A brand new cash machine will be installed at Kingston University's Penrhyn Road campus this summer, ready for Fresher's Week 2009.

Barclays have confirmed the University has received planning permission for the new ATM, which will be situated next to the current cash point just opposite the Students' Union.

Bruce Armstrong, Director of Student Services and Administration, said: "We looked at other areas but for security purposes, this was the best place to put it as the area is open and visible."

However, second year Psychology student Nina Dabasia was not convinced this is the safest place for another cash machine.

She said: "As it is outside the Students' Union, everyone is always crowding around it. It would be a good idea, and much safer, to put a cash point inside. The one already there has been vandalised so many times."

Mr Armstrong said the decision for a second cash point at Penrhyn Road was a result of discussions with KUSU President Olrick Coker and inquiries via the Finance Department, which took over a year.

Planning permission was finally granted last month, after a planning application was submitted to Kingston Council, in conjunction with Barclays and KUSU's Property Management and Development department.

Emma Austin, from Barclays Corporate Affairs, said: "Consumer demand drives Barclays to install new or additional ATM's."

A Kingston University spokesperson said: "This machine is being installed to improve the service for students and staff wanting to withdraw cash or check their bank balances while on campus."

First year Accounting and Finance student Sarena Bir said: "I think this is a great idea, as at the moment the queues are always huge at lunchtime."

A new ATM was recently installed in the University's Kingston Hill campus, near the SU bar Hannafords, and went live last Saturday. Kingston Hill students can now withdraw cash for free, which they previously had to pay a charge for.

The University's Knights Park campus still only has an ATM inside the Student Union bar, which charges for cash withdrawals.

Second year Fine Art student Thomas Charlton said: "We have a shop in Knights Park which sells art materials that we need for our course, and we have to come all the way over to Penrhyn Road to get the money to pay for them. It's quite irritating."

Drilling for the new ATM at Penrhyn Road will begin after University exams are over, around mid-June.