The renovation of Muirhead House has resulted in the Geddes car park being closed.
The car park, which is in front of Muirhead and beside Airthrey Park Medical Centre (APMC) will be a part of the construction site until work finishes.
It comes after students have complained about a lack of car parking spaces on campus, as parking returns to pre-pandemic levels.
The closure is most likely to affect students in other nearby accommodations and those attending the medical centre.
APMC released a statement, advising any visiting patients to follow signs directing to overflow parking.
They also advised that “campus security will be strictly monitoring parking around the site to ensure minimal disruption”.
Parking woes
Students were already having to resort to parking illegally to get to their classes. Others who have parking permits on campus struggled to find a place to park.
Speaking to Brig last semester, one student said: “I’m fine paying [for the parking permit], but if I’m going to pay 80 pounds for a permit then I’d like to be able to get a space.”
Another student said: “[The car parking situation is] horrendous, and at times it’s easier to just move your car every hour.”
Seeing cars parked on double yellow lines or on the grass is not uncommon. The issue is widespread enough that an Instagram account has been dedicated to highlighting the issue.
University response
The University is aware of the car parking problem, but has indicated that it won’t be creating any new car parks soon.
In a statement on its website, the university says: “The University campus is one of the most beautiful in Europe and its development is very carefully considered to ensure that it remains this way.
“It is also a designated Historic Garden and Designed Landscape, which aims to ensure that its landscape setting is protected.
“Further, all planning authorities are reluctant to allow the creation of additional parking and expect organisations to limit demand by offering alternative means of travel.”
Muirhead House is now empty due to the renovations, which should mean there are less cars on campus.
But the effects that a loss of another car park will have remain to be seen, and will likely be evident when students return for the new semester.
A spokesperson for the University of Stirling said: “The University regularly reviews the arrangements for parking to ensure that, as far as practical, the demand for parking and the availability of spaces is optimised.
“The Geddes Car Park – opposite Muirhead House – will be temporarily closed for the duration of the works to Muirhead, however, alternative car parking is available nearby at the Golf Pavilion and adjacent to the Gardens and Grounds Maintenance Depot.
“To provide an alternative to parking on campus, we also promote sustainable travel options and encourage students and staff to benefit from these where possible.”
Featured Image Credit: Emma Christie
Former News Editor 2023/24 at Brig Newspaper. Former Chief Sub-Editor 2022/23.
MSc International Journalism student at the University of Stirling.
