Parking In Ucd

ajc123

Hey, I was just wondering what the worst times for getting parked in UCD are? Most of my lectures don't start until 10 so I assume I'm fairly screwed!?! Any advice on this? i.e whats the latest times I should arrive and the least used car park. Also will I be able to leave for lunch and get a space when I get back?

Breezer

Mods, can we sticky a parking thread please?

Parking is usually bad between 10 and 3. Get in before 10. 9.40 or so and you'll be fine.

All car parks fill up fairly quickly. There's a gravelled car park around the back near the student centre, accessible by the Clonskeagh entrance in the mornings, that you might have more success with, but there's no spaces marked and it's very tight; you're risking someone hitting your car IMO.

Half of O'Reilly Hall car park is occasionally closed when there's an event on.


Can't think of any other tips.

Riamfada

Dont leave for lunch, I have spent up to 1.5 hours you best bet is to get there no later than 9:30.Car spaces begin again to free up from 3pm onwards. Also UCD closes various gates around the college from 7:30am to 10:00 am and again at 4:30 to 7:00pm to stop rat runners cutting off the Stillorgan dual carraigeway.

cHaTbOx

I am just in UCD a couple of days but it seems if you come in the side entrance(The easiest one to aCCOMODATION) well you can get to the car park easier.But I haven't seen it really busy yet .If I'm wrong just say

zap

gates are actually closed from 7-10:30 and 4 - 7:30

Breezer

zap wrote: »

gates are actually closed from 7-10:30 and 4 - 7:30

And it often takes Services a while to get round to each one and open it, as I found out one evening.

woop

Breezer wrote: »

Mods, can we sticky a parking thread please?
.

here here

convert

Parking around UCD is desperate and it's actually getting worse. I went in around 12 noon last week and spent at least 30 mins looking for a car park - ended up at the sports centre...

If you are driving then you'd want to be in by 10am in order to get a spot relatively easily....

However, if you live on an almost direct bus route or are within cycling distance I'd recommend it. I resorted to cycling and walking as parking is just too much hassle and time consuming...

Btw, don't park on the grass down at the Clonskeagh entrance... I saw cars clamped there last Thursday... Also, cars parked in the sports centre car park that aren't in designated spaces will also be clamped, so just be careful... €80 is an awful lot of drinking money!!!!

ajc123

I'll try going in early for the first few days and see how I get on. I might just get a bike instead, I'm actually not that far away! Ill report back as to how I get on. Thanks for the advice everyone!

Riamfada

Its not so bad , it pushes you to get up early and get to college

college2008

hi ajc123

yes i'd say a bike would be the best thing to do

especially if you don't live to far away. just find an easy route... and BOP.... you'll be there in no time.....BOP

Breezer

convert wrote: »

Btw, don't park on the grass down at the Clonskeagh entrance... I saw cars clamped there last Thursday... Also, cars parked in the sports centre car park that aren't in designated spaces will also be clamped, so just be careful... €80 is an awful lot of drinking money!!!!

In fact, don't do anything in the least way dodgy anywhere. The happy clampers are always watching...

Tayto2000

Most of the student centre car park is out of action for the next two weeks as well because of the societies tent...

Pride Fighter

I just saw the car park and all I can say is :pac::pac::pac::D:D:D:p:p:p
I am glad I take the bus.

Mikeyt086

Spent 1hour 15mins looking for a space today. None. I was there at 9.30, missed my first lecture. I had to park in an estate just outside the NovaUCD entrance.

Madness.

Dr Strange

There were a multitude of clamped cars all around the Health Sciences Centre as well as the drive up to the Conway.

Red Alert

Parking this morning was nothing short of desperate at 9.20am. I had to park in Trimbelston road/drive (the one beside the Montrose).

Now, the usual excuse trotted out by college is that everyone should get public transport - but the direct public transport available to UCD's campus is a shambles compared to any British or other European university. However we know full well that the administration wouldn't want too many people to start taking public transport since then their revenue collection activities from car parking would take a nosedive.

The main culprits however in the failure to tackle this whole mess are the SU. If you think about it, it doesn't directly bother the college whether people can find places to park, or even turn up. I know it's a sad state of affairs that many of us find the car to be the only sensible option for getting to UCD - believe me if I'd have known what was coming I wouldn't have come to this dump. I'd have gone to an accessible University. However, parking is one issue around which there's some strong feeling across the undergraduate and postgraduate student bodies alike. Most staff are disgusted with the parking setup too. That's the kind of issue from which a sensible and robust response from the SU could really rally support for the SU and make them relevant to the people that say that they're not relevant.

However I'm sure there's some protest in Equatorial Guinea needing their attention............

Riamfada

Had to park on the Clonskeagh Road today and walk in at 10am. I think Ill be aiming to be in for 7:30 tomorrow.


sigh.

dhaddock

I circled the car parks for about 50 minutes and missed my lecture this morning. So, broken and defeated, I just gave up and went home. Even trying to drive around some of the car parks is a disgrace, some peoples parking jobs are woeful, there is no order and how people still park on the grass when everyday i come back and see about 3 cars clamped is beyond me!!

gubbie

Red Alert wrote: »

The main culprits however in the failure to tackle this whole mess are the SU. If you think about it, it doesn't directly bother the college whether people can find places to park, or even turn up. I know it's a sad state of affairs that many of us find the car to be the only sensible option for getting to UCD - believe me if I'd have known what was coming I wouldn't have come to this dump. I'd have gone to an accessible University. However, parking is one issue around which there's some strong feeling across the undergraduate and postgraduate student bodies alike. Most staff are disgusted with the parking setup too. That's the kind of issue from which a sensible and robust response from the SU could really rally support for the SU and make them relevant to the people that say that they're not relevant.

Must have got better in your 4 years though in order for you to stay on and do a postgrad. And I for one, as a non driving student, would not like to see more car parks because this place is a concrete jungle as it is

Mikeyt086

More car parks are needed. But there just isnt any room for them. What can the SU do about that?

I have driven in to UCD on 3 of my 4 days as a student. Those 3 days involved over 3 hours of circling for a space and missing my first lecture on each day. Bus is the only option.

Breezer

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

I have driven in to UCD on 3 of my 4 days as a student. Those 3 days involved over 3 hours of circling for a space and missing my first lecture on each day. Bus is the only option.

Well to be honest that's a bit ridiculous. I've been here 3 years, driven in on many occasions, at all hours of the day, and I've never taken 3 hours or anything like it to find a space. You may not find a space on campus but if you're willing to walk for 10 minutes there's plenty of room in the surrounding housing estates.

Red Alert

dhaddock wrote: »

I circled the car parks for about 50 minutes and missed my lecture this morning. So, broken and defeated, I just gave up and went home.

Yes, I've done this a couple of times too - thank god for Remote Desktop! It's not too bad for me because I do all computational stuff and no actual hardware lab work. But still it's annoying.

Pride Fighter

It Dun-Laoighre/Rathdowns fault from what I have heard. Apparently UCD are only allowed 3,000 parking spaces with a campus that size. It should be doubled IMO and done right with multi-storey car parks built on half the current car parks with a capacity of 6-7,000. It would free up some land too but they will never get planning permission.

delta_bravo

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

More car parks are needed. But there just isnt any room for them. What can the SU do about that?

I have driven in to UCD on 3 of my 4 days as a student. Those 3 days involved over 3 hours of circling for a space and missing my first lecture on each day. Bus is the only option.

Do get the bus then, its quite a viable option if you live in Bray

Pride Fighter wrote: »

It Dun-Laoighre/Rathdowns fault from what I have heard. Apparently UCD are only allowed 3,000 parking spaces with a campus that size. It should be doubled IMO and done right with multi-storey car parks built on half the current car parks with a capacity of 6-7,000. It would free up some land too but they will never get planning permission.

I think that a multi storey facility is part of their new gateway programme but if funding keeps going the way that is you can forget about it. A lot of people that drive in have plenty of other methods of commuting but the convenience factor is hard to beat and the parking problem is only going to get worse in future years.

Pride Fighter

UCD has plenty of liquidity Delta, they have sold some huge land banks such as the Terrace and other city centre locations. I believe they can pay for most of the gateway with that cash, they would want to do it quick though so they are not tempted to use it to pay the wage bill.

Breezer

Pride Fighter wrote: »

UCD has plenty of liquidity Delta, they have sold some huge land banks such as the Terrace and other city centre locations. I believe they can pay for most of the gateway with that cash, they would want to do it quick though so they are not tempted to use it to pay the wage bill.

I say this as someone who drives to UCD regularly: there is absolutely no way in this economic climate that UCD should be diverting funds towards building car parks, Gateways, etc. The 3rd level sector is grossly underfunded, and courses are being cancelled in UCD due to budget restrictions. College fees are back on the agenda once more. Of 3 UCD students who have committed suicide in the recent past, 2 were on the waiting lists to see our one and only counsellor.

If there's money available then it should be spent either on academic programmes or on essential services for students. Extra parking spaces to allow even more people who live within a 3 mile radius of UCD to drive in is not an essential service and I would loudly protest against any attempt to prioritise it over an improved student health and welfare service or the continuation of academic programmes.

Pride Fighter, I'm not picking a personal fight with you here, it just made sense to quote your post in relation to my point.

Guys, seriously, parking has been discussed to death here. Giving out on Boards won't progress the issue. Either come in early, be willing to park on a street and walk a short distance to campus, or find some other mode of transport. It's not that difficult: I've been doing it for years.

Alternatively, start a car parking campaign, but be prepared to meet resistance from those who disagree with you.

gubbie

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

More car parks are needed. But there just isnt any room for them. What can the SU do about that?

I have driven in to UCD on 3 of my 4 days as a student. Those 3 days involved over 3 hours of circling for a space and missing my first lecture on each day. Bus is the only option.

County council won't allow more car parks. I think its got to do with the number of buildings, not the amount of people here... or so I've heard. The SU has more important things to be worrying about. Would you still be complaining if the SU switched its attention from the free fee's to the losing battle of getting more car parks?

Tayto2000

Multistoreys are coming as part of the new student centre first, so that will help matters a bit... Unfortunately, I don't think there'll ever be enough spaces, demand far outstrips supply and even when it's a major inconvenience, as is the situation now, people still bring the cars.

I think an increase in spaces would just be eaten up by people switching back from other methods to their cars... That was what happened when all the temporary car parks were brought in anyway...

Here's a pic from the back of Conway on Monday... all the cars in the picture except the ones seen through the trees in the Conway carpark have been clamped... Happened again next day though.

Red Alert

Well gubbie, less than a year ago the Student's Union considered Shell to Sea a more worthwhile pursuit than parking - hardly a more important issue to be thinking about.

Something tells me that a bit of muscle from UCD would make DLRCOCO allow more parking spaces. The fact of the matter is that none of this would be needed had proper planning been done in UCD and this city as a whole with regard to public transport - no other university nor european city is such a combined shambles.

Tayto2000

Be prepared for it to get worse again... P&D parking is being brought in all over Dublin in residential areas when the locals get fed up with being used as an extended car park. Parking and walking might not even be an option in the near future...

gerry87

Bring your own clamps, problem temporarily solved.

wonderworm

Red Alert wrote: »

Parking this morning was nothing short of desperate at 9.20am. I had to park in Trimbelston road/drive (the one beside the Montrose).

where would you have parked if you had gone to tcd?

emy-87

Ill probably get my head bitten off for saying this but.....I for one would welcome a yearly fee to stop everyone driving to college and to raise funds to improve the current car parks. Maybe like €100 per person? I dunno, something like that. I wouldnt mind that if I could park safely and without the fear of something happening to my car...It was dented in the car park behind the library two years ago.:mad:

Shazbot

emy-87 wrote: »

Ill probably get my head bitten off for saying this but.....I for one would welcome a yearly fee to stop everyone driving to college and to raise funds to improve the current car parks. Maybe like €100 per person? I dunno, something like that. I wouldnt mind that if I could park safely and without the fear of something happening to my car...It was dented in the car park behind the library two years ago.:mad:

Seems abit over the top. Fee's have gradually increased since I've been in UCD and it's a real pain in the ass, especially the extra student centre fees. Still can't understand why people voted yes for that. Adding extra fees to fund a multistorey car park would just kick up more fuss. As previously stated, the college can't get planning permission to build the needed car parks.

Car parks don't offer safety at all, they are simply a place to park you car. All car parks throughout Dublin clearly state that they are not liable for damage, why would a college car park make an exception. I've also had my car damaged by careless drivers.

Some outrageous parking going on by desperate or lazy drivers, engineering car park was a complete mess the on tuesday. Car were blocking other cars in and just walking off. Someone even parked in the middle of the clearway in the car park. I was driving around looking for a space and counted over 20 clamps on cars, the worst being just behind the conway institiute.

Think I'll cycle for the next few weeks till the heat dies down.

Breezer

Red Alert wrote: »

The fact of the matter is that none of this would be needed had proper planning been done in UCD and this city as a whole with regard to public transport - no other university nor european city is such a combined shambles.

Agreed.

Tayto2000 wrote:

Parking and walking might not even be an option in the near future...

It'll still be an option, we'll simply have to walk a bit further than we do now. P & D is coming in, but slowly; the Council seem content to paint double yellow lines all over the place for now.

Frisbee

There is usually a thread like this every year at the start of the year. The main reason parking is always bad in the first few weeks is because every year they insist on putting that stupid bloody freshers tent in the car park behind the student centre.
Also I only came back today coz was on hols but we've lost a fair number of spaces in the gravel car park by the school of info studies where they have those big storage containers...

mloc

Personally I think parking charges are both necessary and inevitable to prevent frivilous driving to UCD where public transport is available. For all those complaining of extra fees and such, we already have it far too easy when it comes to college. It must be remembered that in the case of free fees, the fees don't disappear, we just pay them through our taxes. A €2 a day levy or permit system would most likely reduce the amount of people driving to college and encourage people to take public transport.

As far as the public transport system is concerned, that is a seperate issue and does not really enter into the argument.

Frisbee

mloc wrote: »

As far as the public transport system is concerned, that is a seperate issue and does not really enter into the argument.

So your saying one of the causes of the problem doesnt enter into the argument? :rolleyes:

gubbie

Red Alert wrote: »

Well gubbie, less than a year ago the Student's Union considered Shell to Sea a more worthwhile pursuit than parking - hardly a more important issue to be thinking about.

Something tells me that a bit of muscle from UCD would make DLRCOCO allow more parking spaces. The fact of the matter is that none of this would be needed had proper planning been done in UCD and this city as a whole with regard to public transport - no other university nor european city is such a combined shambles.

No it didn't. It had a motion to support the Rossport 5, years ago. A motion went to the union almost 2 years ago and I myself spoke against it. The motion was defeated. The union does not support the Shell to Sea cause

I might also point out that UCD has one of the best parking facilitys of the uni's

And for a city the size of ours, I believe we have a very adaquate public transport system... mind you in Colorado the bus is free

Pride Fighter

Breezer wrote: »

I say this as someone who drives to UCD regularly: there is absolutely no way in this economic climate that UCD should be diverting funds towards building car parks, Gateways, etc. The 3rd level sector is grossly underfunded, and courses are being cancelled in UCD due to budget restrictions. College fees are back on the agenda once more. Of 3 UCD students who have committed suicide in the recent past, 2 were on the waiting lists to see our one and only counsellor.

If there's money available then it should be spent either on academic programmes or on essential services for students. Extra parking spaces to allow even more people who live within a 3 mile radius of UCD to drive in is not an essential service and I would loudly protest against any attempt to prioritise it over an improved student health and welfare service or the continuation of academic programmes.

Pride Fighter, I'm not picking a personal fight with you here, it just made sense to quote your post in relation to my point.

Guys, seriously, parking has been discussed to death here. Giving out on Boards won't progress the issue. Either come in early, be willing to park on a street and walk a short distance to campus, or find some other mode of transport. It's not that difficult: I've been doing it for years.

Alternatively, start a car parking campaign, but be prepared to meet resistance from those who disagree with you.

I agree with most of your post and if you will see my earlier posts were I slag car owners you will realise I am not fond of some of the lazy so and so's who take the car when they can take public transport (I know some people legitimately use the car and I dont have a problem with them). However, I believe the gateway should be built. It represents the College entering the 21st century in terms of facilities and the hotel that will be in the gateway will help fund the college if it remains under college control.

Pride Fighter

where would you have parked if you had gone to tcd?

Nobody has brought that up because parking in that place is even worse.

emy-87

Shazbot, I think the solution has to be over the top because the problem has gone way too far, as you saw yourself! I didnt say it would be for a multistorey carpark, that would cost a huge amount of money that UCD doesnt have, that would lead to much more expensive fees than I suggested. I think if they had some sort of system whereby if you need to drive you will be charged a fee which would be used to tarmacadam the existing crappy carparks and mark them with spaces. If you dont have to drive you will not be charged. That would stop a lot of people unneccesarily taking their car. I think it would stop people using it as a park and ride aswell, and it would be good for the enviroment! I think its a pretty good idea, even if I do say so meself:D

I shouldnt have said safety, wrong word choice!:o I think if the carparks were laid out properly then it would be a bit less likely that your car will be damaged, but I suppose it happens everywhere.

Breezer

Pride Fighter wrote: »

I agree with most of your post and if you will see my earlier posts were I slag car owners you will realise I am not fond of some of the lazy so and so's who take the car when they can take public transport (I know some people legitimately use the car and I dont have a problem with them). However, I believe the gateway should be built. It represents the College entering the 21st century in terms of facilities and the hotel that will be in the gateway will help fund the college if it remains under college control.

Oh I know, I read them, don't worry We'll agree to disagree on the Gateway. I see where you're coming from but with the way finances currently are, we need to be looking at the short term for the moment IMO, and in the short term the Gateway would cost money that I feel could be better spent in other areas if it is there.

DirkVoodoo

If you live in Dublin within cycling distance of UCD then you should strongly consider it. There are never any problems with parking at any hour of the day and you may feel a little better getting some fresh air. Also, the money saved on petrol can be funnelled into other worthwhile student activities like drinking.

I don't buy the argument about poor public transport. UCD is along the N11 and so serviced by all the major Dublin routes.

Parking should be prioritised for those who need it. For example, I am trying to get my brother to cycle in. We live in Foxrock, its a 15 minute cycle but in rush hour traffic this can turn into a 30-40 minute drive. He doesn't need to drive, he could get the 46A, cycle or even carpool with friends in the area. However, someone commuting from outside dublin every morning (I dont know how many do that) and have no other option but to drive should be given priority. Of course the problem here is that it requires organisation from the college to createt some sort of parking control system, which probably wont happen.

delta_bravo

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

If you live in Dublin within cycling distance of UCD then you should strongly consider it. There are never any problems with parking at any hour of the day and you may feel a little better getting some fresh air. Also, the money saved on petrol can be funnelled into other worthwhile student activities like drinking.

I don't buy the argument about poor public transport. UCD is along the N11 and so serviced by all the major Dublin routes.

Parking should be prioritised for those who need it. For example, I am trying to get my brother to cycle in. We live in Foxrock, its a 15 minute cycle but in rush hour traffic this can turn into a 30-40 minute drive. He doesn't need to drive, he could get the 46A, cycle or even carpool with friends in the area. However, someone commuting from outside dublin every morning (I dont know how many do that) and have no other option but to drive should be given priority. Of course the problem here is that it requires organisation from the college to createt some sort of parking control system, which probably wont happen.

Completely agree with this. Cycling in is great for exercise and is usually relaxing. I dont have much experience of public transport as I cycle but with the n11, the 46a, 145, 10, 11 and all those xpresso routes not sure where the issue is bar the 17 which is awful. The luas is only a 15=25 minute walk from the clonskeagh side. Anyone living about 5 miles from the campus and that is able to cycle really should it is worthwhile and saves a lot of money in the long run

Mikeyt086

Ill just say that im not complaining, nor am i setting up an underground movement hell bent on getting more carparks.

I just said we could do with more spaces as my early experiences have been disasterous.

Today and yesterday however ive come in earlier and not had a problem, reading the paper and having a roll in Nine-One-One is hardly an inconvienience so im not too pushed. I 100% agree that car parks should not be a big priority. But it is a bit annoying if you have a lecture in the afternoon and know 100% there will be no parking.

Thats what the internet is for, venting frustration on a small issue.

Breezer

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

Thats what the internet is for, venting frustration on a small issue.

Fair enough, I've done it many times myself We just get a lot of these parking threads.

I had a great parking experience today anyway. For once I did park on campus, I got in at about 8.30 just as the place was filling up. I was over in the O'Reilly Hall car park and decided I'd park up on that kerb beside the pedestrian walkway rather than risk looking for a better spot and ending up with none. There's a few cars behind me so I swing in quickly in reverse, half in a yellow box beside the steps and half in my spot, and and wait for them to pass so I can straighten up. The second they pass, some girl in a Punto comes flying into the remainder of my spot. No idea where she thought she was going because opening the door would have been physically impossible for her, the gaps between my car, her car and the next one were that narrow! So after staring at her in amazement for a second, I beep the horn to get her attention and gesture "Get out." She starts waving her arms and telling me there's no spaces. More gesturing to the effect of "I don't care! Get out!" She got out

[End rant]

clickerfingers

Breezer wrote: »

Well to be honest that's a bit ridiculous. I've been here 3 years, driven in on many occasions, at all hours of the day, and I've never taken 3 hours or anything like it to find a space. You may not find a space on campus but if you're willing to walk for 10 minutes there's plenty of room in the surrounding housing estates.

what estates you talking about? and is it actually ok to park there??

gubbie

delta_bravo wrote: »

Completely agree with this. Cycling in is great for exercise and is usually relaxing. I dont have much experience of public transport as I cycle but with the n11, the 46a, 145, 10, 11 and all those xpresso routes not sure where the issue is bar the 17 which is awful. The luas is only a 15=25 minute walk from the clonskeagh side. Anyone living about 5 miles from the campus and that is able to cycle really should it is worthwhile and saves a lot of money in the long run

As is the dart.
A woman said to me the other day, (she was complaining about the transport in Dublin) "Every f-in bus goes to UCD"

Breezer

clickerfingers wrote: »

what estates you talking about? and is it actually ok to park there??

Basically any road in the vicinity of UCD that isn't the N11. And yes, provided you park legally of course you can park there, they're public roads. Some residents mightn't like it very much but that's their problem, it happens outside my house as well; no one owns a public road. Obviously be considerate and don't block someone's gate or something