Lancaster students speak out about the new on-campus parking charges

Lancaster University has recently announced an increase in parking charges on campus, with 24/7 fees and automatic number plate recognition being introduced.

Previously, visitor parking was free between 6pm-8am on weekdays, and all day on weekends. For those who chose to drive to campus for lectures, parking tariffs were previously £2.40 for two hours, but they’ve now increased to £2.60 for the same amount of time. 

News of the the incoming charges, beginning October 1st, has received backlash amongst students, including from the Students’ Union president.

The Lancaster Tab asked students for their opinions on the announcement, which ranged from allegations that a flying carpet would be a cheaper commute to uni, to supposed environmental benefits if people start using more public transport.  

‘Campus is becoming less for the students’

The majority of the responses received focused on the financial trouble that the university has been in recently.

One student said: “None of the student body is seeing benefit? Nor depts or [the] 300 staff being let go.” Their comment referenced the closures of many Lancaster college bars and the significant number of job cuts over the last academic year.

Another student argued the parking charges act as another burden for students and their lifestyle, responding with: “Along with all the bar closures, I feel like campus is becoming less for the students and more for the benefit of management.”

‘Thinking of the societies’

The Lancaster Students’ Union’s president, Rory O’Ceallaigh, had referenced in a statement on the charges that those most impacted will be people who park on campus for society purposes.

Student responses echoed Rory’s concerns, with one student saying: “I’m very disappointed, especially with the after 6pm as I have netball three times a week!!”

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Many student groups rely on those with cars to transport equipment to and from campus.

With most societies beginning around 6pm, which is when parking was previously free, many responses said this had been what encouraged them to take up extracurricular activities on campus.

Another student expressed their sympathy towards those affected: “Thinking of the societies who all have massive equipment/instruments to move around rn.”

The Lancaster Tab reached out to Lancaster University Students’ Union (LUSU) for a comment on the impact to societies, but has not yet received a response.

‘Completely unnecessary and putting financial strain on students’

Another large set of responses focused on the financial burden the increased parking charges would bring to students. Alongside the cost of living crisis and rising accommodation prices, many students worry that the parking charges on campus are adding another expense to their university life.

For instance, one student responded with: “Completely unnecessary and putting financial strain on students who struggle enough as is.”

To voice their frustration, one student suggested an alternative mode of transport, quipping: “If I’m in seven days a week, for 30 weeks, that’s £840. A flying carpet would be cheaper.”

‘Better for the environment’

However, a small number of responses did actually support the parking charges. One student expressed that the new changes “could encourage people to use other forms of transport tho, better for the environment.”

Another focused on the positive impact of students travelling to campus by bus, rather than by car, saying: “People want to be more Green… then moan about having to use public transport…”

The new parking charges come into effect from the first week of the 2025/26 academic year.

Lancaster University and Vice-Chancellor Andy Schofield have not yet responded to a request for comment. 

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Featured image edits via @lusupresident on Instagram and Canva