University Calendar 2007/08
Section IV : General Regulations
Vehicles and Bicycles



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SECTION X
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Regulations for the Registration and Parking of Motor Vehicles

All vehicles and bicycles are brought onto University sites at the owner's risk and the University undertakes no responsiblity for their safety and security.

The University is an independent institution incorporated under Royal Charter and is empowered under that Charter to make Regulations and to do all such acts and things as may be requisite to further the objects of the University as a place of education and learning. The University's premises are inadequate to provide for all vehicles which staff, students and visitors might wish to bring to the University and the University Council has approved the following Regulations in order to ensure orderly and in so far as it may be possible equitable use of vehicles allowed under licence whether real or implied to enter the University's premises.

Definitions

The following terms shall have the meanings specified:

'Premises'
  means any land or buildings in University ownership or under the control of the University including land or buildings occupied by private individuals or companies whether as tenants or licensees.
'Land'
  means any ground owned or controlled by the University whether open space, car parks, roads, footpaths or covered by buildings of any kind.
'Halls of Residence'
  means University premises (other than private houses) provided for the accommodation of students and staff whether or not board is also provided (including Bassett House but excluding Shaftesbury Avenue, Tasmin Court at Ocean Village and Erasmus Park at Winchester).
'Sports grounds'
  means those lands at Wide Lane and at the Boat Hard at Monks Brook which are in University ownership and are used by staff or students.
'Staff'
  means any or all employees of the University of Southampton; employees of University lessees; and employees of the Natural Environment Research Council at National Oceanography Centre, Southampton.
'Students'
  means any or all students registered for courses of study in the University whether on a full-time or part-time basis. Students will not be entitled to claim other parking rights due, for example, to secondary employment since their primary purpose for attending the University defines their status as students.
'Contractor'
  means any person or firm that contracts to supply materials, labour or a service to the University and includes any firm or person sub-contracted to do so.
'Visitor'
  means anyone other than staff or students with a bona fide reason for visiting the University but not any contractor or employee of a company based on the University's academic sites where the employee or company has agreed to abide by these Regulations. Without affecting the generality of the foregoing but for the avoidance of doubt "visitor" covers any member of the University as defined in Statutes Section 2 other than staff and students and retired staff who are receiving remuneration from the University.
'Disabled'
  in the car parking context, means any blue badge holder.
'Motor vehicle'
  means a mechanically or electrically propelled vehicle with two or more wheels but not a pedal cycle unless an engine of any kind has been fitted thereto.
'Motor car'
  means a mechanically or electrically propelled vehicle with three or more wheels but not a pedal tricycle unless an engine of any kind has been fitted thereto.
'City boundaries'
  means the boundaries of the local government area administered by the Southampton City Council.
'Permit'
  means a document issued by the Estates and Facilities Department for the authorised parking of a motor vehicle.
'Relevant'
  means appropriate for the site and valid for the time when used.

1. Background

Parking policy, parking regulations and enforcement are reviewed annually and revisions are agreed by the University Executive Group on the recommendation of the Registrar and Chief Operating Officer after consultation. The regulations apply to staff, students, contractors and visitors. The regulations apply to all University academic sites. Any infringement of the Regulations may lead to disciplinary or other steps being taken by the University against any member of staff or student concerned. Visitors contravening the regulations shall if possible be warned and have their attention drawn to the Regulations. The Regulations form part of the application for the issue of a parking permit and applicants are required to sign an undertaking to abide by and observe these regulations. The Regulations are in the Calendar on the University's web site.

2. General

All users of vehicles and bicycles on University sites must comply with traffic signs and notices, whether permanent or temporary and comply with instructions given by staff. Continuous parking of vehicles between 23.00 hours and 06.00 hours on academic sites is not allowed unless the Campus Services Administration Manager has given express permission. Motor vehicles must be parked in designated parking areas and in clearly marked parking spaces on University sites. Each vehicle must not occupy more than one parking space unless the Campus Services Administration Manager has given approval. Only disabled drivers, or drivers with disabled passengers, are allowed to park vehicles in spaces reserved and marked for the use of disabled persons. Any student bringing a motor vehicle within the City boundaries must provide details of their vehicle at the time of registration for his/her course or within seven days of acquiring the vehicle.

3. Parking Permits

All motor cars on University academic sites must display a valid parking permit on the front windscreen from 0800 hours unless parking in the Pay and Display or the Visitors' Car Park. A parking permit will be invalidated if the vehicle is not displaying a current vehicle tax disc. Parking without a valid parking permit is permitted, however, at weekends and from 18.00 hours (16.00 hours at Avenue Campus) to 24.00 hours on Monday to Friday. The issue of a parking permit does not guarantee a parking space. It is the University's policy to issue more permits than there are spaces available. No permit will be issued to anyone who has an outstanding fine. All information provided to Estates and Facilities on application forms must be true and accurate. Permit holders must immediately inform Estates and Facilities of any changes in their details such as car registration number and address. It is prohibited to alter, tamper, duplicate or forge a parking permit in any way. It is also prohibited to transfer a permit to another vehicle, which is not owned or used by the permit holder. Holders of parking permits are not allowed to park in spaces reserved and marked for the use of official vehicles, designated office holders, visitors, taxis or spaces reserved by bollards. Only permit holders who a permit overstamped 'Gower' are allowed to park in the the Gower Car Park to the north of Salisbury Road and in the overspill area which is located in that part of the Upper Nuffield Car Park which is immediately adjacent to the Nightingale Building. Permits must be returned to Estates and Facilities if holders cease working or studying at the University or if the permits are no longer required. The University reserves the right to refuse permit holders access to spaces in car parks from time to time, in order to accommodate bona fide visitors and special events. Student permits do not allow parking at Boldrewood or Winchester School of Art except when a special case has been approved or the student is disabled.

4. Car Share Permits

Members of staff may opt to share permits but only one car per permit may be parked on Campus at any one time. The principal applicant is responsible for payment of the fee.

5. Rules for Motor Cycles

Two-wheeled vehicles do not require parking permits but must be parked only in parking areas designated for such vehicles. Motor cycles, motor scooters and mopeds must not be driven along any road or in any car park on the Highfield site other than for the express purpose of parking in an area designated for such vehicles and then only by the shortest route possible from the public highway.

6. Visitors

Visitors to Highfield may use the Pay and Display car park or the Visitors' Car Park, if their host School or Department has pre-booked a space. It is the host's responsibility to apprise the visitor beforehand of the University's parking arrangements and regulations. Otherwise, visitors to all Campuses may be provided with a one-day only visitor's permit, which should be hung from the rear view mirror with the appropriate date scratched off when the vehicle is properly parked on Campus. No visitor has a legal right to park on University academic sites and must not do so if appropriate provision has not been made.

7. Contractors

In order to park at the University a contractor must display a parking permit, obtained from Estates and Facilities Reception.

8. Enforcement of the Car Parking Regulations

Security Services and Campus Services enforce the parking regulations under the direction of the Director of Estates and Facilities.

9. Parking Offences

Contravention of the regulations will occur in the following situations:
  • Failure to display a current car parking permit
  • Causing an unnecessary obstruction
  • Parking on double yellow lines or in a reserved or restricted area
  • Parking in a disabled bay without an appropriate permit or in an access route
  • Parking overnight on site without permission from the Campus Services Administration Manager.
  • Parking in an unmarked area of a designated car park
  • Failure to conform to traffic signs and notices
  • Failure to conform to pay and display notices
10. Penalties

The University offenders against the Regulations may be fined a sum of £25, or £50 for a serious offence. Fines must be paid within twenty working days from the date of the fine being issued by the Campus Services Administration Manager. A discount of £10, however, is given on fines paid within ten working days of the fine being issued. Holders of parking permits who park vehicles in spaces reserved and marked for the use of disabled persons may have their permits summarily withdrawn at the discretion of the Director of Estates and Facilities. In such circumstances, a pro-rata reimbursement of the charge made for the permit is claimable. Wheel clamps and/or adhesive notices may be affixed to any vehicle parked in disregard of the Regulations and a charge will be made for removal of any wheelclamps as advertised on the contractor's signage. The University reserves the right to have removed from the University grounds any motor vehicle parked in contravention of the Regulations. The University has the right to recover from an offender any legal or administrative costs incurred by the University in connection with his or her offence in addition to, or instead of, any fine imposed under the Regulations. Nothing in the Regulations shall in any way inhibit or restrict the University initiating proceedings in the courts whether against a member of staff or a student or a visitor if at the discretion of the Registrar and Chief Operating Officer the nature of the offence or the series of offences is such as to justify that course of action.

11. Appeals Procedure

The grounds for the fine will be clearly stated on the ticket. Such grounds will allow appeals to be made if the facts relating to the offence can be demonstrated to be materially incorrect or inaccurate or if exceptional circumstances were prevailing at the time of the offence. There is a period of ten working days after the issue of the ticket during which the driver may appeal against the fine. The Campus Services Administration Manager (CSAM) will consider appeals against fines. The CSAM has the power to waive the fine, reduce the level of a fine, or confirm a fine. If the fine is confirmed, it must be paid within twenty days of receiving confirmation of the fine. In the event that the appellant is dissatisfied with the Campus Services Administration Manager's findings, a further appeal may be made to the Director of Estates and Facilities. If the fine is confirmed, it must be paid within twenty days of receiving confirmation of the fine.

12. Failure to Pay a Fine

In the event of an offender being a member of staff and within the prescribed period failing to pay a fine properly imposed or to reimburse the University's expenses, that sum or sums will be deducted from the offender's salary. In the event of an offender being a student and within the prescribed period failing to pay a fine properly imposed or to reimburse the University's expenses, then the University will treat the sums or sums involved as any other debt to the University thereby preventing the student obtaining any University qualification whatsoever until such time as the debt is discharged in accordance with the provisions of Ordinances.


USE AND PARKING OF BICYCLES

(Applicable both to students and to staff who are hereby notified that all bicycles parked on University land are parked there at their owners' risk.)
  1. Cyclists are required to observe and to comply with the regulations concerning the movement of traffic on the University sites, including those relating to the one-way system on the Highfield Site.

  2. Cycling on footpaths and grassed areas on the University sites is prohibited.

  3. Bicycles do not require parking permits.

  4. Whenever possible, bicycles should be parked in designated areas where clips, stands or other facilities are provided. Under no circumstances may bicycles be taken into buildings or parked where they are liable to cause obstruction, e.g. near ramps for use by disabled people or at entrances to buildings.

  5. Bicycles which are found in buildings or parked where they are liable to cause obstruction may be removed or impounded. Security chains and other devices will be cut if necessary. A charge shall be made for the recovery of an impounded bicycle. The maximum charge shall be authorised by the University Executive Group from time to time.

  6. Cases of non-compliance with the above regulations may result in offences being referred to the Registrar and Chief Operating Officer who will take appropriate action.


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Submitted by the Secretariat
Last reviewed: 05-Mar-2008
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