Tag Archives: updates

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.

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:

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

 

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

Snow and ice- Canterbury and Medway campuses

At Canterbury campus Grounds Maintenance, Estates, have gritted priority roads, pathways and car parks throughout the night and this morning.

At Medway campus gritting contractors and the Estates FM team have gritted priority roads, pathways and car parks this morning. Access roads to Dockyard buildings are clear as Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust have gritted the roads onsite overnight and the Estates FM team have gritted the entrance to the buildings this morning.

Please drive carefully and take extra precautions when walking to and from your vehicle and around campus as some areas may still be slippery.

We recommend you check traffic news or your transport provider for travel updates during this adverse weather. Visit www.kent.ac.uk/transport/planning  for useful links to transport (and road) twitter accounts and service updates webpages.

We are also trying to tweet some travel updates from our @unikent_travel twitter account, which can also be viewed online at www.kent.ac.uk/transport/news