

Students who qualify for the use of a disabled space should ensure that they park firstly in a designated disabled bay. All other car park users should refrain from parking in designated disabled bays. Disabled bays can be found at the bays closest to the building main entrances and are clearly marked.

The University reserves the right to suspend all access to car parking spaces from time to time, to accommodate an organised event/activity. 

When the University car parks are full, it is strongly recommended that alternative personal arrangements are made to park in other local or publicly accessible car parks. It is a serious breach of the student code of conduct and staff contract of employment for students or staff to park their vehicles on the driveway of our residents/neighbours without reasonable consent or written contract. Such violations would be viewed as unreasonable behaviour which brings UWL to disrepute and may be subject to disciplinary procedures being instituted.

When the car park is full vehicles are not permitted to queue by the entrance gates, obstruct traffic on the adjoining road, obstruct access to driveways or parking on driveways of the resident’s property.

Waiting is not permitted anywhere on these roads and access routes - ‘The Park’, Paragon house service/access road to NHG buildings, Cavendish and Century House undercroft/tunnels. These restrictions are important, so as not to cause obstruction to other road or car park users as well as avoid disruptions and nuisance to local neighbours.

We have a responsibility to the local community to minimise any disruption to their lives and enjoyment of the surrounding area. 

Unauthorised parking is not permitted on a bay with a reserved sign or coned-off, shuttle bus stop, loading bays or other unauthorised location at any UWL site or as advised by security staff. 
You must not park a non-EV in an EV charging bay unless authorised to do so by a member of the security team.

All private vehicles must be removed from the car parks by the car park's published closing times and certainly, before the car park gates are closed. 

Due to the current binding agreement between the University, Ealing Council and the local residents, security will not open the car park gates at SMR campus after they are closed at the published closing times. Gates may be opened after the closing time for Emergency Services only or with UWL VC, Snr DVC or DVC approval.

At Paragon House car park, some car parking spaces are designated for the use of Notting Hill Genesis (NHG – apartment/accommodation blocks at the rear of Paragon house) and form no part of the University’s parking arrangements. These spaces usually with orange-coloured notices are marked “for NHG authorised visitors ONLY”. Parking enforcement agents appointed by the landlords at NHG, manage these bays, the access/service road and other marked prohibited parking areas.

These agents will issue Parking Contravention Notices (PCN) with fines to anyone (staff, students and visitors) found violating the parking regulations that exist on the site. There are parking notices displayed on the site which outline the offences and parking fines for parking violations that breach the contract between the motorist and the landlord. The University will play no part in any disputes for such fines. 

Staff and students should note that the access/service road, entrance road to the campus, and other hatched emergency access and double yellow marked areas within the Paragon car park, are on land owned by the private company (NHG) and nobody is allowed to park there. Parking on the double yellow access road is unsafe and a source of concern for the London Fire Brigade (LFB), as vehicles block the access road and emergency access gates to neighbouring properties. 

There are additional parking bays along the left side of the Paragon building as you approach Paragon House from Boston manor road. These are secured with protective bollards and chained locks and be released on demand to UWL staff with valid parking permits or pre-booked approved visitor parking. 

Any staff arriving without a valid car parking permit on display on the registered vehicle dashboard and whose details are not on the confirmed booking list with security will be refused access to car parks.

Operational procedures

Method of operation

Parking must be within the marked parking bays and within permitted times. There are, however, additional restrictions to certain car parks for visitors, contractors and students (see appropriate local times and restrictions that apply). 

Other designated areas are:

• The main car park at Paragon House, SMR and the Uxbridge Road site car parks are accessible via physical barrier operated by swipe ID card readers for staff with valid parking permits and students with valid disabled badges or via entry phone intercom remote systems. 
• Access to the main car park for all other authorised students/contractors/visitors and delivery vehicles is via an intercom system at the barriers, remotely operated from the security/reception desk, during permitted and/or building operational hours. 
• Marked access routes must be kept free always. 
• Disabled parking bays must only be used by disabled badge holders unless authorised by the car park management. 
• Reserved parking bays may only be used by specific staff who are authorised to park in these spaces. 
• Reserved visitors’ bays may only be used by authorised named users. 
  All visitors parking must be pre-booked with the Facilities Helpdesk via email to facilitieshelpdesk@uwl.ac.uk or telephone on Ext 2099. 
• Motorbikes should be parked on designated motorcycle bays or as directed by security staff. 

Parking concessions may be withdrawn from any person persistently violating UWL’s parking regulations. 

The University reserves the right to use or alter the technology that it deems appropriate to manage parking as well as vehicle access and exit from its car parks. This may include but not limited to the use of ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), manned/unmanned access control barriers with or without magnetic/chip/electronic swipe access card operation and an online car parking booking portal.

Loss and damages

Staff, students, visitors and contractors who park on UWL premises do so at their own risk. The University of West London will not accept liability for loss, damage or theft to or within a vehicle. 

Driving on the campus

The laws which apply to public roads also apply to the roads and access routes on the University's campus, and all road signs should be obeyed. The University may apply disciplinary proceedings for careless driving or for driving more than the 5-mph speed limit on its premises. 

All motor vehicles must be covered by relevant motor insurance, have a current MOT where appropriate and a current vehicle excise licence. 

Cars must only be driven on the roads and in the car parks, never on footpaths, or paved or grassed areas. Offenders may be disciplined and/or charged for any costs incurred in investigations and restitution for damage caused. 

Trailers, caravans, campers and boats must not be parked on campus. 

Cars should not be left on campus overnight without permission. 

Cars apparently abandoned on campus for more than forty-eight hours may be removed and the owner charged for any costs incurred. 

Health and safety

All UWL car park users agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined within this policy and in conjunction with the University of West London’s health and safety policy. 

Parking regulations and violations

These regulations apply to all staff, students, visitors and contractors to all University car parks. 

Any holder of a parking permit who contravenes these regulations may have their right of access to the car park or permit withdrawn at the discretion of the Head of Security. 

All users of motor vehicles must comply with the Highway Code. 

All users must abide by traffic signs and notices in all University car parks and follow any instructions given by Security staff. 

All information provided on applications for a parking permit, reserved parking and disabled badge must be true and accurate. Where false information is found to have been provided, this will result in the withdrawal of the permit and possible disciplinary action being taken. 

Anyone who has a confirmed car park booking must ensure they notify the Facilities Helpdesk in good time if the space is no longer required on all or any of the confirmed date(s). Persistent failure to notify the Facilities Helpdesk when a booked car parking space is not required and is unused will lead to an immediate ban from parking on campus. If you are banned from parking, you cannot claim any expense for parking where this concession applies. 

Permit holders must immediately inform Facilities Helpdesk of any changes to their motor vehicle details (for example following the purchase of a new car). A replacement permit with the new vehicle details will be issued subject to the satisfaction of all the car park charges and the return of the old permit issued. There will only be one permit issued to a staff member and for one vehicle only. 

Pedestrians and cyclists must keep to the designated routes within the car park and use walkways/pathways, dropped kerb and hatched or marked pedestrian crossings. 

It is prohibited:

• to alter, tamper, duplicate, forge or transfer to another person or vehicle, a parking permit/parking ticket in any way. This will result in the cancellation of the parking permit and lead to disciplinary proceedings 
• for non-holders of disabled blue badges to park in a marked disabled driver’s bay 
• to park in a reserved space if you are not the named individual for that space 
• to cause an obstruction
• to park a non-electric vehicle in an EV charging bay without the approval of the Head of Security, Director of PSD or written confirmation by the Facilities Helpdesk 
• to park on yellow lines (also identified on some paving and car park edges) and on cross-hatched areas
• to double park unless express approval has been granted for special circumstances 
• to park in a location in which a notice prohibits any parking, for example outside emergency exits, plant rooms or delivery zones 
• to park in an area marked as temporary or permanently allocated for use by visitors or in connection with maintenance or construction work 
• to park outside of a designated parking space, for example on grassed verges or on pavements or in a way that obstructs access to the car park or a parking bay 
• to tailgate another vehicle when entering/exiting access-controlled car park barriers 
• to play loud music when entering in or around car parks or slam car doors loudly, so as to disturb building users/neighbours 
• To engage in antisocial behaviour, unauthorised filming/videoing or illegal activities within the car park 
• to leave motor vehicle running engines running unduly or unnecessary revving of cars and motorbikes engines without care and concern for pollution and noise
• to park outside the entrance gates in Warwick Road or The Park car parks before 7:30am Monday to Friday or 8am Saturdays and Sundays, waiting to gain entry to the two parking areas
• To drive or attempt to drive a vehicle out of the car park during a fire alarm activation when the site or specific buildings are evacuating or invacuating, and pedestrians are making their way to/from an assembly point.

Security may stop staff and student vehicles at entrance gates/barriers into University car parks to check the validity of car park permits and UWL ID cards for identification and enforcement of parking restrictions.

Security may stop staff and student vehicles at entrance gates/barriers into University car parks to check the validity of car park permits and UWL ID cards for identification and enforcement of parking restrictions.

Security will report violators of the car parking policy to the University Head of Security, who in seeking to address the matter, will contact the staff or student or the Head of Department/School of the staff/student. This could entail a request to recover any lost revenue for the total period their vehicle was parked without display of a valid paid permit or to advise of disbarment from the car park.

Car parking on University premises is a concession and not a part of any contract of employment or express rights within a student’s contract. Consequently, frequent and/or flagrant failure to comply with this policy will result in immediate disbarment from using the University car parks with or without a disciplinary process.

Students who contravene the parking regulations will be reported to the office of the University Secretary for breaching the student code of conduct and may lead to disciplinary proceedings. 

Privacy notice

All data is held and processed in line with the University’s data protection policy. 

Car parking registration and permit application 

• We will collect and retain your personal data when you apply for University car parking permit or request parking and register your vehicle details at our online car parking portals or with our Facilities Helpdesk/Security for authorised parking purposes. 
• We will collect your name, company name (if applicable) telephone number and vehicle details including registration number and staff/student ID card number. You will be required to provide your bank card details when you apply and make payments for car parking permit (via Independent and secure online card payment processing platform – currently SagePay system). 
• We will use the personal data you provide to process your request to book car parking spaces and to communicate your successful or unsuccessful outcome via electronic or other approved form of communication. 
• We use the data you provide to ensure efficient and effective car park management, Health and Safety compliance (orderly entry to and exit from the car parks and buildings), investigate/report violation of the car parking policy or institute disciplinary action and inventory management. 
• We will advise of applicable fees and issue the appropriate parking permits using the information you provide us. 
• Your data will be retained as set out in the University’s records retention schedule. Please read more on data protection, privacy notice and data retention via our privacy and data protection page.