Monthly Archives: January 2019

Understanding snow clearing

Snow ploughs only work effectively when snow is more than 5cm (2inches) deep. If snow fall reaches this level, Grounds Maintenance will use a combination of snow ploughs and other methods to clear the snow as snow ploughs cannot go over road humps or similar traffic calming measures.

Grit does not melt snow and therefore grit cannot be applied on top of deep snow. Refer to understanding gritting for more information on how gritting works.

Similar to how local authorities manage snow clearance, the Estates department will aim to clear all University of Kent roads and main footpaths before starting on other areas across the campuses. Please refer to the University’s Snow and Ice Policy for more information.

 

Understanding gritting

Timing is everything with gritting. If you go too early, you waste the grit, because it lands on a dry road and is blown away by the displaced air as vehicles drive past. If it is raining heavily then it just washes away. Ideally the grit goes down on a damp surface and starts to stick, but if you are too late the surface is already frozen and the salt has to work harder to be effective but it will prevent big sheets of ice forming.

The salt is hygroscopic which means that it attracts moisture from the air and it only becomes activated when it is ‘trafficked’. When the grit is driven over the salt grinds down and mixes with the moisture it attracts and becomes the ideal brine, a salty water, which is when it is most effective.

Similar to how local authorities manage gritting, the Estates department will grit all University of Kent roads and main footpaths before starting on other areas across the campuses. For more information see the University’s Snow and Ice Policy

Learn about snow clearing.

Car park and road updates

Canterbury campus

Central visitor P&D car park- January 23-25

Number of bays closed to permit holders: 15 bays

Reason for bay closure: to assist the Gulbenkian for their children’s show Hippity Hop

Requested by: The Gulbenkian

Darwin car park – January 24

Number of bays closed to permit holders: 25

Reason for bay closure: to assist Kent Union with companies attending the Student Housing Fair

Requested by:  Kent Union

Giles Lane car park- January 24

Number of bays closed to permit holders: approx. 19

Reason for bay closure: to assist with the Applicant Day

Requested by: Recruitment and Admissions Office

Giles Lane car park- January 25

Number of bays closed to permit holders: 35 bays

Reason for bay closure: to assist with parking for the University Court Meeting

Requested by: Council Secretariat

Giles Lane car park- January 30

Number of bays closed to permit holders: approx. 35

Reason for bay closure: to assist with the Applicant Day

Requested by: Recruitment and Admissions Office

Giles Lane car park- January 31

Number of bays closed to permit holders: approx. 30

Reason for bay closure: to assist with the Applicant Day

Requested by: Recruitment and Admissions Office

Giles Lane car park- February 2

Number of bays closed to permit holders: approx. TBC

Reason for bay closure: to assist with the Applicant Day

Requested by: Recruitment and Admissions Office

 

Medway Campus

Mast Pond car park- January 24

Number of bays closed to permit holders: No bays will be closed. Parking will be in the Mast Pond car park at the Historic Dockyard

Reason for bay closure: To assist with the Applicant Day

Requested by: Recruitment and Admissions Office

Dr Bike free bicycle check-ups

We work with Chris and his team at ByCycle to provide regular, free bicycle check-ups. Dr Bike are experienced mechanics who carry out bicycle maintenance, repairs, adjustments and safety checks.

Dr Bike checks and minor adjustments are completely free. Additional work will be quoted individually but will always be at a special University of Kent reduced rate.

Find Dr Bike at the Cycle Hub by the Pavilion every Wednesday during term-time 8.30-15.30.

ByCycle also provide the affordable cycle hire scheme at Canterbury. There are still some bicycles available to hire. If you are interested in hiring a bike visit the Cycle Hub on Wednesdays 8.30-15.30. These are first come first serve. Hire a bike for £40 per term, which includes lights, a bell and a lock. You need to leave a security deposit of £60 which will be refunded when you return the bike in good condition.

Learn more about Dr Bike and cycle hire.

Adverse weather- plan your journey

As the weather starts to get colder, please ensure you are familiar with the University’s ‘Pay during periods of severe weather conditions/ major transport disruption’ policy and procedure to understand what to do during adverse weather. Remember that weather can change at any time. Be prepared for this before you start your journey.

Where possible the Transport Team will tweet from @unikent_travel with travel information.

Driving
Ensure that you and your vehicle are prepared for driving in adverse weather conditions. Read some top tips to prepare for driving during the winter and don’t forget to plan your journey before you leave so you are aware of any disruptions.

Public transport, cycling and walking

  • Plan your journey, check if there are problems on public transport or local roads
  • Delay your journey, if possible, to allow temperatures to rise and ice or snow to melt
  • Avoid footways in the shade. It takes longer for ice or snow to melt in the shade
  • Always wear appropriate footwear and reflective/bright clothing
  • Ensure that you have a torch or lights so motorists and others can see you when walking or cycling
  • Plan your journey and be prepared for times of adverse weather.

Key Stagecoach buses

We work with Stagecoach bus company to subsidise bus tickets and ensure buses to and from the campus are very regular. The aim is to provide access to super affordable travel for your time at university and that you can get around easily.

26a Grocery bus- Take this bus from the campus or Hales Place for easy access to Asda and Sainsbury’s to do your food shopping on a Saturday morning. Other large shops in the area include Lidl, Argos and Carphone Warehouse. Shops in the Vauxhall Road area include Currys/PC World, Matalan, Halfords and TK Maxx. The service runs during term-time only and every Saturday from 10.00 until 15.00.

Uni1 Unibus- Take the Uni1 for easy access between the university and the City Centre, where you can go shopping and visit the Cathedral. This route also passes Canterbury East train station and close to West train station. The Uni1 stops at Keynes and Parkwood or Darwin on campus. This service also has free Wi-Fi on board!

Uni2 Unibus (24 hours) – Jump on this bus to get to the University from Hales Place, or continue to Canterbury West station and the City Centre. The bus route passes both train stations in the direction from the City Centre to the University. The Uni2 bus stops on campus at Keynes, Parkwood and Darwin bus stops. The Uni2 is a 24 hour service (excluding Sundays, bank holidays, Christmas and Summer vacation). Take this bus to get home after a night out in Canterbury.

Triangle- Ride the new Triangle to get to Whitstable or Herne Bay. Some services also go into Canterbury city centre (check the front of the bus). Triangle buses also have free Wi-Fi and USB charging points!

Remember, if you have the Unirider or staff South East Megarider bus tickets you have unlimited travel on any Stagecoach bus in Kent and East Sussex.

If you’re a new student or regret not picking up the Unirider earlier in the year, you now have the opportunity to purchase the term 2 and 3 Unirider for unlimited travel on any Stagecoach bus for only £180. For more information visit our Canterbury bus page or the Stagecoach website to plan your journey.

Campus Shuttle booking system now available

The new booking system for the Campus Shuttle is now open. The booking system is known as My Mobile Tickets, a service provided on behalf of The Kings Ferry by Mobile Onboard Limited.

How to book a seat

  1. Select ‘Book or cancel a seat’ on the shuttle webpage from your desktop, tablet or mobile phone. www.kent.ac.uk/campus-shuttle
  2. Log in using your University of Kent details. The first time you register you will be asked to confirm your email and mobile number.
  3. Choose the direction of travel for your journey and press ‘Book’. Choose the date and time you wish to travel and press ‘Select’. Check your booking details and press ‘Get Ticket Now (Free)’.
  4. On your Tickets page, click ‘Show Ticket’ to access your ticket for boarding.  If you have a smartphone you can scan the ticket on your phone on the device located on the shuttle vehicle.  If you do not have a smartphone, you can download and print your ticket. Scan the printed ticket when your board the shuttle.

Need help with your ticket? Visit the Help Portal within the web app or email Mobile on Board at help@mymobiletickets.com

Benefits of the new booking system

  • Ability to book or cancel a seat on the day of travel
  • Designed to be mobile-friendly. Don’t forget to download a shortcut on your smartphone home screen
  • Simple and easy to use
  • Provides live data for better monitoring

To learn more about all the other changes to the shuttle including new vehicles, adjusted timetable, and changes to shuttle stops, see our Campus Shuttle changes story

Please follow @CampusShuttle on Twitter for service updates or view these on the University planning your journey web page. If you would like to give feedback about changes to the shuttle service, please email TransportTeam@kent.ac.uk

We hope you enjoy travelling on the service provided by the University of Kent and operated by The Kings Ferry.

Term 2 and 3 Unirider bus ticket available now

Arrived at the University recently? Or perhaps you regret not purchasing the Unirider ticket earlier in the year?

You can purchase a term 2 and 3 Unirider for £180 for unlimited travel on all Stagecoach buses in Kent and East Sussex. This is a discount available exclusively to University of Kent students.

Purchase the term 2 and 3 Unirider bus ticket from the Stagecoach website

For more information about bus routes, timetables and discounts visit our Canterbury bus webpage

Dr Bike free bike check-ups

Dr Bike are experienced bicycle mechanics who regularly come onto campus to check and adjust your bike for free. Additional work will be quoted individually but will always be at a special reduced rate.

The service is provided by ByCycle and is available to University of Kent students and staff. At Medway campus, the service is also available to University of Greenwich students and staffs.

Medway campus

Find Dr Bike outside the Student Hub 11:30-14:30 (Thursday 17 January 2019) for your free bicycle check-up. Dr Bike visits Medway campus on a monthly basis.

Canterbury campus

Dr Bike is available at the Cycle Hub by the Pavilion every Wednesday 8.30-15.30 during term-time.

See our Dr Bike webpage for more information including future Medway dates.

Medway cycle hire scheme (Rent & Ride)

We are excited to announce a new trial cycle hire scheme at Medway campus. The University of Kent are working in partnership with Rent & Ride (R&R), which is an affordable dockless bicycle hire scheme.

When is the R&R cycle hire scheme launching?

The cycle hire scheme launched Monday 14 January.

How does it work?

Download the R&R app. When you log in, the app will show the nearest 5 bikes to your location. When you reach the bike you want to ride, unlock the bike by scanning the QR code on the lock and start your ride. When you are finished, park and lock the bike in a suitable bike parking location and tap ‘Finish trip’ on the app.

How much does it cost?

A subscription is available for University of Kent students and staff. Student subscription is only £25 per year or £10 per term. For staff, the subscription is £50 per year or £20 per term. The annual subscription allows you to use the bike for 30 minutes free every day. After the free minutes, 50p will be charged for every 30 minutes up to a maximum of £5 per 24 hour period.

Users without a subscription can pay 80p per half hour, followed by £1 for every half hour capped at £10 per 24 hour period.

How can I find out more?

R&R will be demonstrating the bicycles and the app at the Student Hub 12:00-14:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (14 January onwards). They may also demonstrate the bikes at other locations on campus.

For more information visit https://www.rentandride.org/