Staff parking at Colchester Campus
We encourage all staff to use sustainable methods of transport whenever possible. Before applying for a parking permit, please check other options such as car sharing, walking, cycling, or making use of discounted bus and train services. Find out more about sustainable travel options.
Parking permits and payment
Parking charges are much cheaper when you register your car. To get the registered rate, you need to buy a permit. You also need to pay a parking charge. If you're not registered and you decide to park on campus, you'll need to pay the full visitor rate.
When you register you choose a permit type and payment option. The annual parking permit fee is 0.28% of your salary, paid in monthly instalments. When choosing your permit, you also choose how you want to pay for daily parking charges, either as an annual season ticket or the option to pay just on the days you park.
You can register a vehicle at any time during the year. All registered vehicle permits expire on 30 September each year.
Buy a permit and annual season ticket
An annual season ticket costs £135 and is deducted from your salary in monthly instalments.
This option gives you unlimited daily parking. It's ideal if you plan to come onto campus frequently, or if you don't want to have to remember to pay for parking every time you arrive.
Select 'Annual' in the registration form.
The registration process can take up to two working days for your permit to activate. If you are parking on campus within these 48 hours, please inform the Estates and Facilities Helpdesk.
Buy a permit and choose to pay by the hour
With this option, once registered, you pay 18p per hour each time you come onto campus to park (minimum stay 4 hours - 72p, a full day is £1.26) via the Parksmart app (see below).
This option is ideal if you're occasionally coming onto campus with your vehicle, or if you just want maximum flexibility.
Select 'General' in the registration form.
The registration process can take up to two working days for your permit to activate. If you are parking on campus within these 48 hours, please inform the Estates Management Helpdesk.
When daily charges apply
Parking charges apply from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays and Christmas Day. There are no charges out of term time for registered vehicles. Unregistered vehicles must pay the full visitor tariff.
Daily charges don't apply to those with annual season tickets and motorcycles.
Paying your daily charges
Payment is on arrival at all car parks using the cashless ParkSmart app.
When you arrive:
- Log in to Parksmart (or visit via a web browser). It is important you sign into the app by selecting the 'Single Sign On' option. You will be redirected to a University web page and prompted to use your @essex.ac.uk email address.
- Tap on 'Park'
- Enter your registration number
- Enter the amount of time you need to park for (there is a minimum stay charge of 72p)
- Pay as prompted
The parking location number for Colchester Campus is 1597.
The car parks work on automatic number plate recognition. You don't need to display a ticket, but you can request a receipt for your payment via the Parksmart app.
Pay by text or WhatsApp
Text 'Park' to 07862 137275.
Change your vehicle or permit type
Parking Charge Notice (PCN)
How to pay
If you have received a parking charge notice please enter the notice reference and your vehicle registration number via the link in order to pay.
How to appeal a PCN or warning notice
Please contact the Estates and Facilities Helpdesk and they will be able to advise.
