Charnwood delighted with safer parking and disabled parking awards

All five borough council car parks in Loughborough town centre have been recognised for being among the safest in the country for another year, securing the prestigious Park Mark award for ensuring a safe environment and high standard of cleanliness, signage, surveillance and lighting.

This year Granby Street Car Park was also awarded a Disabled Parking Accreditation from Disabled Motoring UK. The popular town centre car park has 32 marked disabled bays which offer up to three hours free parking for blue badge holders.  The accreditation recognises car parks’ suitability for disabled drivers including facilities on the size of the parking bays, ease of access and safe zones for wheelchair users to enter and exit their vehicle.

Councillor Jenny Bokor, the Council’s lead member for Loughborough, said: “I’m delighted that we have been recognised for our provision of safer car parks once again. Residents and visitors to the borough want to feel they and their vehicles are safe when using our car parks."

“This award also recognises the hard work of our staff and demonstrates the Council’s determination to provide safe, high-quality parking facilities and aim to help reduce levels of crime in the town.”

Park Mark accredited car parks are reviewed on an annual basis by police to ensure car park management and operating measures meet the highest standard and safeguard vehicles and their owners.

Michael Gardner, British Parking Association Area Manager said: “These awards are testament to the team that supports these car parks and their enthusiasm, professionalism and hard work in maintaining the standards that are required.

“I am always impressed to see the continuous improvements being made for the benefit of their customers, which is as a result of the continued commitment and investment by Charnwood Borough Council. Achieving the Disabled Parking Accreditation for Granby Street car park this year is a good example of this”

The accredited car parks are Beehive Lane, Granby Street, Browns Lane, Southfields Road and Southfields Road offices. Beehive Lane has held the accreditation for 13 years while the others have secured it for the past nine years.

A Park Mark is awarded to parking facilities that pass a rigorous risk assessment conducted by the police and the British Parking Association.  The assessments include management and maintenance of the facility, ensuring that there are appropriate levels of surveillance, lighting, signage and cleanliness.  These criteria are known to reduce the opportunity for crime and create a safer environment for the motorist and their vehicle.

Car parks with the Park Mark award can use signage featuring the distinctive Park Mark tick, so that drivers know exactly where to go for safer parking.  Early adopters of the scheme saw a dramatic drop in vehicle-related crime of over 80% showing that the initiative really does make a difference. 

Personal safety and location have been cited as joint priorities when choosing where to park.  There are currently 5000 car parks with the Park Mark award throughout the UK which can be found on a designated website www.parkmark.co.uk

To find Disabled Parking Accredited car parks search www.dpaccreditation.org.uk