University parking Top of the class Earlier this year, the BPA presented the University of Sussex with the Parking Management and Travel Planning Award at the Education Business Awards 2019. Louise Parfitt chats to James Brown, transport manager at the university e were ecstatic when we heard wed won. The pride in James Browns voice is palpable, even over a slightly crackly phone line. The hard work we put in to improve parking at the university was noticed [by the judges], and to get that recognition was fantastic. Brown is transport manager at the University of Sussex, a position he has held for the past four years. Recently, the university opened a new surface-level car park, built its first multi-storey parking facility, and constructed an accessible path that runs from one end of the campus to the other. It was this work that was recognised by the award that and the way Brown manages the parking to ensure efficient use of space, especially during a time of disruption as the university expands and upgrades its residential accommodation and general teaching space. Much of this new construction has been built on previous car parks. The two new car parks give us another 450 spaces, he says. I have to make sure we do not exceed 1,990 spaces, which is the maximum we are allowed to have on site, as set down in our lease with Brighton and Hove City Council. W Cash no more For a campus that holds around 20,000 people including 5,000 students living on site 1,990 spaces does not seem that many. I suspect Browns laid-back manner belies a sharp attention to detail and meticulous planning skills, not to mention a cool head for business. Everyone who parks on our campus has to pay, except Blue Badge holders, who can park for free, he says. The campus parking operation has been cashless since January 2018 a change that Brown proposed and the university agreed. I saw there was a vulnerability in people having to carry cash to pay for parking, and in emptying the machines, Brown says. So we dont have any payment machines on campus now. Visitors pay via the PayByPhone app or staff can purchase a parking scratchcard for their visitors in advance, at one of several outlets across the site. Brown says the system works very well; only two people have not been able to pay because they dont have phones. In both cases, the visitors came to see me and I called PayByPhone on their behalf, he explains. Students are not allowed to park on campus unless they have a special reason for example, they have limited mobility, are carers, or are PhD students with tutoring hours. However, the university has an agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion FC, which allows students to use one of its nearby car parks for a charge except on match days. Staff can apply for campus parking permits which they pay for upfront or through a salary sacrifice scheme or a pass to park card, which they then use with daily scratchcards that can be bought in books of 10. Parking panel The new multi-storey car park at the University of Sussex Every application for a campus parking permit or pass is reviewed by the universitys parking panel, which decides 32 britishparking.co.uk PN Sep19 pp32-33 University Parking.indd 32 22/08/2019 11:58