Fury over parking near to university
Residents this week blamed Stirling University’s new bus hub for adding to parking problems surrounding the campus.
The new £1.1million hub opened this month with the aim of providing easier access to the Logie lecture theatre, Stirling Court Hotel and the new INTO building.
However, neighbouring residents feel that the hub has added to the parking space shortage on the campus and resulted in more staff and students parking in areas surrounding the university.
Residents say access to their homes is restricted because of cars parked along Hillfoots Road, Wallace Monument, Logie Road and the Logie Kirk car park.
Some drivers are also ignoring the no-entry sign and parking on both sides of the road at Spittal Hill.
“These drivers are parking wherever they think they can get away with it, regardless of how the people who live here are affected”, said one resident.
“Some of this parking is downright dangerous and inconsiderate.”
Some of those living in the area do not have their own driveways and instead rely on Hillfoots Road for parking.
After speaking to the council, the resident was told that they “do not provide residents’ parking for outlying areas” despite the area being within city limits.
She added: “Why should we be inconvenienced and forced to pay to park near our own homes because the university wants to make access easier for its students and staff and increase its revenue by charging for car parking on campus?”, fumed the resident
University bosses introduced parking charges for all visitors in 2012 but permits do not guarantee drivers a space on the campus.
The university states that the charges are not-for-profit but to fund ‘alternative travel initiatives’ such as car sharing and a new shuttle bus service for students.
A spokesperson for the university said: “Our south car park has been extended to fully offset those spaces lost on surrounding roadways and within the area now comprising the new bus hub itself.”
They added: “As part of the university’s ongoing commitment to promoting sustainable travel and reducing our carbon footprint, we have expanded bike parking, continued to support free use of the Liftshare personal travel planning service and free subscription for the Nextbike rental service.
“We have also promoted discounts – and introduced mTicketing and contactless card payments – on First Group bus services.
Two Car Club cars, available for hire on campus, have also been introduced.
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