How do you move stuff into accommodation in central London?

[GMH1974]

Do you have to use the tube / trains or do you get permission to drive because of the amount of stuff they have to move? My daughter's in self catering so has cooking stuff. She will be in UCL accommodation near Kings Cross.

Permission to drive from who? I don't understand your question, sorry.

You can just drive through London OP. You'll pay congestion charge and ULEZ but you just drive.

Have her email to ask about drop off arrangements.

They vary between halls, depending on local factors, but it's very typical (assuming there is some parking) to have to book a slot.

And there may be Freshers' Week volunteers with trolleys available to help you roll stuff around

I thought normally you have to pay a fortune to drive into central London with the congestion charge.

You do but you'll have to pay that.

Thank you.

Yes, you will have to pay all the normal charges for driving in to central London - congestion charge (during its hours of operation) and ULEZ if your vehicle does not meet low emissions standards.

Info here:

Congestion Charge (Official) - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)

Paying the ULEZ charge - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)

@SquirmOfEels Appreciated.

The congestion charge is not exactly a fortune, it's £15 a day and only applies 07:00-18:00 Monday-Friday, 12:00-18:00 Saturday-Sunday and bank holidays. Ulez applies at all times but there is only a charge if your car is not compliant. If it's a petrol it will almost certainly be compliant. If it's a diesel and over 8 or 9 years old you might have to pay - you can check online.

The few years I've seen students dropping stuff off at halls in central London they park on the double yellows near the halls. However the driver has to stay near the car and can't go into the building otherwise they risk getting a ticket. Though I've not actually seen any parking attendants due to the lack of parking if the road is completely blocked someone will call them.

You drive.

You lay the congestion charge and ulez if needed.

My son's halls had four parking spaces and you had to prebook your drop off time to get a space.

My elder son went to UCL initially he was in Ramsey Hall then moved out into shared accommodation near Euston station.
We drove him and his stuff but in theory that’s only a 40 minute drive from us. Top tip, they don’t need heaps of stuff, both of my boys lost more than they took to uni. 🙄

When you’ve done all of the above, there are apps (just park or your parking space? Can’t remember) where you can rent a private parking space. Just get the postcode of where you need to be ie the uni, then look for a space near there. You choose your day and hours and it’ll show you on a map what is available. Do it in advance though! I’ve done it in different parts of London, it’s very good especially if you’re not familiar with the area and don’t have any knowledge of cheaper places.

Top tip, they don’t need heaps of stuff, both of my boys lost more than they took to uni. 🙄

Yes; she should take the bare minimum and buy anything else if and when she finds she really needs it.

Train, taxi and don’t overpack is our plan. We don’t drive anyway. But we are near enough to come over a couple of times if we need to

Hi @GMH1974 mine just confirmed UCL yesterday and she is a stones throw from campus. You need to book a one hour slot to move the stuff into the building. They were filling up fast yesterday so get cracking as the accommodation is shared between more than one uni. I looked on street view to see where the building is and the road it’s on. There are red lines (no stopping at any time) and limited parking right outside the accommodation so I booked an early morning slot on a Saturday as I reasoned the lunch time/afternoon slots will be carnage as you’ll have locals plus harassed parents trying to occupy the same space. Early morning slots were less in number (1-2pm had around 22 left as opposed to 8-9am where there was a maximum of 5) but I think will be less stressful and the. We can go and get breakfast etc. There were slots available which meant you could theoretically get in and out of the congestion charge zone without paying if you wanted to but ULEZ is the kicker as it is 24/7. There is no CC for a fully electric car.

My DD is packing essentials only (cloths/bedding/lamp/books/toiletries and store cupboard food items like spices/oils) and will leave stuff like air fryers/kettles until she gets there first to see what everyone has brought with them. There is no point in having 5 kettles and Argos is up the road if no one brings one. They are not allowed cooking appliances in rooms or candles. We’ll sort fresh food once we are in, unpacked and had breakfast.

Having been at boarding school DD is pretty good at not bringing the everything bar the kitchen sink and I’d highly recommend IKEA blue bags as an efficient way of moving stuff in as they take up less space once unpacked. She’ll also bring one small wheelie case for weekends away visiting mates in other uni’s and possibly one bigger case but she’s conscious of where she’s store that once unpacked. Clothes will be on hangers ready to hang straight up. Don’t pack too much stuff into boxes which are too heavy to carry as the chances of parking right outside are minimal.

On street parking once unloaded will require the ringo app to pay so set that up before you leave. Avoid NCP’s as they are a small fortune. DD’s accommodation is in Camden Council’s purview so on street parking is FOC at the weekends. Great, but likely to be occupy by locals/tourists parking for free.

Hope that helps!

If you don’t want to drive in central london just get him to pack essentials only, clothes etc and order stuff from Amazon prime or pop out to nearest Argos and get a duvet / sheets / pans etc. The rest he can order from Amazon. They don’t need loads of stuff, I saw someone move in their daughters chest of drawers when I dropped my son off, I couldn’t believe how much there was! They are home for holidays so often and for so long he can take more the next time if he wishes. Plus if 2 or 3 of you travel on the train you can take a suitcase each.

My friend used this firm when her DS chose a uni in a far flung location from where they live. Worked a treat. Might help those who don’t have a car.

www.unikitout.com/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=691656262288&utm_term=student%20starter%20pack&utm_campaign=UK+-+Generic+-+Pottery+-+Exact&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=3537576794&hsa_cam=18737865538&hsa_grp=160020298478&hsa_ad=691656262288&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-298916509646&hsa_kw=student%20starter%20pack&hsa_mt=b&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAA9WY1spGzCmIe3J95VDAw9YjivXLU&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI48SQqOf4hwMVPZNQBh38YhTHEAAYASAAEgIS_fD_BwE

OPIm so glad you asked this. We're Northern provincials. DD going to LSE and has accommodation at Bankside in Southwark. You've inspired me to plan this today.

If the university don’t have a system in place already then loading is your friend.

https://www.camden.gov.uk/loading-unloading

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/parking/trade-parking-businesses/loading-and-unloading

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/parking/yellow-lines

https://www.southwark.gov.uk/parking/guide-to-parking/loading-and-unloading

I live centrally on a double yellowed road with very little parking close by - without loading I wouldn’t be able to receive any deliveries or even get picked up in an unlicensed cab to go on holidays. Loads of people seem unaware of this - lost count of the conversations I’ve had with drivers trying to find closeby parking that I now have it in my delivery instructions.

@GMH1974 which hall will they be in?

Mine was in Connaught Hall on Tavistock Square last year. I looked up the CPZ info on Camden's website (www.camden.gov.uk/controlled-parking-zones) which said it was residents' parking outside, but only at certain times. I worked out I could take the car and park outside if I went early-ish on Sunday morning. There was no Congestion Charge at that time. I expected the street to be thronged with other parents, but there was just us, and we parked right outside. Easy peasy.

There are a lot of international students who just arrive with suitcases.

@Downstreamers how do you book a slot? My DS hasn’t had an email and says there’s nothing on the UCL portal?

We’ve booked a slot for UCL. It was via the accommodation emails sent to DD. I think our plan is drop stuff off in the 1hr slot, drive away and park somewhere, then get tube back to UCL area and help set up room etc.

That reminds me - my son didn't book a slot on the first day because he was busy . He picked up his key a couple of days later and moved in with a few essentials. I took his stuff the following Sunday, so that may explain why it was so quiet.

Thanks ! Slot now booked !