Author Archives: Kelsey Laidler-Symes

Planning your Journey: during adverse weather

As the weather is beginning to get colder, it is important that you understand what to do during adverse weather. The Transport Team’s Travel During Adverse Weather page has been updated with relevant information to ensure you know what to do if adverse weather occurs.

The team have also created a Top tips to help you plan your journey in advance of travelling in snow, ice, high winds and torrential rain to ensure you are always prepared for travel disruption and are winter ready. In addition, the Transport Team’s Planning your Journey pages are updated regularly with useful journey planning tools and advice to assist you. Remember the weather can change at any time, you should be prepared for this before you start your journey.

Where possible the Transport Team will endeavour to keep the @unikent_travel twitter feed updated with all transport information and any travel disruptions on or around our campuses.

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. Think Be Bright Be Seen.

Other Useful Links:

COVID-19 Update (30/11/21): The UK rules have changed

Following the updated Government guidance in response to the new Covid-19 variant, there are some changes to the rules in the UK.

From Today (Tuesday 30 November 2021): 

  • Face coverings are a legal requirement in shops and on all UK public transport. You must wear a face covering throughout your journey, unless you have medical exemptions. This is the law.
  • On campus, face coverings will be expected in all teaching spaces and communal areas. In shared offices and other spaces, face coverings should also be worn where social distancing cannot be maintained, unless you have medical exemptions.
  • International Travel – you must follow the rules for international travel. You should not travel to countries or territories on the red list.
  • If you are planning to travel to England, you should follow the guidance on entering the UK and find out which list the country you are travelling from is on and what you need to do.
  • If you are travelling to the UK from abroad, you will need to take a PCR test, regardless of whether you have symptoms.

University of Kent Links: 

  • COVID-19 Travel Page – regularly updated with COVID-19 travel information.
  • Coronavirus Page – University of Kent Coronavirus page has useful links and detailed information on the University’s response.

Useful Transport Links:

The following links explain what the travel providers are doing to keep their services COVID-friendly and what is expected from passengers during this time to ensure that you can travel in confidence.

Government Guidance Links:

social media competition

Social Media Competition

We would like to encourage our students and staff to interact with @unikent_travel on social media. Therefore, we have created a Transport competition with prizes.

The prizes include vouchers for various food outlets on Canterbury campus and the winner will be announced on Friday 17 December 2021.

To enter the competition:

  • Get a picture – this can be a photo you have taken or one that you have created.
  • Think of a good caption – either promoting road safety or sustainable travel home for Christmas.
  • Post the image and caption – you can post this on Twitter and/or Instagram.
  • Tag @unikent_travel in your post to enter the competition.
A2 Road Closure extended

A2 weekend road closures extended, November 2021

Due to extended repairs and works having to be delayed because of other roadworks occurring in the area, National Highways are continuing to carry out repair works on the A2 between Canterbury & M2 junction 7 (Brenley Corner roundabout, Faversham).

We highly recommend the driver plans their journey before leaving home.

For drivers travelling on the M2 we have provided recommendation of a route below for the driver to consider. Please note this recommendation was written for advice at the time of publication.

Weekend commencing 19 & 26 November (Open Day)

The A2 will be closed eastbound towards Canterbury. The information below is our recommended route for drivers travelling to our Canterbury campus.

National Highways signed diversion will be via A299 all the way to St Nicholas roundabout then A28 into Canterbury. As this route is a longer diversion for those travelling by car to the Canterbury campus, we recommend the following route:

  1. M2 continue on road past junction 7, where the road changes to the A299.
  2. A299 take the exit for Whitstable A2990 and follow signs towards the A290 (Canterbury)
  3. A290 follow the road for approx. 4 miles, turn left into University Road
  4. Once on campus look for the yellow Open Day parking signs and follow these to the car park.

View our recommended route on Google Maps.

Note: The A2 is open travelling towards London

Weekend commencing 5 November

The A2 will be closed westbound from Canterbury to Brenley Corner, Faversham roundabout.

We recommend drivers leaving our Canterbury campus consider:

  • Turning right out of campus, following the signs to Whitstable using the A290 then join the Thanet Way A299 or
  • travel into Canterbury City to Wincheap roundabout and turn right onto the A28 towards Challock and use the A251 back to the M2 or
  • travel into Canterbury City to Wincheap roundabout and turn right onto the A28 towards into Ashford and join the M20.

Note: The A2 is open travelling towards Canterbury but will direct you into the City. 

Useful Links:

Kent County Council road closure

National Highways Travel Updates

University Planning your Journey Advice

 

Travel Safe and Be Seen

It is that time of year when the clocks go back (31st October), meaning the days are shorter and the nights are longer. It is now more likely you will be travelling during non-daylight hours.

Watch the films below and count how many people you can see at the beginning of each film and at the end of each film.

Who did you see first and why?

Whichever mode of transport you decide to use there are things you can do to make sure other road users can see you. This can range from wearing something that is bright and reflective, ensuring your vehicle is clean, your lights are working or simply using your torch.

Find more advice on our travel safety page.

 

wheel stop

Installation of wheel stops to Sports Centre Road

It had been noticed that the cars parking in Sports Centre Road were sometimes overhanging the footpath, restricting its width, especially where the path narrows around the tree outside of the Jennison building.

To try to help prevent this wheel stops made from 100% recycled rubber have been installed in 4 of the parking bays nearest to the tree.

If the wheel stops prove successful in keeping the footpath clear, especially for wheelchair users, we would like to extend the installation to the remaining bays on the Jennison side of the road.

We would be grateful to receive any feedback on this trial. Any comments can be sent to s.thomson@kent.ac.uk

Highway Code Updates image

Changes to the Highway Code 2021

The rules in the Highway code are being updated for 2021 to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. There will be further changes made to the Code between September 2021 and February 2022.

It is vital to stay up to date with the Highway Code and it is easy to keep updated online:

  • GOV.UK provides a list of the latest Highway Code updates and let’s you see what has been amended. It also allows you to search for key words and phrases within The Highway Code,quickly move between related rules, follow links to the original laws that the rules are based on and print sections.
  • You can also sign up for email alerts and be notified whenever the Highway Code is being updated.
  • Follow @HighwayCodeGB on Twitter or Facebook for news of any updates and regular road safety reminders.
  • There is also the Official Highway Code app.
New Transport & Travel web page image

Unveiling of our revamped Transport & Travel website

After many months in development, we are proud to announce that we have a brand-new transport website! Our new website offers everything you need to know ranging from bus timetables to applying for a parking permit. The sleek yet simple design ensures that all of our useful information is accessible and easy-to-read so you can plan your journey with ease.  

We would like to give a big thank you to Sami Bakaitis, a Student Work-Study Associate who worked with us on this new project. His developing knowledge on building websites and his eagerness to implement sustainability into our new webpages made him the perfect candidate for this role. Despite working from home, the Transport Team, the Web & Learning Development Team and Sami were all able to work together seamlessly to create a fluid and functional website.

 “I am proud of Sami and Kelsey Laidler-Symes (Sustainable Travel Operations Coordinator) for having produced a website that supports the University Travel Plans aim to reduce single car occupancy, carbon emissions and provides information about Commuting Smarter around Kent.  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank them both and others who have given their assistance to enable them to achieve this. In particular, the support from Gill Brealey (Traffic Operations Coordinator), the technical expertise from Jonathan Thirwell (UX Developer) and the guidance and help from Mark Fendley (Web and Learning Development Manager) 

We welcome feedback on your thoughts or ideas on how we can improve our webpages to ensure they continue to work for everyone.”  

Teresa Curteis- Head of Traffic Management & Travel 

A2 road closure banner image

Section of A2 near Canterbury will be closed all weekend, for eight weeks running

From 3rd September, Highways England are closing the road known as the A2 between Canterbury and Brenley Corner, Faversham roundabout from 7pm Friday to 5am Monday for 8 weekends in a row.

Ensure you plan your journey before leaving to travel to the University of Kent, Canterbury campus. During this time for those driving around the city, there is likely to be a slight increase in local traffic as vehicles join the diversions from either the Wincheap or Bridge Interchange junctions.

Friday 3rd September to 13th September, including KMMS students arrivals

A2 road will be closed from Brenley Corner roundabout, Faversham to Canterbury.

We recommend drivers visiting or arriving at the Canterbury campus consider exiting the A299 at Whitstable B2205/ Canterbury A290 junction and follow signs towards Canterbury until they have reached University Road.

The Kent County Council official signed diversion is via A299 to St Nicholas roundabout then use A28 into Canterbury, via Sturry. We advise lorries to use this route.

From 17 September for 5 weekends, including Arrivals weekend and Open day events

A2 road will be closed from Canterbury to Brenley Corner, Faversham roundabout.

We recommend drivers leaving Canterbury campus consider:

  • To turn right out of campus following the signs to Whitstable using the A290 then join the Thanet Way A299 or
  • travel into Canterbury City to Wincheap roundabout and turn right onto the A28 towards Challock and use the A251 back to the M2 or
  • travel into Canterbury City to Wincheap roundabout and turn right onto the A28 towards into Ashford and join the M20.

Student Arrivals – If travelling by car, please inform your driver to plan for this road closure. The A2 will be open on your way to campus but local roads may be busy. When leaving the campus the A2 exiting Canterbury towards the M2 will be closed.

UPDATE: 22 September 2021

We have been informed that there are road closures into Canterbury and out of Canterbury when using the A2 over the next 4 weeks. Please see our updated guidance below.

Travelling into Canterbury

The A2 slip road that is sign posted Canterbury/Harbledown will be closed.

We recommend to use the A299 and A290:

  • to continue on the M2 past junction 7, following signs for the A299 (Margate/Ramsgate).
  • Exit the A299 at the Blean/Seasalter/Chestfield junction.
  • Then follow the signs directing you to Blean onto the A290. This road leads directly to the University campus (approximately 4 miles).

If you are using the A2 towards Dover follow the official diversion signs to continue along the A2 to the A2050 Bridge interchange then follow the New Dover Road back into Canterbury.

Travelling from Canterbury to London or Faversham/Thanet

A2 road will be closed from Canterbury to Brenley Corner, Faversham roundabout. We recommend drivers leaving Canterbury campus consider:

  • To turn right out of campus following the signs to Whitstable using the A290 then join the Thanet Way A299 or
  • travel into Canterbury City to Wincheap roundabout and turn right onto the A28 towards Challock and use the A251 back to the M2 or
  • travel into Canterbury City to Wincheap roundabout and turn right onto the A28 towards into Ashford and join the M20
  • If travelling to Thanet to use the official Highways diversion signs from Canterbury.

If travelling by car, please inform your driver to plan for this road closure. The A2 will be open on your way to campus but local roads may be busy. When leaving the campus the A2 exiting Canterbury towards the M2 will be closed.

Useful links:
Kent County Council road closure

Highways England Travel Updates

University Planning your Journey Advice

Cycle to Work Scheme

Cycling is good for health and fitness; it’s beneficial to the environment and is a quick, cheap mode of transport in urban areas.

The Staff Cycle to Work Scheme offers employees the opportunity to purchase a brand new bike and accessories from a range of participating local stores at a discounted rate. You will also save on Income Tax and National Insurance contributions, against the cost of the bike, and can even spread the cost over a 12 or 18 month period.

In order to qualify, you must use the bike for at least 50% of your journeys to and from work. To find out if you are eligible visit the staff finance page.

The cycle scheme provided by www.cyclescheme.co.uk means the purchase hire value has been extended above the previous £1,000 limit. This change in scheme enables employees to continue enjoying the benefits of a cycle to work scheme arrangement with the opportunity to hire a bicycle plus relevant safety equipment up to the value of £3,000 as a tax-free benefit, through a salary sacrifice arrangement; employees take a reduced gross salary during the hire period thus making savings by paying reduced income tax and national insurance contributions.

Some common FAQ’s can be found on the Employee answers – Cyclescheme Knowledge Base

Please also remember if you are cycling to, from, or around the campus be bright and be seen. Make sure you are visible to motorists. For more information, hints and tips check out the roadwise website.