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Student parking

Parking Alternatives 

Reading is a very well connected university and it's easy to get around without using a car. Here are some of the options available to you. For more information on sustainable travel and to view travel offers, please click here:

  • Cycling:   We now have 4,239 cycle parking spaces on campus, 5 secure bicycle sheds on Whiteknights and secure storage at halls.

  • Buses: The University's campuses are very well served by buses. The 21 and 21a route runs through our Whiteknights campus, with buses every 10 minutes (Mon-Fri, daytimes during term time). This route connects the University with Lower Earley through to Reading train station and runs 24/7. Visit the Reading Buses website for further information and for fare information for students.

  • Car Club: The University of Reading partners with Co Wheels car club to enable students to hire a car for as little as 30 minutes. This helps minimise expenses for students and by registering with your University of Reading email address you will receive free driving credits. There are two cars based on campus – one situated at Dunsden Crescent and the other at Sherfield Hall.   

  • Park and Ride: University of Reading students can use the FREE Park and Ride service from Mereoak (Junction 11 of the M4). You can park for free, show your Campus card to the driver and travel direct to Christchurch Green stop for Whiteknights campus or the Royal Berkshire Hospital stop for the London Road campus.

 

Parking on Campus and Halls

Car parking spaces at the University are severely limited, so parking is restricted to those with a permit. Before bringing your vehicle onto campus, please ensure that you have applied for and obtained a parking permit. Parking at halls is also limited and is controlled by a separate permit system. If you are a student living in Halls and you do not have a permit to park, you must not park on residential roads within one mile of the campus.

Our parking permits allow entry to the site; however, they do not guarantee a parking space is available.

Parking at the University is subject to the Parking Regulations. Anyone infringing the regulations is likely to incur a parking charge notice of £75.

Blue badge holders may apply for a free of charge permit.

Designated motorcycle parking spaces can be found at the following car parks: CP1, CP5, CP6, CP12, and AMS. These parking areas are in addition to parking spaces available for both cars and motorcycles that can be found in University campus and halls car parks.

We will begin to process applications for the 2023/24 academic year as follows:

1st July for Halls parking

1st August for Campus Parking

If you are not eligible for a permit, there are a number of alternatives that you can use to get around. If you choose to park off-site, please ensure you park legally and considerately, taking into account any parking restrictions.

i-Permit

Please see the Halls and Campus application pages for more information.

Parking on campus

You will need a permit to park on campus and these are only usually awarded to students with mobility issues or with other extenuating circumstances that meet the Campus Criteria. If you are eligible you can apply for a parking permit using the online form.

The deadline for student parking applications is 11.59pm on the Friday of Welcome Week (Friday 22nd September 2023); however, we can accept applications after the cut off date if you have had a change of circumstances. Applications received after the cut off date will only be considered if you have had a significant change of circumstances. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria, and any disclosures made after the deadline will only be considered under exceptional circumstances. Please note that the Campus Criteria still apply to applications received after the cut off date.

Spring term applications

We accept applications for Spring term permits from the end of the Autumn term to 5 days after the start of the Spring term.

We accept applications from new students, where their course starts part way through the academic year (October-September), within 10 days of the course entry date as specified by RISIS.

We can accept applications after the cut off date if you have had a change of circumstance. Applications received after the cut off date will only be considered if you have had a significant change of circumstance. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria.

Summer term applications

We accept applications for Summer term permits from the end of the Spring term, to 5 days after the start of the Summer term.

We accept applications from new students, where their course starts part way through the academic year (October-September) within 10 days of the course entry date as specified by RISIS.

We can accept applications after the cut off date if you have had a change of circumstance. Applications received after the cut off date will only be considered if you have had a significant change of circumstance. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria.

Summer Vacation applications

We accept applications for Summer vacation permits from the end of the Summer term to 5 days after the start of the Summer vacation.

We accept applications from new students, where their course starts part way through the academic year (October-September). within 10 days of the course entry date as specified by RISIS.

We can accept applications after the cut off date if you have had a change of circumstance. Applications received after the cut off date will only be considered if you have had a significant change of circumstance. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria.

Appeal Process

If you have been refused a parking permit you may choose to appeal to the Parking Appeal Panel. An appeal must be made within 5 working days from receiving notification of refusal. You only have the right of appeal if you have submitted an application by the deadline noted above.

The Parking Appeal Panel for 2023/24 will meet on Wednesday 1st November 2023. The Parking Appeals Panel meets to determine the outcome of any appeals received in the 2023/24 academic year.

Parking regulations

Parking at the University is subject to the Parking Regulations. Anyone infringing the regulations is likely to incur a parking charge notice of £75.

Parking Charge Notice - appeals

The procedure for appealing a Parking Charge Notice is outlined on the reverse of the Notice. You should in the first instance contact Total Parking Solutions.

Parking at halls

The Student Residency agreement prohibits students living in halls to park on campus or within a one mile radius of campus. This applies to both cars and motorcycles. Except in very specific cases, students living in halls are unable to bring a vehicle to the University. The area around the University is for Residents parking only. Students with mobility issues or other extenuating circumstances that meet the Halls Criteria will need to apply online for a halls parking permit.

Blue badge holders may apply for a free of charge permit.

The deadline for student parking applications is 11.59pm on the Friday of Welcome Week (Friday 22nd September 2023), however we can accept applications after the cut off date if you have had a change of circumstances. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria, and any disclosures made after the deadline will only be considered under exceptional circumstances. Please note that the Halls Criteria still apply to applications received after the cut off date.

Please note that Halls permits are not valid in any of the campus car parks. Permits printed with a Hall's name are only valid within that Hall's car park.

All of the University's halls are located within a short walk of the Whiteknights and London Road campuses and there are a number of alternative ways to get around.

Spring term applications

We accept applications for Spring term permits from the end of the Autumn term, to 5 days after the start of the Spring term.

We accept applications from new students, where their course starts part way through the academic year (October-September) within 10 days of the course entry date as specified by RISIS.

We can accept applications after the cut off date if you have had a change of circumstance. Applications received after the cut off date will only be considered if you have had a significant change of circumstance. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria.

Summer term applications

We accept applications for Summer term permits from the end of the Spring term, to 5 days after the start of the Summer term.

We accept applications from new students, where their course starts part way through the academic year (October-September) within 10 days of the course entry date as specified by RISIS.

We can accept applications after the cut off date if you have had a change of circumstance. Applications received after the cut off date will only be considered if you have had a significant change of circumstance. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria.

Summer Vacation applications

We accept applications for Summer vacation permits from the end of the Summer term, to 5 days after the start of the Summer vacation.

We accept applications from new students, where their course starts part way through the academic year (October-September) within 10 days of the course entry date as specified by RISIS.

We can accept applications after the cut off date if you have had a change of circumstance. Applications received after the cut off date will only be considered if you have had a significant change of circumstance. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria.

Appeal Process

If you have been refused a parking permit you may choose to appeal to the Parking Appeal Panel. An appeal must be made within 5 working days from receiving notification of refusal. You only have the right of appeal if you have submitted an application by the deadline noted above.

The Parking Appeal Panel for 2023/24 will meet on Wednesday 1st November 2023. The Parking Appeals Panel meets to determine the outcome of any appeals received in the 2023/24 academic year.

Before bringing your vehicle to your hall of residence, please ensure that you have applied for and that your application has been pre-approved. Parking at the University is subject to the Parking Regulations. Anyone infringing the regulations is likely to incur a parking charge notice of £75.

Parking at halls - Visitors Permits

Students living in halls accommodation can purchase parking permits for their visitors. All visitors parking in Halls car parks between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm Monday to Friday will be required to display a valid parking permit. Permits can be purchased in advance online at http://store.rdg.ac/UoR-HallsVisitorPermitPlease note that we require 24 hrs notice to process all online purchases. The cost of a visitor permit is £5.35 for half day and £8.56 for a full day.

Only those who are visiting a University of Reading student staying in Halls can purchase Halls visitor permits.

Once you have made the online payment please ensure you show the receipt to your group reception team, otherwise they will be unable to issue a permit.

Failure to display a permit may incur a parking charge notice of £75.

Did you know...

that revenue generated from parking permits is used to fund initiatives from the University's Green Transport Plan?

Contact us

For queries relating to car parking, please contact Campus Parking by e-mail.