Applying for parking permits and permit types

Parking permits and charges for 2024/25

For the first time since 2019, we have taken the decision to increase the price of parking on campus.

The University makes no profit from parking charges and all the money is reinvested into parking infrastructure and sustainable travel. Because of changes to commuting habits and an increase in operational costs, parking has been running at a deficit in recent years, which reduces our ability to invest in more sustainable travel options.

What are the parking charges for 2024/25 going to be?

Why have the parking charges gone up?

Car Parking prices were last increased in 2019 and have only seen minor increases since 2016, when parking was £2 per day in category B car parks. Since then there has been a change in how people work, with many colleagues now working in a hybrid manner and travelling to campus less often. 

This has resulted in an overall decrease in the income generated from car parking. On average, staff are spending £2.65 per week less on parking in a category B car park than before the pandemic.

Car parking at the University has always been financially self-sustaining; the University makes no profit from parking charges. Because of the changes in commuting behaviour, as well as inflationary increases in maintenance and staff costs, parking has now been running at a deficit since 2020. This has meant that all previous reserves have been used and there is no surplus to invest in parking infrastructure improvements or active travel.
 

What other changes have there been?

In the new structure the daily price has been changed from expiring at midnight to 24 hours from the time you pay. If you work part days or shifts you can carry over parking from an afternoon to the following morning.

The new pricing structure protects those whose role requires them to be on campus five days a week by offering a weekly ticket for £12, a reduction from £14.63.

We have also introduced a two hour time band to give more flexibility if you only need to come onto campus for a shorter period of time.

If you purchase parking for a week or month via Connect Cashless Parking (our parking app) this offers better value. You can change the vehicle you have paid for during that period, so you could share costs with someone else with a permit who travels on different days.

What happens to the income generated from parking?

We aim for parking charges to generate a small (10%) surplus each year as a contingency. In recent years, parking has been running at a loss. All charges from car parking are retained within the car parking and sustainable travel team in EFM. 

Income from car parking is used to cover the costs associated with car park management. This includes staff costs, maintenance, signage and overheads such as software and contract costs. 

In addition, the income generated is used to manage initiatives to encourage and support people who do not drive to work. This includes things like cycle parking, providing the Cycle Hut and schemes like BetterPoints.

About three quarters of staff do not drive to campus. As well as being good for the environment, by promoting and investing in alternatives to car travel, we are helping to ensure our car parks are not overwhelmed by demand. If we did not promote and invest in alternatives to the car we would face significant problems with too many people trying to park on campus and on our neighbouring streets. This would be bad for the environment and make it more difficult for those who need to drive to campus, for whatever reason, to find a parking space.

Any surplus is ring fenced and can be used to invest in larger infrastructure. In the past this has allowed us to build the Cycle Hub and provide electric vehicle chargers on campus.

How was the decision made?

The decisions about parking prices are taken by the University Travel Advisory Group. The group is made up of a mixture of staff and students representing different parts of the organisation.

The Travel Advisory Group has oversight of the policies the University has to manage the demand for car parking and promote sustainable and active travel choices.

When making the decisions consideration was given to how much the parking prices should be in order to cover our costs. The new pricing structure recognises that some staff groups are not able to work in a hybrid manner so the prices have increased less for someone who travels to campus five days a week than for those who travel less often.  

The pricing structure was also compared to the price of public transport. For example, a day ticket on Supertram costs £5, with weekly passes from £17.50  and a 28 day pass costing £58. If you are travelling from outside of Sheffield using more than one mode of transport a monthly pass could cost as much as £82.50. 

The Group balanced these factors and the fact that charges have not increased for more than five years, with the cost of living challenges being faced by staff to agree price increases it believes to be fair for all staff.

Parking applications

Car parks around the University are for permit holders only, with different permit types available. Staff and students must apply for a permit before bringing a vehicle onto campus.

Permits run concurrently with the academic year starting from 1 October to expire at the end of September. You will need to apply for your permit annually unless it has been issued for an extended period, eg disabled parking permit. 

Some car parks are temporarily closed or have limited spaces - check the University Car Parks map.

Existing permit holders can manage their account details via our permit system.

Permit applications for 24/25

The window to apply for a full Category B Permit has now closed but other permit types remain available. Please note that new prices have been agreed and will be in place from 1st October 2024. 

Parking on central campus is in high demand and permits are criteria based. Certain permit types have limited availability and may not be available to new applicants throughout the year.

f you wish to discuss specific parking requirements, including contractor parking, event parking, or if you are returning from long term sickness or maternity leave, please email parking@sheffield.ac.uk.

Frequently asked questions about parking

Help and support

Email parking@sheffield.ac.uk with any questions.

If you'd like your mobility to be considered as part of a car parking permit application, you will need to submit a medical declaration form on the permit system. 

Download the medical declaration form (Word, 49kB) 

Categories

Apply for your permit before parking.

The following prices apply.  However they are under review and may be subject to changes within the academic year.

University parking maps

Car park location map

Use this map to find the different categories of University car parks, including disabled parking spaces. It will also be updated with any closures or disruptions.

You may need to adjust your cookie settings or visit the map page to view the map. 

Motorcycle parking location map

Motorcycles should park in the designated spaces identified on the map below.

The University places no charge for this provision through the issuing of a ‘M’ permit. Premium secure Category A motorcycle parking in Regents Court car park — these are available through the permit system.

You may need to adjust your cookie settings or visit the map page to view the map. 

Discounted parking for staff in multi-storey car parks

University staff are eligible for discounted parking in the NCP on Solly Street (S1 4DE) and the Q-Park on Durham Road (S10 2JA). Follow the guidance below to arrange this:

NCP Solly Street (552 spaces)

University staff can park in NCP Solly Street for a discounted price of £3.50 per day. The following instructions explain how to sign up for this:

• Download the NCP app at https://www.ncp.co.uk/parking-solutions/download-the-ncp-app/,
• 'Create an account', 'Register' an account then add you vehicle registration and payment details.
• In the profile section of the app select 'Profile' then 'Promo Codes'.
• Click 'Add' and enter the discount code 'UOSSTAFF'.
• To park open the app, select 'Sheffield Solly Street' then 'Park Now.

Q-Park Durham Road (560 spaces)

Please note, this is a popular car park and there is currently a waiting list for discounted staff permits.

University staff can park in Q-Park Durham Road for a discounted price of £8.50 per day. 

For an application form, email QGB.Sheffield@q-park.com.