We have eligibility criteria for permits, which helps us to prioritise those who need permits the most. You can view the eligibility criteria we use here.
When you submit your application, you will be asked to provide evidence of your eligibility. Without this evidence, we are unable to consider your application. Only applications made from a Keele email will be considered.
We also have hundreds of pay-to-park spaces available around campus, which you don’t need a permit to park in. Find out more about pay-to-park.
No, you don't have to apply for a permit if you don’t want or need one. Our campus is well-served by local bus routes, and there are hundreds of pay-to-park spaces around campus which you can use. Parking is also free across campus after 5pm and on weekends.
We prioritise individuals who need permits the most, so living on campus doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to get a permit. There are however hundreds of pay-to-park spaces around campus, and parking is also free in all spaces after 5pm and on weekends.
If you want to apply for a permit, you can check if you are eligible here.
If you are not eligible for a parking permit, we recommend making use of the local bus routes which serve our campus, including routes to/from Crewe and Nantwich, Madeley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Hanley, Chesterton and Knutton. Find out more about travelling to campus by bus.
If you want to travel to campus by car, there are also hundreds of pay-to-park spaces around campus.
We will let you know by email as soon as possible if your application has been successful. This may take up to 10 days for us to process, so you might need to make other arrangements in the meantime.
Although we have hundreds of parking spaces across campus, we cannot guarantee that you will find a space on your preferred car park. Car parks at the centre of campus fill up quickly, so you may need to park further away – we have signposted walking routes to help you find your way.
Your permit is linked to your vehicle registration, so you need to let us know either about any changes to your car registration – this includes if you’re using a different car, for example a hire car, for a short period.
You should do this through the parking website here. If you are using a courtesy/hire car, upload the paperwork from the garage or hire company.
The Parking Administration Team will need to assess the change before the vehicle is eligible to park, so please allow two working days.
If you cannot give two working day's notice, please upload the change on the system and then phone on 01782 732000 between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. A member of the team will be able to assess and update your permit whilst you are on the phone.
The outlying car parks on campus will have spaces in them, even when the central car parks are full. Outlying carparks with good availability of space include A3 and car parks around Holly Cross, Oaks and Lindsay Halls of Residence.
We regularly review our eligibility criteria to ensure that those who need permits the most are prioritised. Unfortunately this means that not everyone will be eligible for a permit.
However, there are hundreds of pay-to-park spaces around campus, and we also work closely with our local councils and bus companies to provide extensive, sustainable transport links around the local area.
Enforcement operates at all times, so please make sure you read the signage and check you are in the correct car park for your permit type, as well as only parking in marked bays.
We have a contract with an enforcement company called First Parking LLP. As soon as a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) is issued, First Parking LLP updates its database, and will then administer and pursue any outstanding debts. First Parking LLP will:
Write to the registered keeper of the vehicle issued with the PCN that hasn't been paid
Involve debt recovery contractors if requests for payment are ignored.
Please make sure you don't ignore Parking Charge Notices, as First Parking LLP will pursue unpaid charges, including by taking legal action if needed.
First Parking LLP is a car parking enforcement company which the University has contracted to administer car parking enforcement activities on campus on its behalf as the private land owner.
Please do not park on/in the following, as doing so will lead to a Parking Charge Notice.
Disabled bays if you do not have a blue badge or temporary blue disabled permit which you can display.
Pay-to-park areas without paying the appropriate fee.
In loading bay areas/in front of garages or within bays marked for specific purposes i.e. Pharmacy.
In Reserved Parking Bays unless your space has been pre-booked for you.
In Science Park/Innovation Centre Car Parks, unless specifically authorised.
Roadways within the campus.
Roads with Double Yellow Lines.
On Fields, Grass, Verges, Pavements & Walkways.
Please do not block access to buildings, fire escapes and construction sites.
Please do not remove cones, tape or signage where bays and car parks have been closed off. The car park may have been closed off for safety reasons, construction or the bays may have been reserved in advance for a specific reason.
There is limited parking on campus, so we need to make sure that only eligible people use the car parks. Unfortunately, we have found in the past that when we have given grace periods before the issue of new permits, it has led to car parks becoming gridlocked and drivers parking inconsiderately. As the safety of all campus users is our top priority, we therefore no longer offer grace periods.
We have hundreds of pay-to-park spaces around campus which you can use if you do not have a permit.
The University’s parking guidelines and regulations are available on the web pages and the Terms and Conditions, and signage is clearly displayed in each car park. It is therefore expected that all drivers are aware of the regulations before they park on campus.
We take infringement of these regulations seriously because of the impact these infringements could have on those who are eligible to park on site. Because of this, a penalty notice may be issued straightaway.
If you are applying for a permit but haven't got it yet, we have hundreds of pay-to-park spaces on campus which you can use.
National transport policy and infrastructure focusses on sustainable transport and limiting the reliance on private cars. In line with our sustainability ethos, we would also encourage our campus community to car share or make use of sustainable transport options when coming onto campus.
From a development perspective, the UK's National Planning Policy Framework also encourages alternative sustainable transport solutions. At Keele, we work with our local councils to ensure our campus users' needs are met in regards essential travel and parking needs, whether that's through provision of parking spaces, new bus services, cycle paths and more.
Our Traffic Officers are University staff who are employed to ensure drivers are parking in the correct area and only in marked bays. You will only receive a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) if you have breached the University's parking regulations and/or the permit terms and conditions.
Our team of Traffic Officers report to the Head of Campus Safety, and are not paid on commission from tickets they issue.
If you notice a vehicle that is parked inconsiderately, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting Campus Safety on 01782 733999 with the location (eg. road name or nearest building), make and colour of the car, and its registration.
We require this information to prevent misuse and enable efficient monitoring. You do not have to provide vehicle details when using one of our hundreds of pay-to-park spaces.
