Lancaster University to introduce 24/7 parking charges and automatic plate recognition

Lancaster University is set to introduce 24/7 parking charges and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at the start of the 2025/26 academic year.

Visitor parking tariffs were previously applied Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, with parking outside of hours and weekends being free.

Visitor parking has also increased, with two hours now costing £2.60 instead of £2.40, and a full day rising from £5.70 to £6.

Those parking from the hours 6pm to 8am on weekdays now have to pay £2.50, while 24 hours of parking at the weekend costs £4.

The Lancaster Students’ Union President, Rory O’Ceallaigh, spoke out against the changes in the interests of student accessibility, engaging in extracurricular activities, and concerns over the increased cost of living for students.

In his statement, Rory said: “Across clubs, societies, and colleges, there is a need for freedom to drive around campus to move equipment essential for the running of those groups.”

He further added: “Parking charges in the evenings and at weekends will incur additional fees to these groups, or more likely to the students running them.”

Rory also expressed concern regarding the logistics of ANPR. He argued most fines will be sent to the home address of students, leading to the tickets being increased by delayed or overdue payment.

The post accompanying the statement continued: “We are working to see the return of free parking to the evenings and weekends and the safeguarding of this arrangement so it can’t happen again.”

Parking charges do not apply to those visiting during major university events such as arrivals weekend, graduation, or open days.

More information on the parking changes can be found here.

Lancaster University has not yet responded to comment.

Most Read

Burger King responds after employee who ran restaurant alone for 12 hours is fired

TikTok mum kills family in suspected murder-suicide after videos about them ‘struggling’

These Russell Group unis are letting in way more students – and other unis aren’t happy

For more of the latest news, guides, gossip, and memes, follow The Lancaster Tab on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Featured image edits via Lancaster University website