Tag Archives: travel advice

Campus Shuttle: Reduced Timetable

As Friday 29th March and Monday 1st April are Bank Holidays there will be a reduced service operating until 19:15pm.

The service only operates during term time, the service will operate to the usual timetable from the 2nd April until the 5th April (end of term).

The start of term is also a bank holiday (Monday 6th May 2024), therefore a reduced service will resume at 7:35am. The service will operate to the usual timetable for the rest of the term from the 7th May.

The reduced service will be operating a 53 seater coach on the 29th March (Good Friday), 1st April (Easter Monday), and 6th May (Early May bank holiday). The reduced timetable for these dates is displayed below.

For any service updates please follow the @CampusShuttle twitter feed or contact Zeelo’s 24/7 Customer Care team on 0330 808 3306 or email csteam@zeelo.co

The booking system will be live soon! An update on the booking system will be sent before the bank holiday weekend.

reduced-timetable-1.png (257×387)

Travel Plan Survey

It is that time of year where the Transport Team are working on developing a New Travel Plan and we want to hear from staff and students about your commute to and from the University and travel within the local area.

By completing the survey, you help us plan our future transport strategies, understand what current services are working well, what improvements or changes Staff and Students would like to the current transport options provided, and help us with our carbon emissions research.

Plus complete the survey for the chance to win £150, £75 or £50 added to your KentOne card.

The survey has been extended to 11:59pm on Monday 21st November 2022.

Students Survey: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/VJXA2S/  Staff Survey: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/YVTNS2/

Campus Shuttle: additional coaches operating from 1st October 2022

We are pleased to announce that from the 1st October, all additional Campus Shuttle coaches will now be provided by Kings Ferry. Full details for the timetable of these services are displayed on our Campus Shuttle webpage. The booking system will be live on our website soon, until then production of your KentOne card is required to board the service.

Passenger numbers will be monitored and if coaches are operating at a low capacity or empty on a regular basis the timetable may be subject to change. Follow @CampusShuttle and @unikent_travel on twitter, where any disruptions or changes to the advertised timetable will be announced.

Please note that the journey time is approximately 45 minutes; although this is dependent upon traffic, ensure you plan your journey (including any walking time). You should arrive at the boarding point 5 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. If it is essential that you be on time then we recommend you catch the earlier service to avoid any disappointment if there are any delays on the roads. By boarding the coach you agree to the Campus Shuttle’s Terms of Service.

Grange Coach

Campus Shuttle: additional Grange Coach services from 26th – 30th September 2022

We are pleased to announce that from Monday 26th September 2022,  the Campus Shuttle will have additional capacity and late night services operating between Canterbury and Medway campuses. The additional coaches put in place this week (WC 26/09/22) will be provided by Grange Travel (see below image) and we hope that Kings Ferry will be able to accommodate the additional services from next week when the booking system should be live on our website. Full details for the timetable of these services are displayed on our Campus Shuttle webpage.

Passenger numbers will be monitored and if coaches are operating at a low capacity or empty on a regular basis the timetable may be subject to change. Follow @CampusShuttle on twitter, where any disruptions or changes to the advertised timetable will be announced.

Please note that the journey time is approximately 45 minutes; although this is dependent upon traffic, ensure you plan your journey (including any walking time). If it is essential that you be on time then we recommend you catch the earlier service to avoid any disappointment if there are any delays on the roads. By boarding the coach you agree to the Campus Shuttle’s Terms of Service.

Grange Coaches: 

Grange Coach

Kings Ferry Coaches: 

Campus Shuttle coach

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.