Parking News – May/June 2025

Spring into action Upfront

As I write this the days are lengthening with the equinox having passed and everywhere verdant new growth is springing forth; we’ve been enjoying the various Bank Holidays and this is when we start to look forward and plan our diaries for the spring and summer, and with that comes the BPA Parkex event, the premier parking show in the country.

And what a show it promises to be. Parkex 2025 is held over two days, 21 to 22 May, at the Coventry Building Society Arena – a fantastic venue for its central England location and easy access, being just a mile from the motorway.

Parkex, for me, is always about meeting people, networking and innovation; whether you are a supplier or a buyer, an operator, a local authority or a sector watcher – there will be something for everyone. From the get-go, we have a ministerial keynote address from Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads.

This year’s BPA Live theatre programme should spark plenty of debate, too, with digital technology integration, accessibility and inclusivity in parking management, integrated

TURN TO PAGE 27 for more information about this year’s Parkex.

national transport strategy, protecting your assets and customers in parking structures, and the private parking code and associated framework all part of the programme.

A must-not-miss from a personal standpoint is the session on protection of frontline workers, with an update since last year’s show. We’ll be providing details of PATROL’s viral Beyond the Uniform campaign and how we, as a sector, can learn from the National Police Wellbeing Service.

The EV Connect theatre has a range of topical infrastructure, delivery and funding sessions, while the Approved Operator Summit and Local Authority Forum take place in the Coventry Lounge on days 1 and 2, respectively.

And new for this year is the John Heasman Innovation Awards, with a set of categories that help commemorate former BPA president and director general John Heasman. He was a key member of the team responsible for setting up and delivering the very first Parkex back in 1993.

It promises to be a full agenda with something to whet everyone’s appetite. As president of our association, I look forward to seeing you there and welcoming you to the event.

It promises to be a full agenda with something to whet everyone’s appetite

Richard Walker President linkedin.com/company/ british-parking-association

Parking

on behalf of the British Parking Association

Editor

Sophie Vening editor@britishparking.co.uk

Advertising Oliver Willison oliver.willison@ jamespembrokemedia.co.uk T: 0203 198 3092

Production editor Lizzie Hu on

Design and production

manager Christina Richmond

Publisher James Houston

Circulation and administration

Linda Page linda.p@britishparking.co.uk

Print Stephens & George Print Group

We would like to remind our readers that the views expressed by any contributor to Parking News are not necessarily those of the British Parking Association or Parking News, (the editor, the editorial panel or the board). Contributions and adverts are published in good faith and no responsibility or liability will be accepted, either for their contents or accuracy, or for any action taken as a result of anything contained in Parking News

© British Parking Association 2025 ISSN 1470-8361

Welcome

Welcome to the latest edition of Parking News. This issue, we focus on crime in car parks and explore strategies and technologies that can enhance security and create safer environments (p14).

We also take a closer look at the awardwinning Cambridge City Council’s Park Street car park, the first in the UK to receive a BPA Park Access EV award (p39). Plus we hear from two CEOs who serve our communities and o en face abuse simply for doing their jobs. This article highlights the realities of their roles, the challenges they face and the industry’s e orts to support and protect these essential workers (p10).

Lastly, we look forward to this year’s Parkex, the pinnacle event in the parking calendar (p27). This event is more than just an exhibition; it’s a gathering of minds dedicated to advancing the parking industry. I hope to see you there!

Sophie Vening Editor

SHARE YOUR STORIES contact editor@ britishparking .co.uk

10

14

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< ON THE COVER Parkex 2025: Britain’s biggest parking show is back

See page 27

News is published by

FEATURES

10 | Voices from the frontline CEOs and parking professionals share their experiences and discuss potential solutions for safeguarding frontline sta

14 | Safety first

Exploring how innovative strategies and modern technology can reshape the parking experience

18 | Roundtable: penalty charges

Three experts discuss whether current PCN levels are an e ective deterrent

27 | Parkex 2025

Details of all the events, speakers and exhibitors at this year’s show

39 | Best practice

How Cambridge City Council’s Park Street car park is leading the charge in accessibility

6 | Digest

Launch of CEO safety campaign, lower EV charging rates, plus updates from across the private and public sectors

23 | Legal view

How best to deal with misuse of accessible parking bays

45 | Parking people

Remembering Professor Donald Shoup

47 | BPA updates Governance matters and the John Heasman Innovation Awards 2025

54 | Park life

Kelvin Reynolds asks whether we should embrace empathy in parking enforcement

50 | Marketplace

53 | Specialist services

Digest

NEWS FROM THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS

Taxi driver loses licence for threatening PEO

Ataxi driver has had his licence revoked a er abusing a parking enforcement o icer.

The incident occurred at a school crossing in Cornwall a er the o icer issued the driver with a parking charge notice for stopping on zigzag lines. The driver tracked down the o icer to dispute the ticket, using foul language and displaying aggressive behaviour in front of young children.

The encounter was captured on the o icer’s body-worn camera and, following an investigation by Cornwall Council’s licensing compliance team, a case was brought to the licensing committee. A er reviewing the evidence, the committee decided to revoke the driver’s licence.

Councillor Carol Mould, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, said:

“We will not tolerate any kind of abuse towards our sta or members of the public. This individual’s behaviour was totally unacceptable. We expect taxi drivers to abide by the statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards and those who fail to do so risk losing their licence.”

Councillor Martyn Alvey, portfolio holder with responsibility for enforcement, added: “Zig-zag restrictions outside schools are there to protect children. We take a zero-tolerance approach to people who park on zig-zags outside schools. This driver’s behaviour was totally unacceptable.”

READ MORE about o icers’ experiences on the frontline on page 10 and tips from legal experts for dealing with abuse on page 23

BPA VIEW

Unity5 acquires parking tech firm

Two south-west businesses developing car parking technology have joined forces to drive innovation in the sector.

Unity5, which produces cloud-based enforcement and compliance management so ware, has acquired Chipside, the market leader in local authority parking enforcement technology.

Mark Wilson, pictured, CEO of Unity5, said: “We are incredibly excited to welcome Chipside into the Unity5 group. This acquisition is not just about growth, it’s about collaboration. Both companies share a strong commitment to innovation and exceptional customer care. By working together, we can bring the best of both organisations to the table, ensuring that we continue to support our customers with reliable, forward-thinking solutions. Our priority is to maintain stability for both teams while creating opportunities for shared learning, product enhancements and long-term success.”

“This incident is sadly part of a growing number occurring across the country. We strongly believe more needs to be done by Government to start to crack down on this behaviour. Everyone has a right to go to work in an environment safe from abuse.”

Isaac Occhipinti, BPA head of external a airs

REDUCING CRIME Strategies to make car parks safer, p14

It’s illegal to park on yellow zig-zag lines

Council provides permit for older residents

In a bid to support older residents who have difficulty with digital parking payment methods, St Albans City and District Council has introduced a new Access Permit.

Costing £190 a year, the permit is valid for one visit a day, for up to three hours, at off-street council-run car parks in St Albans and Harpenden. Eligible applicants need to be aged 70 or over and be a resident of the district.

Councillor Helen Campbell, council lead for car parking, said: “There is no statutory duty placed on us to provide such a permit and I am not aware of any councils that do, so this is quite an innovation.

“We are an inclusive council, responsive to the needs of all our community. Many of our older citizens are more than happy to pay by contactless cards or apps, but there are some who struggle with these modern methods. The Access Permit will help by providing them with a more traditional way of paying.”

Intelli-Park launches new AI-powered car park monitoring system

Intelli-Park has introduced the View360 camera product, the most advanced AIpowered car park monitoring system in Europe.

Using state-of-the-art AI and a 360-degree ultralong-range camera, View360 provides complete real-time site enforcement, tailored to the specific needs of each location, helping to solve unauthorised parking. This new technology eliminates blind spots, monitors every bay 24/7, and continuously learns and improves through AI-driven updates.

“Traditional car park monitoring can be labourintensive and often leaves gaps in enforcement,” says Kulvir Kang, group head of product at Intelli-Park.

“We built View360 from the ground up to tackle these problems face-on, scanning entire sites in real time, at all hours, without the need for

additional cameras or manual patrols. This not only helps with enforcement but also saves time and money.

“View360 doesn’t just monitor, it learns, too. Our AI adapts to the unique traffic patterns of each location, constantly improving efficiency and enforcement over time.”

NHS Frimley reveals plans for car park upgrade Parking improvements at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey Heath are due to be completed early this summer. The hospital plans to introduce 40 new parking spaces at its existing site, which NHS Frimley says will increase capacity by 10%, as well as install LED lighting and improve parking bay markings. Extra drop-off bays will also be put in outside the hospital’s front entrance, as well as two dedicated ambulance bays. AI-controlled and ANPR cameras are also being installed to help improve traffic flow in and out of the car park.

The View360 provides real-time site enforcement

Talking points

UK cars too big for UK spaces

Researchers at the campaign network Clean Cities have found that since 2021, 4.6 million cars have been sold in the UK that are bigger than a typical urban car parking space.

Work begins to replace car park

North Norfolk District Council is progressing work on the replacement of a clifftop car park in Happisburgh. Planning permission was granted last year for the relocation of the car park from its existing site to a location just off Lighthouse Lane.

Increase in parking penalty fines

Parking fines in London have increased for the first time since 2011. From 7 April, parking penalties at both the higher and lower rate increased by £30.

Driver fined for using dead grandfather’s Blue Badge

n a hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court in February, a driver was found guilty of illegally using a Blue Badge to park in Dean Street car park in Aberdare.

The woman, who lives in Aberdare, admitted that her Blue Badge belonged to her deceased grandfather and acknowledged that her actions were misguided and inappropriate. She was fined £100, and ordered to pay £305 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

Councillor Christina Leyshon, of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said: “People rely on their Blue Badges and the scheme is designed to help people with mobility challenges access local amenities. Misuse of the scheme denies a space to someone who genuinely needs it.

EasyPark Group collaborates with Google Cloud

In an attempt to enhance operational efficiency, drive innovation and transform the mobility experience worldwide, EasyPark Group is now using Google Cloud’s AI technology. Initially, the mobility platform is using Google Cloud’s Vertex AI and Gemini’s advanced natural language processing to streamline employee onboarding and integrate team members from recent acquisitions.

Sandesh Bhat, chief technology officer at EasyPark Group, said: “Our partnership with Google Cloud marks a significant step toward realising our vision of creating more liveable cities through technology. Together, we are redefining urban mobility, making it more convenient, efficient and sustainable for users worldwide while enhancing employee productivity.”

“It is particularly concerning that this conviction involves the display of a badge that belonged to a deceased person. It is not acceptable to misuse this service, and the recent enforcement operation shows that this council is taking action to stop this abuse.”

Elmbridge introduces free parking

Car parks in Claygate, Hersham, Weybridge and Oxshott are among 10 sites around Elmbridge that will be offering free parking.

Elmbridge Borough Council hopes the move will boost the local economy and help retain the ‘vibrancy’ of smaller parades of shops.

“Offering 30 minutes of free parking is a winwin for everyone including residents, visitors and our local businesses,” said councillor Kirsty Hewens, portfolio holder for enterprise, parking and local economy. “It makes it easier for people to pop in for quick errands or spontaneous shopping trips, and it takes the stress out of finding and paying for parking.”

WORDS | ANNA-MARIE DESOUZA

Voices from the frontline

Real-life views: stories of resilience and the path to change for CEOs

The abuse faced by civil enforcement o icers (CEOs) and other frontline workers across the country has become an alarming issue. With rising incidents of verbal and physical attacks, particularly at schools and other public spaces, the need for better protection and industry-wide change has never been more urgent.

Here, CEOs and professionals who have faced these challenges head-on share their experiences and discuss potential solutions to safeguard frontline sta .

Stories of abuse and resilience

Tanya’s story: An enforcement specialist with nine years’ experience, Tanya has had her fair share of di icult situations at work. From verbal abuse to physical threats, she has witnessed first-hand how frustration with parking enforcement can escalate into dangerous encounters. One incident stands out in her mind: a driver, furious

at receiving a PCN, shouted, “I hope you die of cancer”. This deeply a ected Tanya, because she’d battled cancer herself.

Tanya recalls one harrowing moment when a woman grabbed her by the scru of the neck and tried to pull her into a car. “I thought, this is it. I didn’t know what was going to happen next,” she recalls.

And the abuse isn’t limited to aggressive encounters with ticketed drivers; Tanya and her team o en face insults from passersby. “People shout things like, ‘jobsworth’ or worse, when we’re just walking the streets,” she says. “It’s exhausting, but it’s part of the job.”

Despite these challenges, Tanya remains dedicated to her role. “You get used to the swearing, but it doesn’t make it easier,” she says. The worst incidents o en occur near schools, where emotions run high. The mental and emotional toll of the abuse does “wear you down”, Tanya admits. “But if we didn’t do our job, who would? The roads would be chaos.”

BPA VIEW

“Over the past year, the BPA’s Frontline Officer Welfare Group and individuals within it have been acting on the recommendations made by participants at last year’s Parkex Frontline Officer workshop. These covered professional development and training, political advocacy, stronger relations with the police, changing public perceptions, more research and data on frontline abuse and greater sector collaboration.”

Sarah Greenslade, BPA content and research manager

Fortunately, Tanya’s team has support systems in place, including regular mental health meetings. “It really helps to know you’re not alone,” says Tanya. “The training we get, particularly for dealing with conflict, is invaluable. It prepares you for those moments when things could get out of hand.”

One bright spot for Tanya has been PATROL’s Beyond the Uniform campaign, which has helped raise awareness about the challenges CEOs face. “I’ve had people apologise a er they’ve seen the campaign. It’s a step in the right direction,” she says. “We want the public to understand that we’re just doing our jobs and we deserve to be treated with respect.”

Tanya hopes that, over time, more people will start viewing enforcement o icers as humans first, not just someone in a uniform. “We just want to make sure everyone is safe and following the rules.”

Tanya’s resilience and commitment to her work are a testament to her strength and the support of her colleagues.

Ria’s story: A er working in parking enforcement for 22 years, Ria has seen and heard it all. She started her career in a tough area and quickly became accustomed to the verbal abuse. “You get used to the insults and the swearing; it’s part of the job,” she says. “But over the years, you start to realise that it’s not personal, it’s about the uniform.”

Unfortunately, over time, the abuse

escalated into physical threats and one day it crossed a line.

While working with a colleague, Ria seized a Blue Badge from a man who claimed it belonged to his wife. As she walked away, he jumped out of the car and grabbed her with such force that she couldn’t break free. “I couldn’t get away from him. He wasn’t a huge guy, but he was incredibly strong,” she recalls. In the struggle, she was slammed into a van, injuring her shoulder and neck. The physical pain was significant, but it was the emotional toll that had a lasting impact.

Verbal and physical abuse directed at parking enforcement o icers is on the rise

“We want people to understand that we’re just doing our jobs”

“Afterwards, I felt like I was always on edge. I didn’t feel safe, even in my own home.”

In the following weeks, Ria began experiencing severe panic attacks and anxiety. “I would wake up screaming in the night,” she says. “It wasn’t just the bruising from the attack – it was the constant fear.”

Ria didn’t realise that she was suffering from PTSD, and it wasn’t until she spoke with a manager that the psychological impact became clear. She was prescribed antidepressants and began therapy. “At first, it was hard to accept that I had a problem,” Ria admits. “But with time and support, I’m learning to manage it.”

The support she received from her colleagues, including a mental health first aider, was crucial in her recovery. “Talking to my team really helped,” she says. “They understand what I’m going through, and they’ve been there for me every step of the way.” As Ria’s recovery progressed she started a phased return to work and is gradually regaining confidence. “It’s been a long road, but I’m getting there,” she says.

Ria believes that more needs to be done to address the root cause of the abuse. “For too long, people have thought it’s okay to treat CEOs badly because of the uniform we wear,” she says. “But it’s not okay. We’re just doing our jobs like everyone else.”

Ria’s experience underscores the psychological toll of frontline work. “We need more support, more understanding and more protection,” she says. “We just want to do our jobs without fear of abuse. It’s time for a change.”

How can you better support frontline officers?

BPA and City & Guilds Assured Status ‘A Pathway to Excellence’

In May 2024, the BPA received formal approval from City & Guilds that it had met the Assured Benchmark Standards for the following programmes:

● Access Level Assured Certificate in Parking Enforcement

● Intermediate Level Assured Certificate in Notice Processing

With the BPA’s commitment to driving up standards within the sector, these programmes provide high-quality, globally recognised training designed to enhance skills, improve safety and promote professional development.

The BPA’s Learning Delivery Partners undergo rigorous assessments to ensure their programmes meet the stringent standards set by City & Guilds (C&G) and the Institute of Learning Management (ILM). This approach equips frontline and office-based teams with the knowledge and confidence necessary to perform their duties effectively and safely.

Beyond the Uniform campaign

The Beyond the Uniform campaign is a pivotal initiative designed to address the rising abuse faced by parking enforcement officers and other frontline workers. Spearheaded by Brighton & Hove City Council and North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) and funded by Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London (PATROL), the campaign aims to raise public awareness of the vital role enforcement officers play in maintaining road safety, facilitating emergency vehicle access

and ensuring the protection of disabled parking spaces.

“Parking officers are more than their uniforms – they are integral members of our community,” says councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport, parking and public realm at Brighton & Hove City Council. “This campaign shines a light on their dedication and humanity, while calling for a shift in public attitudes. Abuse of any kind is unacceptable. We stand firmly with our officers in promoting respect and appreciation for the essential work they do.”

Since its launch, the Beyond the Uniform campaign has gained significant traction through digital and print marketing and community engagement events, allowing the public to learn about the challenges enforcement officers face.

Brighton and North Essex will report back in May with key learnings and insights, together with white-labelled creative assets, shared with PATROL’s full authority membership, to be used across England and Wales.

Learning Lab 2: Protection of Frontline Officers, Wednesday 21 May, BPA Live Theatre, Parkex If you’re at Parkex this year, be sure to check out the Learning Lab session featuring Dave Brewster, Operation Hampshire co-ordinator and data analytics team at the National Police Wellbeing Service; Melissa Holmes, regional manager for Midlands and North at APCOA Parking; Sarah Bussey, contracts manager at Brighton & Hove City Council; Richard Walker, BPA president and chair of NEPP; and Sarah Baxter, democratic services and policy manager at PATROL. They will discuss the impact of the Beyond the Uniform campaign, how the public awareness initiative was developed, its success and the lessons our industry can learn from the National Police Wellbeing Service to better support frontline officers.

REDUCING CRIME IN CAR PARKS

Explore how innovative strategies and modern technology can reshape the parking experience, ensuring a welcoming, safe and crime-free environment for all

Poor lighting, gra iti, litter, unpleasant smells, and recesses for thieves and antisocial behaviour such as heavy drinking can make car parks feel unsafe. And, understandably, customers o en feel uncomfortable in such conditions.

Ideally, safety and crime prevention should be prioritised during the planning stage, however many multi-storey car parks (MSCPs) built decades ago lack modern safety features. Thankfully, there are lots of ways operators can improve them retrospectively. Read on for more advice on how to create a safer car park.

Safety accreditation

The Park Mark Safer Parking Scheme, led by a collection of not-for-profit organisations including the British Parking Association (BPA), Police Crime Prevention Initiatives and Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK), gives operators clear targets for improvement.

The scheme was established in 2004 and a Park Mark is awarded to facilities that have met the requirements of a yearly risk assessment, which includes categories such as quality management, e ective surveillance and appropriate lighting.

The Park Mark Plus scheme is an elite award, achievable only by the highest quality car parks, and requirements

include environmental credentials and exemplary customer service.

Mark Osmond, regional manager for the BPA, conducts assessments and seeks feedback from users, particularly vulnerable people. “If I see an elderly person or a young woman with a buggy, I’ll introduce myself and ask if they’d be willing to tell me how o en they park in this location and how safe they feel,” says Mark. “This gives me valuable insights regarding the facility, which I can pass on to the operator.”

Potential improvements

Creating a welcoming atmosphere can deter antisocial behaviour. Specifying

WORDS | MARIA MCCARTHY

the right lighting can ensure car park users feel secure and minimises the , as there is a greater chance of thieves being identified and apprehended. Good signage, cleanliness and clear pedestrian pathways are vital steps car park owners can take to enhance safety. Mark emphasises the importance of promptly addressing issues such as gra iti and broken glass to maintain standards.

“If I visit a car park and happen to observe gra iti or broken glass, I would make recommendations to the operator for them to clean the facility to ensure that the Park Mark standard is maintained,” he says.

Communication between operators and local authorities is also crucial for addressing the removal of hazards such as sharp objects, fly tipping and abandoned vehicles. “It all helps to create a safer car park,” says Luca Scott, group director at SafeDuty Tra ic Services.

Essential technology

It’s vital to have measures in place to protect people and property against crime. One strategy is access control, through the use of mesh gates and bollards. CCTV can also be very e ective and a worthwhile investment. “Key priorities for safer car parks include CCTV and ANPR services. They allow us to monitor issues such as antisocial behaviour, fly-tipping and the , and to use intelligence to pinpoint the times when foot patrols can be most e ective,” says Luca.

“When CCTV is in operation, criminals are aware that they might be able to commit the crime, but are o en wary of being seen and, ultimately, caught. Help points in MSCPs, which users can press to alert patrols, can be useful,” advises Mark.

“If I could do one thing to improve the safety of car parks, it would be to increase the number and frequency of patrols,” he

“When assessing a car park, I always ask myself, ‘would I be happy for my mum to park here?’”

Mark Osmond

adds. “There’s nothing like having trained patrol o icers in hi-vis jackets to help deter criminals and antisocial behaviour. It also helps create a safe and nonthreatening environment for users.”

However, it’s not just criminals that can be attracted to car parks, it’s also vulnerable members of society such as the homeless or people with addiction issues. Their presence can make

“Foot patrols are fundamental to creating safer car parks, and have a significant effect on deterring antisocial behaviour as opposed to CCTV by itself”

Luca Scott

“It’s important for patrols to vary their visiting times so criminals don’t get wise to their roaming patterns”

Mark Osmond

car parks feel unsafe for users, and it’s important for car park managers to find effective ways of moving them on. This can involve working with agencies such as homeless charities and also training CEOs in how to approach people and manage any conflict in a way that is safe for everyone. The police have an important role in this, though responses vary and not all local authorities and private parking companies receive the support they would like.

“We believe that keeping a good line of communication with the local police force enables operators and authorities to share intelligence and information,” says Luca. “It’s also important for parking enforcement officers (PEOs) to be equipped with body-worn cameras, as they can help deter aggressive behaviour and also provide evidence if there are any complaints or disputes,” he adds. “One issue faced by operators and authorities is trespass, which on its own and in most cases is a civil matter. The police will not be able to assist if an offence has not been committed or they are dealing with urgent 999 calls.”

Useful resources

For more information about Park Mark visit parkmark.co.uk; turn to page 23 for more on the legal implications of using body-worn cameras.

The latest technology helping to prevent crime in car parks

1. Energy Oasis intelligent LED lighting

Designed for environments where consistent, high-quality illumination is essential for safety, each light fitting incorporates passive infrared (PIR) and microwave sensors for precise motion detection. When movement is detected, the lights immediately brighten and then dim or switch off after a period of inactivity. This ensures lighting is used only when needed, maintaining visibility while reducing operational costs.

Energy Oasis says customers have reported a marked increase in perceived safety, particularly in low-light areas. The increased efficiency reduces strain on electrical infrastructure, potentially freeing up capacity for additional services, such as EV chargers. Lighting levels are compliant with CIBSE guidelines for car park environments, and the fittings are durable, low-maintenance and suited to 24/7 operation. energyoasis.org.uk

2. Efaflex doors

Fast-action doors at car park entrances and exits can enhance security, ensuring only vehicles intending to park can enter and deterring unauthorised access. Efaflex designs a

range of industrial doors, sometimes paired with a barrier arm. The doors open and close at speeds of up to two seconds per metre, creating a visible barrier and minimising exposure time to deter unwanted entrants such as car thieves. Manufactured to fit specific apertures, the doors include various security features, such as laser sensors and light grids to detect peripheral activity, and a manual override in the event of a power failure or an emergency. efaflex.co.uk

3. Evolt Charging cable alarm

Developed in response to rising levels of EV cable charger theft, the Evolt Charging cable alarm is the first device of its kind in the UK, and Osprey Charging is the first charge point operator to trial the product. Criminals target EV charge points for the copper wiring and, as well as the inconvenience for customers, each stolen cable costs up to £1,000 to replace. The cable alarm, manufactured by Circontrol, can be installed on DC chargers and detects when a cable is cut or removed, triggering an alarm and a flashing beacon. The device integrates with notification and management systems and existing security measures. evoltcharging.co.uk

Efaflex doors (left) help to prevent unauthorised access into car parks, while Osprey is trialling the Evolt Charging cable alarm (above)

Are current PCN levels an effective deterrent?

This issue’s roundtable shines a light on the complexities of parking regulations, the challenges of enforcement and societal attitudes surrounding parking fines

THE PANEL

Zoe Hall, strategic parking manager for Cornwall Council

Zoe is a passionate and motivated parking management professional with 17 years’ experience in the industry.

Andy Luck, transport manager at London Councils With 30 years’ experience in the parking and tra ic industry, Andy has been on the BPA council of representatives for eight years and chair of the communications and external a airs board since July 2024.

Patrick Duckworth, principal communications and digital consultant at Amped Consultancy

Patrick supports Parking and Tra ic Regulations Outside London (PATROL) on public a airs activity as communications lead.

The issue of parking enforcement is a contentious topic. Motorists, understandably, want to pay as little as they can for parking, and are getting increasingly adept at exploiting loopholes. In some areas, it’s cheaper to pay a PCN than it is to pay for a day’s parking. Here, three industry experts discuss whether PCN levels are high enough and what can be done to improve enforcement.

Do current PCNs act as a deterrent?

Zoe Hall: In many cases, our current PCN tari level is not acting as a deterrent. Based in Cornwall, I see an influx of holidaymakers during the summer who o en view a PCN as just another expense of their holiday.

Andy Luck: I believe most Londoners try to follow the parking rules. A minority of drivers currently receive a PCN, although this does seem to be increasing. PCN levels in London are higher than in the rest of England, and they were increased on 7 April 2025, which will act as more of a deterrent and hopefully improve compliance.

Patrick Duckworth: As indicated in PATROL’s recent research with its local authority members, more than half of respondents believe the current level of charge is ine ective as a deterrent. PCN levels have not increased in England

“I see an influx of holidaymakers during the summer who often view a PCN as just another expense of their holiday”

Zoe Hall

(outside London) and Wales since 2008, diminishing the deterrent of penalties in today’s money. PCN levels are far less than other common local authority fines, including for littering and dog fouling, as well as other transport penalties, such as on the railways.

The loophole dilemma

AL: I think the thing to worry about is that there are a significant number of people who aren’t receiving the PCN they rightfully should and, even if they do, many know how to play the system and avoid payment.

ZH: It’s the same in Cornwall. We o en get PCNs returned to us because the DVLA lacks the accurate information to allow us to pursue the o ender. Some vehicles have 40 or 50 PCNs. For those vehicle owners, a PCN isn’t a deterrent at all.

PD: From research, we know such interchanges with the DVLA take up a significant amount of authority sta resource, with some even indicating the amount of time taken means they would never recover costs.

AL: Many London boroughs have reported a rise in unregistered vehicles. We are working to compile evidence to present to the DfT and the DVLA to demonstrate the impact of their processes on our ability to enforce parking regulations e ectively.

Despite the DVLA’s claims of 99 per cent accuracy, which is doubtful, even that one per cent translates to a substantial number of vehicles, and certain checks during vehicle registration don’t appear to be accurate.

ZH: There’s a lot of websites with information on how drivers can evade parking tickets and how to exploit the DVLA loophole. Sometimes there will

be driver details unknown or a record with only partial driver information. For example Bob Smith who lives at 1 Brown Street – which doesn’t mean anything to anybody.

It’s a real issue for us. We’re also unable to chase foreign vehicles as it’s just not worth the cost.

AL: While some local authorities do chase foreign vehicles, European legislation, as it’s written at the moment, and the current planned regulations that do not include parking in cross border enforcement, restricts what information we can access, which is challenging.

How much does parking cost?

AL: In London, parking can range from £1 up to £5 or £6 an hour, depending on the demand for space. Sometimes, it works out cheaper to pay a PCN than it does to pay for a full day of parking.

“There are a significant number of people who know how to play the system and avoid payment”

Andy Luck

I spoke with a parking manager in Brighton recently who mentioned that all-day parking in some areas of the city costs nearly double that of a PCN and therefore, by sheer human nature, drivers will try and get away with it because there is no risk.

PD: A £50 PCN paid in 14 days is little more than the cost of a day’s parking in many areas. This was reported in PATROL’s research as a particular problem in areas of high tourism and during seasonal or ‘surge’ periods, for example, at seafront locations and during sporting events. Over two thirds of respondent authorities reported motorists regularly receiving and simply paying PCNs in their area. One motorist had received and paid 30 PCNs.

ZH: In Cornwall, we offer a £60 parking product for tourists, allowing visitors unlimited access to long-stay car parks for a week – less than a higher PCN charge. We only sold 2,000 over a 12-month period last year which, with the amount of visitors we get is still a low number. It’s mad that people think £60 is too much, and yet are willing to pay a £25 or £35 fine.

We provide various parking solutions for residents to help with parking costs, yet contraventions still exist. It only costs residents in Truro £2.63 a day for parking in Truro and yet residents will still risk a PCN.

What’s the solution?

AL: I think if the DVLA records were more accurate, and there was better, more

active and collaborative enforcement on antisocial motoring – tax, insurance, MOT avoidance – drivers would think twice about contravening the rules.

Raising PCN charges across England could also incentivise drivers to drive and park safely. The recent increases in London are a step in this direction. We’ve increased PCNs by £30 across each tariff level in line with Transport for London increases. We could have requested a higher amount based purely on the inflationary increase since the last rise in 2011, but it needed to be an amount that the motorist is willing to tolerate. If you set it at £500, you’re going to get more drivers inputting incorrect DVLA records. It’s a balance between acting as a deterrent and encouraging better behaviour and not setting it at a level which is going to see more people avoiding the system.

Reintroducing CCTV for definitive acts of parking in the wrong place – which was taken away in 2015 – would also improve compliance.

PD: Based on PATROL’s research, a series of recommendations are now with the DfT’s Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood. They include raising the PCN levels in England (outside London)

“Over a third of surveyed local authorities’ parking services no longer pay for themselves”

Patrick Duckworth

and Wales to catch up with inflation, as well as to establish a more autonomous mechanism for raises in future through the PATROL Joint Committee. Separately, PATROL is engaging with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on ANPR powers for local authorities to help manage their offstreet car parks, improving detection of non-compliance and resource efficiency for patrols elsewhere.

A cultural attitude towards fines

ZH: It’s interesting how drivers accept speeding fines without argument likely due to the fear of licence points. Maybe that’s something to grasp onto.

AL: We know that parking related complaints are one of the main reasons why residents write to their local councillors, and this concern was echoed during the consultation process about increasing PCNs in London. Many see PCNs as a tax on the motorist, rather than a penalty. And it isn’t. It’s a penalty charge where we think you’ve done something wrong and we are inviting the driver or registered keeper to pay, but we’re also inviting them to make representations if they don’t think that they’ve contravened the rules. And outside of that, you’ve got an appeal service if you don’t agree with the PCN.

Cornwall offers a £60 parking product for tourists but sold only 2,000 last year

ZH: There’s this culture view whereby if you get a car parking fine it’s the local authority at fault – it’s not that you’ve parked incorrectly – and drivers can get really aggressive in their response. You wouldn’t react in the same way if, say for example, you got a fine for taking your children out of school.

AL: The issue reflects broader societal attitudes that affects how parking enforcement officers are perceived and treated. They become targets of increased physical attacks and verbal abuse simply because the societal view –which is often perpetuated in the media –is that these people are doing a petty and unnecessary job that impacts the ability of the motorist to do what they want. When actually their role is to ensure compliance with the law.

PD: Unfortunately, reports of CEO and other staff abuse are all too familiar.

PATROL recently funded the Beyond the Uniform campaign to shine a light on this issue and the staff involved through its Driving Improvement Awards programme. The campaign has been piloted this year by Brighton & Hove City Council and North Essex Parking Partnership.

ZH: I think having more CEOs on the roads could act as a visual deterrent.

The cost of enforcement

AL: Expenses tied to CEOs, backoffice staff creating the PCN, postage, management systems and paying

for removal trucks etc – many local authorities would argue that the revenue from PCNs barely covers these costs.

PD: PATROL’s research found that over a third of surveyed local authorities’ parking services no longer pay for themselves, with ancillary costs (eg set-up, maintenance and repair of restrictions) needing to be drawn from separate funds. The situation is compounded by increases in staffing and energy costs. Surpluses are now greatly reduced or non-existent.

ZH: Processing a £25 PCN can cost between £21-£29. It doesn’t take a mathematician to work out that, if you’re not breaking even, you’re most definitely making a loss.

AL: We should also be looking at ways to reduce the cost of issuing a PCN and other notices – perhaps by sending it digitally. However, this requires legislative changes.

PD: PATROL recommends allowing local authorities to issue statutory enforcement documents (post-PCN) digitally – it’s currently with the DfT for consideration. The move would complete the otherwise now well-trodden digitisation of the enforcement and appeals process, as well as helping to lower enforcement costs.

Find out more

The BPA’s Local Authority interest group is for BPA members who work for local authorities around the UK, and provides information, resources and networking opportunities. Find out more at britishparking.co.uk/Local-Authority

You say

“I think the current £100 max rate is enough of a deterrent to control parking on private land. The government’s proposal to halve this value, reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days, wouldn’t act as a sufficient deterrent in major cities, where parking can cost over £25 per day. Increasing PCN rates above £100 will, in my opinion, fly in the face of what the government is looking to achieve and further alienate the industry from the consumer and consumer bodies such as the RAC. I also don’t think there should be higher rates for specific contraventions as this is just confusing for the motorist.”

Ian Goodwin, owner and founder of The Parking Consultancy

“No, the PCN is no longer a deterrent at its current value. We are increasingly finding drivers who are just willing to take a risk. Drivers who can afford it are willing to pay the PCN so they can park near where they want. Compliance is not improving as result.”

John Charlton, team leader for civil enforcement environment and highways at Oxfordshire County Council

BPA VIEW

“It is now abundantly clear that the current level of the PCN does not act as a deterrent. We urgently need the Government to listen to local authorities and realise that it needs to rise. We have seen rises in Scotland and London, the same now needs to happen for the rest of England and Wales.”

Isaac Occhipinti, BPA head of external affairs

It’s becoming increasingly expensive to issue and process PCNs

Unlocking the power of data

Maricris Reantaso, SVP, Global Product at JustPark + ParkHub, reveals the company’s journey to becoming a data-driven business

millionsofdailyinteractionsonourplatform,wehave auniqueopportunitytotestideasatscale.Weconduct experimentstorefineouro erings,soeverydecisionis rootedindata.Insteadoflaunchingfeaturesandhoping theysucceed,wevalidatethemthroughcontrolledtesting.

Ourfocusonperformancehasevolved,too.Wedon’t justmonitormetrics.Instead,wegeneratehypotheses, analyseA/Btestresultsandmakeinformeddecisions.By establishingclearengagementandconversionmetrics, weensurethatoure ortsareimpactful.Eachfeature ordesignisvalidatedthroughexperimentationandis continuouslyrefinedbasedonreal-worldfeedback.

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses o en claim to be ‘data-driven’, yet what does that really mean? At JustPark – a BPA Live Technology Partner – we recognise that possessing data is just the beginning; the real power lies in how we capture, harness and apply it to fuel experimentation, uncover meaningful insights and empower our teams across the business to make smarter decisions.

With over 13 million registered drivers, a huge network of parking spaces and nearly a million visits to our platform every day, JustPark has always been rich in data. However, for many years we struggled to unlock its full potential. Our data primarily served reporting purposes with little connection to product development, limiting our capacity to innovate and respond dynamically to our users’ needs.

Today, this landscape has transformed dramatically. Data drives every aspect of our product development. We have established a dedicated Data team, and are in a much stronger position to ensure we are using data throughout the entire product development process enabling us to create, test and, ultimately, build better products.

A pivotal change in our approach has been to shi from passive analytics to proactive insights. For example, we have developed data-driven user personas and customer segments based on actual search and purchase behaviours. By sharing these insights across various teams we can ensure that priorities and strategies align, creating a seamless experience for everyone. This cross-functional collaboration has been transformative, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of our customers and cra more intuitive, personalised products.

Another significant shi has been the embedding of a culture of experimentation within our organisation. With

TheroleofAIisemergingasagame-changerinour data-ledjourney.AIenablesustorapidlyprocessvast datasets,unlockingnewpossibilitiesforsmarterdecisionmaking.Ourbusinessintelligencetool–JustParkInsights –illustratesthisevolution.Bycombiningmultipledata sources,itprovidesreal-timeanalytics,o eringourclients fast,accurateandactionableinsights.Wearecurrently exploringtheimplementationoflargelanguagemodels (LLMs)todelivertailoredreports,enhancingourclients’ abilitytomakeinformedparkingandmobilitydecisions.

Forourdrivers,we’veintroducedanAI-poweredreview aggregator,whichanalysesover2.5millioncustomer reviews.WithAIsummarisingkeyinsights,driverscan makequicker,moreinformeddecisions,whilespace ownersreceivevaluablefeedbacktoenhancetheirlistings. Wecontinuetorefineourdatastructureandarepoised tofurtherleverageadvancedalgorithmsandmachine learning.ThefutureofJustParkliesinharnessingthis technologytoforecastparkingdemand,optimisepricing andrefineavailabilityinrealtime.This,combinedwith customerinsight,willallowustofurtherpersonalisethe bookingexperience,ultimatelycreatingamoreseamless andsatisfyinguserexperience.

Byusingdatamoree ectively,ourabilitytounderstand customershasdramaticallyimprovedandthatknowledge hasenhancedeveryaspectoftheJustParkjourney,for ourdriversandourpartners. www.justpark.com

Maricris Reantaso

SVP, Global Product at JustPark + ParkHub

Parking safely

Derek Millard-Smith and James Harvey reveal how innovative solutions can be used to deal with accessible bay abuse – while adhering to data protection regulations

Car parks are o en misused and can attract antisocial behaviour. Here, the BPA Lawline team looks at what steps can be taken to tackle these issues and how operators can deploy available technologies to maintain safe car parks for their users and local communities.

Disabled bay abuse

Enhanced bay monitoring technology can be used to monitor accessible bays to ensure a Blue Badge is correctly displayed and, if not, issue a notice. However, deploying such technology, especially in private car parks, requires careful consideration of data protection requirements. For example:

1. Has the operator su iciently considered the basis to process personal and, in this case, special category data to ensure they have balanced a data subject’s rights against the purpose they are trying to achieve?

2. Are there su icient documents in place detailing and justifying the use of technology in order to ensure the wider obligations under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 are complied with?

Compiling a su icient suite of documents can be daunting but following guidance from the Information Commissioner’s O ice (ICO) and frontloading as much of the consideration for the deployment of bay monitoring technology is a huge time and cost saver. Current

ANPR technology does not provide functionality to specifically target accessible bay abuse and, while the ICO may raise concerns over function creep and enhanced monitoring of data subjects, this can reasonably be justified and balanced with the public good of a driver or passenger with mobility needs having ready access to essential amenities that they would otherwise have di iculty accessing.

Body-worn cameras

With training, parking attendants can use body-worn cameras to document incidents, provide evidence and deter potential abusers.

ICO concerns about videoing data subjects can be addressed by limiting use to situations involving abusive or violent individuals which, in turn, significantly reduces the scope of data that will be captured.

Unfortunately, abuse and violence towards frontline sta is rising. However, with proper training and justification, there is very little regulatory red tape preventing operators from using this technology to ensure sta safety.

Justified deterrent

Whether the technologies being developed are to deter the abuse of accessible bays or prevent and reduce violent behaviour, data protection regulation enables the benefit of reasonably and proportionate action to be placed at the centre of a business or

Derek Millard-Smith

BPA Lawline partner, JMW Solicitors LLP

bpa@jmw.co.uk

James Harvey

BPA Lawline solicitor, JMW Solicitors LLP

bpa@jmw.co.uk

local authority’s consideration. Any issues raised by the ICO that may be perceived to prohibit a business or local authority from using such technologies should actually not be viewed as a barrier for deployment. Instead, implementing justifications for using a particular technology provides an excellent opportunity for operators to communicate with disa ected groups, ensuring they feel heard.

Including consultation outcomes within a Data Protection Impact Assessment detailing the inconvenience and harm caused by misused accessible bays can help justify the use of appropriate technologies.

BPA Lawline: find out more

This information is for reference only, if you have any specific legal queries arising from the content of this article or generally you can contact Derek Millard-Smith and his team at JMW Solicitors through BPA Lawline via bpa@jmw.co.uk or call directly on 0345 241 3024. BPA members can receive up to 30 minutes free legal advice from BPA Lawline.

National Blue Badge Online Awareness Courses

A

zero-cost, resource-saving way to protect the Blue Badge Scheme

National Blue Badge is leading the way in safeguarding the Disabled Persons Blue Badge Scheme through our innovative Online Awareness Courses.

This groundbreaking initiative is aimed at people who misuse, abuse or use counterfeit Blue Badges. Our courses educate and raise awareness of the impact o enders’ actions have, helping to prevent future violations.

By focusing on education and behavioural change, our Online Awareness Courses play a crucial role in preserving the integrity of the Blue Badge Scheme, ensuring that it serves those who genuinely need it. In addition to our courses, National Blue Badge provide targeted warning letters, cautions and free prosecutions.

Our unique model supports local authorities by alleviating financial strain, allowing resources to be reallocated to other critical services. We use the latest technology and data-driven insights to address current and emerging challenges in Blue Badge misuse.

Driving behaviour change

Our innovative Online Awareness Courses represent a paradigm shi in Blue Badge enforcement. By prioritising education over punishment, our courses change behaviour and prevent repeat o ences. O enders gain a true insight into the impact of their actions, fostering responsible behaviour and long-term compliance. Our educational model provides local authorities with a powerful tool to address infractions while promoting a culture of respect and accountability.

A new era of enforcement

Traditionally, local authorities had limited options –primarily prosecutions – for addressing Blue Badge misuse. Our solution o ers a unique, proportionate, and e ective alternative. By shi ing the focus to awareness, education, and prevention, our courses streamline the

enforcement process and reduce the need for lengthy, time-consuming and expensive legal procedures.

Accessible and e icient learning

Available 24/7/365, our multilingual Online Awareness Courses can be completed in approximately three hours. Our model o ers:

• An alternative to cautions or prosecutions.

• Proportionate and less severe remedies.

• Prevention of long-term consequences for o enders.

• Resource redeployment potential for local authorities.

• Cost-e ective solutions in both time and resources.

• Guaranteed outcomes for every case

• Full compliance with Department for Transport guidelines

A strong deterrent against potential o enders

• Education, awareness, and prevention of further misuse.

Promotingaccessibilityandinclusion

Ourmissionistoensureeveryeligibleindividualenjoys unimpededaccesstoparking,fosteringaninclusive environmentthatrespectsandsupportstheneedsof disabledpersons.

Cost-e ectiveenforcement

Ourapproachsignificantlyreducesthetimeandresources localauthoritiesspendonenforcement,cautionsand prosecutions,witho enderscoveringthecostoftheir owneducationbycompletinganoptimisingresourceand buildingcommunitytrust.

www.nationalbluebadge.com

The ultimate gathering for parking and mobility professionals

WE’RE THRILLED TO be back at the Coventry Building Society (CBS) Arena, bringing you the biggest stories, innovations and ideas shaping our sector. Parkex is, as always, the place to be but don’t miss the opportunity to explore the wider mobility space over at Tra ex and EVEX, as well as Cold Comfort, bringing together experts in highway management and operations from across central and local government.

What to expect in 2025

This year Parkex will run over two dynamic days with content, networking and innovation packed in from start to finish:

BPA Live Theatre – thought leaders tackle hot topics and continue vital sector conversations.

EVConnectTheatre – focus on electric

vehicles (EVs): infrastructure, legislation, accessibility and future trends.

John Heasman Innovation Awards – see the winners announced live as part of the BPA Parkex Social at the end of day one.

Exclusive Member Summits – Approved Operators meet on day one, Local Authorities on day two. These closed sessions give space for deeper discussion and peer networking.

Women in Parking Lunch and Learn – join this thriving community as it explores how the sector is embracing equality, diversity and inclusion.

Community, support and connection

The Parkex exhibition is always a highlight, where you can see cutting-edge products and services designed to raise standards and improve the parking experience for

everyone. Our team will be on Stand P47 – come by, say hello and connect with the people behind the BPA. You’ll also have the chance to chat with members of our council and service boards about the issues that matter most to you.

We hope you have an amazing time at Parkex 2025. With so much happening and our sector continuing to grow and evolve, this year’s show is set to be the best yet.

Parkex is more than just an event – it’s a celebration of the passion, creativity and commitment that make our industry thrive. See you at the CBS Arena!

Dave Smith

BPA head of events and marketing

Floor plan

Exhibitors

Aebi Schmidt UK E38

AGD C30

Appyway P52

Artsm/Topas F20

Arvoo P55

Audax P31

Autopay P60

Barbour Logic P54

Bizie P82

Blink P32

Bosch Security Systems C40

BPA P47

BPA Safer Parking Scheme PA14

Bridge Design & Engineering B57, E36

Bridges Exhibition B57, E36

Bucher Municipal C56, V10

Burke Bros Traffic Management B18

Cammax P36

Causeway B50

CC B53

CIHT B16

CoIX Group P90

Charnwood / Commercial Bodies D20

Compass Minerals C48

Compleo Charging Solutions P38

Cross Zlin P74

CSL TM Hire B24

Cyclomedia A62

Dareesoft Inc D11

DCBL P30

Designa P14

DTN E42

Easy Parking Solutions P33

Econ Engineering D46, E32, NP3, V9

Efaflex P16

Egis P56

ElectRoad A42

Eskuta P99

Eurodome B43

EV Blocks UK P45

Exactrak D44

Executive Hire Show E36

Fibox E22

Findlay Irvine B64

First Light Safety Products F14

Flow Analytics B14

Forbek B45

Frost Solutions B33

Garderos B42

Go2Sim P27 Hazen.ai B12

Hemisphere West Europe P20

Hemming Group E36

Highways Awards E36

Highways Jobs E36

Magazine

Ingeteam A20

Innovation Factory E19 Intelligent Traffic Systems D24

IPS Group P70

Jenoptik UK

Lbox Communications

Systems P8 Metdesk

What’s on

BPA Connect Theatre

WEDNESDAY 21 MAY

10:30 – 10:40

Welcome to Parkex Richard Walker, BPA president

11:00 – 11:15

Keynote from the Minister for the Future of Roads Lilian Greenwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for the Future of Roads), Department for Transport

11:30 – 12:30

Panel: How does the parking sector support an Integrated National Transport Strategy?

Speakers:

- Sarah Randall, BPA board member and director of local government and propositions, Agena Group

- Liam Henderson, future mobility lead, The Rail Innovation Group

- Vicky Edmonds, CEO, EVA England

- James Pollock, head of acquisitions and real estate, UK & Ireland, Q-Park

Moderator:

- Richard Walker, BPA president

13:30 – 14:30

Public private think tank

Exploring how we can deliver a parking and customer experience that’s fit for the future:

• Combating parking payment fraud

• The power of open data, within and beyond parking

• How AI can contribute towards accessibility and improving customer experience

Speakers:

- Jade Neville, marketing manager, Trellint

- Richard Boultbee, chair of Yorkshire & Humber Regional Group, BPA

- Hannah Fuller, director of commercial relationships, Unity5; co-founder, BPA Women in Parking

- Sean Green, parking manager, Westmorland

Moderator:

- Sarah Hubbard, BPA Parking Technology Interest Group representative and business development manager at RingGo

14:45 – 15:45

Learning Lab 1: Protection of frontline officers

• You said, we did – find out what’s happened since last year.

• The Beyond the Uniform campaign has caught the media’s attention. How did this public awareness campaign come about and has it been successful?

• What can we learn from the police service’s National Police Wellbeing Service to look after our frontline officers?

Speakers:

- Dave Brewster, Operation Hampshire coordinator and data analytics team, National Police Wellbeing Service

- Melissa Holmes, regional manager Midlands and North, APCOA Parking

- Sarah Baxter, democratic services and policy manager, PATROL

- Sarah Bussey, parking contracts manager, Brighton & Hove City Council

Moderator:

- Richard Walker, BPA president

16:00 – 17:00

Learning Lab 2: Investing in the reconfiguration of car parks

This workshop will provide practical key takeaways for owners, operators and suppliers of car park facilities:

• Asset opportunities: Identifying the key opportunities and concerns when reconfiguring and refurbishing car parks.

• Structural risks: Exploring the key structural risks to operating a car park today.

• Future parking provision: What

considerations are there?

Speakers:

- Andrew Potter, director, Parking Perspectives

- Russell Simmons, chair of BPA Parking Structures Group and MD of Stripe Consulting

- Richard Bowyer, vice chair of BPA Parking Structures Group and national sales manager, Triflex

17:15 – 19:00

BPA Parkex Awards and social

THURSDAY 22 MAY

10:45 – 11:00

Welcome from BPA vice president

Mike Marrs, BPA vice president

11:00 – 12:00

The Private Parking Code & associated framework

• An update on the current situation regarding implementation of the Government’s new single Code of Practice and associated framework.

• Hear from sector leading experts and practitioners about the expected timeline and impact of the new Code and the support being provided by the BPA.

Speakers:

- Gary Osner, CEO, ZZPS

- Derek Millard-Smith, partner, JMW Solicitors / BPA Lawline

- Conor Greely, director, Carflow

- Grahame Rose, director of development, GroupNexus

Moderator:

- Sara Roberts, BPA head of parking on private land

12:00 – 12:30

John Heasman Innovation Awards

– meet the winners

Mike Marrs, BPA vice president 12:45 – 14:00

BPA Women in Parking: delivering the BPA EDI Charter

This session will provide an

opportunity for members of the Women in Parking community to network and share knowledge and experiences with like-minded professionals as well as discussing future development opportunities.

Speakers:

- Jade Neville, marketing manager, Trellint

- Hannah Fuller, director of commercial relationships, Unity5; co-founder, BPA Women in Parking

Coventry Lounge

WEDNESDAY 21 MAY

11:00 – 13:00

Driving impact: key metrics & data to power private parking messaging. Sponsored by Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd (DCBL)

• Sector experts will lead and prompt discussion about the use of data and metrics to support messaging across the private parking sector.

• Paul Dawson, CEO, Agena Group, and Steve Clark, parking consultant, DCBL, will be joined by members of the BPA team including Ali Tooze, Sara Roberts, Gemma Dorans, Anne Bevis and Isaac Occhipinti.

• Join us for some great insights and inspiration and a spot of lunch.

• Pre-registration essential –register here forms.monday.com/ forms/8d9d ef4c8f35e020d92 c2dee5bf86444?r=use1

Speakers:

- Ali Tooze, BPA chief policy & engagement officer

- Isaac Occhipinti, BPA head of external affairs

- Sara Roberts, BPA head of parking on private land

- Gemma Dorans, BPA senior compliance manager

Moderators:

- Steve Clark, technical parking consultant, DCBL

- Paul Dawson, CEO, Agena Group

What’s on

THURSDAY 22 MAY

10:30 – 12:30

LA Forum

• Closed session for BPA local authority members to meet for a collaborative conversation about some of today’s most important topics, including PCN levels, local authority use of ANPR/CCTV in car parks and pavement parking.

• It will also enable peer-to-peer sharing of experience and potential solutions to some of the most prevalent challenges for local authorities and to explore opportunities for change.

EV Connect Theatre

WEDNESDAY 21 MAY

10:30 – 11:00

Keynote: Navigating the complexities of EV infrastructure funding and delivery

Sean Cleary, strategic delivery manager, City Group, Cambridge City Council

11:30 – 12:10

Panel: Leveraging AI in EV infrastructure deployment and management

• Exploring the role of AI in optimising location planning, bay management, occupancy tracking and equipment testing for durability.

Speakers:

- Mark Vernon, CTO, VREO

- Jonathan Clark, technical partnership manager, Unity5

- Alexandra Maillot, head of business development, Survision

Moderator:

– Scott Gow, chair, BPA EV Connect group

12:15 – 12:35

Case study: Successful rural EV charging deployment

• Exploring the challenges and triumphs of establishing a viable electric vehicle (EV) charging network in a rural setting.

• Moving beyond the welldocumented urban focus, we delve into a real-world project that successfully navigated the unique obstacles presented by sparsely populated areas. This case study will examine the project from inception to operation.

Richard Seppings, managing director, Electroad

14:00 – 14:40

Panel: The inclusive EV transition

• Examining strategies for equitable access to EV charging infrastructure across rural, periurban, urban and disadvantaged areas.

Speakers:

- Richard Mallendar, regional account manager, Energy Saving Trust

- David Bagwell, senior business development manager, Believ

- Vicky Edmonds, CEO, EVA England

Moderator:

- Kieran Fitsall, Brighton & Hove City Council

14:50 – 15:30

Drags vs drivers: the growth picture for EV and associated infrastructure

• Debating the factors that are either hindering (‘drags’) or accelerating (‘drivers’) the growth and development of the EV market.

Speakers:

- Mark Gray-Smith, regional account manager, Energy Saving Trust

- Scott Gow, director, Urban Fox

- Charlie Allen, head of business development, Believ

- Graham Parkhurst, professional sustainable mobility, University of the West of England

Moderator:

- Chris Rimmer, CENEX

THURSDAY 22 MAY

10:30 – 11:00

Overcoming the challenges of implementing cross-pavement gullies at local authority level

Shamala Evans Gadgil, senior programme/project manager, transportation and innovation, Coventry City Council

11:05 – 11:45

Learning Lab: All you need to know about making EV charging truly accessible

• Why is accessible charging important?

• What is PAS 1899 and Park Access EV?

• How is Park Access EV being implemented? Learn from rich data insights on progress so far.

Speakers:

- Mark Osmond, area manager –North West and North Wales, BPA

- Graham Footer, chief executive, Disabled Motoring UK

- David Bagwell, senior business development manager, Believ

- Harry Fisher, innovation manager, Motability Foundation

- Helen Dolphin, senior programme manager for access and inclusion, Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT)

Moderator:

- Sara Fisher, head of operations and business development, BPA

11:50 – 12:30

Panel: Standardising the electric future

• The importance of APDS (Alliance for Parking Data Standards) and OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface) standards.

• Challenges and opportunities in standards integration.

• Discussing the development and evolution of APDS and OCPI, and how these standards can adapt to the evolving needs of the EV

market, including advancements in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies and smart charging solutions.

• Analysing how standardised solutions can enhance user experience, increase consumer confidence and accelerate the widespread adoption of EVs.

Speakers:

- Jonathan Harrod Booth, former chair of British Standards ITS Committee and director, Harrod Booth Consulting

- James Peacock, business development manager, ZAPMAP

- Keith Williams, TIR board member, director, Parking Matters

Moderator:

- Shamala Evans Gadgil, senior programme/project manager, transportation and innovation, Coventry City Council

12:35 – 13:15

Panel: Commercial fleet electrification: challenges and opportunities

• This panel discussion will delve into the key challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning fleets to EVs.

• We will explore strategies for electrifying logistics and fleets, addressing critical issues such as infrastructure, charging solutions and costs.

Speakers:

- Sean Cleary, strategic delivery manager, City Group, Cambridge City Council

- Chris Demetriou, assistant director of corporate fleet, transport & accessible community transport, London Borough of Islington

- Peter Eggeman, programme manager, Fleet Support, Energy Saving Trust

- Trevor Palmer, founder and inventor, EV Blocks

Moderator:

- Sukky Choongh, environmental policy manager, SMMT

Speakers

Charlie Allen

Charlie heads up the public sector business development team at Believ and works with councils of all sizes, from London Boroughs to parish councils.

David Bagwell

David is a seasoned sales and leadership expert with experience in central government, public and private sectors. He is a member of the BPA’s Technology, Innovation and Research Board.

Sarah Baxter

Sarah has over 20 years’ experience in local government and the public sector. She is currently responsible for managing all governance and policy matters relating to the PATROL Joint Committee.

Richard Boultbee

Richard is chair of the BPA’s Yorkshire & Humber Regional Group, and a member of the Communications and External Affairs Board and the BPA’s Technology, Innovation and Research Board. He first worked in the sector after beginning work as a civil engineer before eventually becoming parking manager for Amber Valley Borough Council. He has held key roles at BSI, International Parking Systems, Creative Car Park and WPS.

Richard Bowyer

Richard has decades of experience protecting the built environment. Specialising in car park structures, he has served as vice chair of the BPA’s Structures Group for nine years. He co-authored several of the BPA’s ‘Parking Know How’s’ including the Winter Maintenance in Car Parks and Car Park Cleaning guides. He is Triflex’s national sales manager for car parks and Infrastructure.

Dave Brewster

Dave is a former police officer with 30 years’ experience. He has always maintained a focus on staff wellbeing and meaningful leadership and was responsible for developing the national strategy (Op Hampshire) to improve the response to officer and staff assaults for the College of Policing – National Police Wellbeing Service. The strategy has been

adopted across the UK. After over eight years in this field, Dave is considered a subject expert.

Sukky Choongh

Sukky has an MSc in environmental health and has previously worked as air quality officer for the London Borough of Islington. She was the project manager for Low Emission Logistics, a multiborough Mayor’s Air Quality-funded project led by Lambeth Council. She joined SMMT in 2017 as environmental policy manager.

Jonathan Clark

Jonathan is technical partnership manager at Zatpark. He is an enthusiastic and responsible IT professional with a track record of using his own initiative and achieving goals.

Steve Clark

Towards the end of his time working at the BPA, Steve was primarily focused on developing the new single Code of Practice as part of the Government Advisory Group, as well as working with BPA members on their consultation responses. Despite having retired, Steve’s love for parking remains undiminished and he continues to work with BPA members, including DCBL. He especially enjoys attending Parkex and is keen to share his knowledge with friends old and new.

Sean Cleary

Sean is a seasoned senior strategic delivery manager with over 20 years’ experience in the public and commercial sectors. Sean has a proven track record in team leadership, financial management, and project management and procurement. He is committed to driving positive change, fostering collaboration and contributing to sustainable infrastructure development.

Paul Dawson

Paul is CEO of Agena Group and has 18 years’ executive experience at Capita. Key projects include the Criminal Records Bureau, TfL Congestion Charging, Capita’s IT services and the Ministry of Justice’s Electronic Tagging.

Chris Demetriou

Chris is the assistant director of corporate fleet, transport and accessible community transport at the London Borough of Islington. His key priority is the council’s fleet electrification programme, which aims to transition existing vehicles to full battery electric models in alignment with the council’s 2030 net-zero commitment.

Helen Dolphin MBE

Helen is a committed campaigner on improving transport for disabled people. Helen runs Dolphin Diversity, which advises government, public, commercial and professional bodies on how to improve accessibility. She is currently working for Great British Railways’ Transition Team as engagement and consultation lead for the National Rail Accessibility Strategy (NRAS).

Gemma Dorans

Gemma is senior compliance manager at the BPA. She has been with the Association for over 12 years, previously working as senior conformity assessment manager.

Dr Vicky Edmonds

Vicky is CEO of EVA England and has nearly 20 years’ experience shaping UK Government transport decarbonisation policy. As the former head of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (now the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles), she spearheaded the UK’s 2030 phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars. She is a committed EV driver herself.

Peter Eggeman

Peter helps organisations to reduce their vehicle fleet greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and costs, while having appropriate and futureproof recharging infrastructure in place and maintaining operational delivery.

Shamala Evans-Gadgil

Shamala is an experienced senior civil engineer and programme/project manager, in the design and implementation of challenging, complex and wide-ranging infrastructure projects.

Speakers

Harry Fisher

Harry is an innovation manager at the Motability Foundation. He leads innovation projects within transport accessibility, with a particular focus on ensuring disabled people are heard in the development of future transport methods. This includes the Motability Foundation’s work to ensure EVs and charging infrastructure are accessible to all.

Sara Fisher

Sara is head of operations and business development at the BPA and is striving to ensure that BPA accredited car parks continue to meet the highest possible standards.

Kieran Fitsall

Now heading up Brighton & Hove’s EV Infrastructure team, Kieran has over 25 years’ experience in local government in parking and transformationrelated roles at Westminster City Council.

Graham Footer

Graham is chief executive of Disabled Motoring UK, a membership charity fighting to improve mobility and access for all people with disabilities including drivers, passengers, Blue Badge holders, scooter and wheelchair users.

Hannah Fuller

Hannah has been in the industry for the past 10 years, working across cashless and enforcement software. She represents technology on the BPA Council, and is a co-founder of BPA Women in Parking. Hannah has also been a BPA mentor, and sits on the BPA’s Professional Development and Standards Board.

Scott Gow

Scott has been in the parking industry for 30 years, seeing the introduction of decriminalised parking enforcement in the Road Traffic Act 1991. He moved into the EV sector two years ago and has observed many similarities with those early days. He worked in the smart city arena for several years, so he can see how IoT devices linked to the infrastructure will deliver efficiencies and how the data will be used to influence so many other aspects of the public realm.

Mark Gray-Smith

Mark is regional account manager at Energy Saving Trust. He leads its work on the Transport Decarbonisation: Local Authority Toolkit and supports local authorities across the South East to decarbonise transport, improve air quality and increase EV adoption as part of the Local Government Support Programme.

Conor Greely

Conor is the director and founder of Carflow, a car park management company specialising in ANPR. He chairs the BPA’s Technology, Innovation and Research Board and sits on the BPA council and board of directors. Following a Master’s in finance, he worked in financial markets for over 10 years before moving into the parking industry in 2013.

Sean Green

Sean is parking manager at Westmorland.

Lilian Greenwood

Lilian has worked as Shadow Local Transport Minister, Shadow Rail Minister, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport and Chair of the Transport Committee. She is Minister for the Future of Roads.

Jonathan Harrod Booth

Jonathan has over 30 years’ managerial experience in intelligent transport systems (ITS) and highwayrelated management systems. He has a broad range of experience in ITS, connected vehicles, network management, asset management and R&D projects.

Liam Henderson

Liam founded The Rail Innovation Group in 2016 and is its chair. He co-founded DataWharf, a product startup using data to revolutionise personalised mobility by transforming fragmented service information into AI-ready data. Liam has 17 years’ experience in transport planning. He is currently future mobility lead at The Rail Innovation Group.

Melissa Holmes

With more than seven years in the parking industry, five years in the police, and more than 20

years managing people, Melissa has a good understanding of the challenges the industry faces and how to overcome them. She is passionate about protecting the safety of frontline officers.

Sarah Hubbard

Sarah is business development manager at RingGo and a BPA council member for Parking Technology.

Alexandra Maillot

Alexandra is responsible for business development at Survision, with 10 years’ experience. She believes new technologies are enhancing mobility in parking by increasing revenue and customer satisfaction.

Richard Mallender

Richard is a regional account manager for the Energy Saving Trust within the Local Government Support Programme, offering support and advice on EV strategy, procurement and sustainable travel. Working closely with colleagues managing the OZEV on-street residential chargepoint scheme (ORCS) and Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure scheme (LEVI) and supporting the transition to EVs.

Mike Marrs

Mike is vice president of the BPA. After leading the growth of a company from a modest team of 150 to 6,000 employees, Mike decided to embark on a new journey after 20 years and resigned. Following a 12-month hiatus, Mike now leads the team at APN, a collective of specialist companies operating throughout the UK.

Derek Millard-Smith

Derek is a partner at JMW with over 20 years’ experience in consumer and trading law. He is the leading specialist lawyer in the UK parking sector, leading the recent related judicial reviews resulting in the withdrawal of legislation that, if left unchallenged, could have caused significant detriment to compliant motorists, landowners and the local and national economy. He and his team are appointed by the BPA to represent its membership, and in particular those parking enforcement companies and local authorities who are BPA Approved Operators.

Speakers

Jade Neville

Jade has 18 years’ experience in the parking sector covering public, private and technology sectors, and is currently sales operations and marketing manager (global) at Trellint. Jade is a keen champion of multiple campaigns, such as the protection of frontline teams, is a co-founder of Women in Parking UK and chair of the Women’s Safety Working Group for Women in Transport. Jade has been a member of the BPA council since 2017.

Isaac Occhipinti

Isaac is the BPA’s head of external affairs. He is currently delivering an external affairs and media strategy for the sector. He joined the BPA from the Energy and Utilities Alliance, where he spent more than 15 years working on energy and heating policy.

Mark Osmond

Mark is a BPA area manager covering the North West and North Wales. He consults with car park operators, local authorities, and other interested parties on a number of crime reduction initiatives including Park Mark, Park Mark Plus, Park Access Accreditation, Park Mark Freight and Safer Bus Stations.

Gary Osner

Gary has been involved in the parking industry from 1991, working initially with local councils collecting unpaid parking notices. He is the founder and CEO of ZZPS, one of the leading UK suppliers for the management of notices emanating from parking on private land. As a BPA board director, he has worked on the proposed single Code of Practice.

Graham Parkhurst

Graham has degrees in psychology, biological anthropology and transport geography. He is professor of sustainable mobility and director of the Centre for Transport and Society at UWE Bristol. Graham has been a researcher in transport and mobility studies since 1991 and has wide teaching experience. He is currently module leader for the Master’s module, Transport Policy & Finance.

James Peacock

James has worked across renewable energy and the electrification of transport since 2018. His core strengths are business development and sales, with an ability to explain difficult concepts honed during his former life as a secondary school physics teacher.

James Pollock

James is head of acquisitions and real estate, UK & Ireland, Q-Park

Andrew Potter

Andrew is a transportation planner and modeller. He specialises in bespoke modelling specification and implementation, transport survey design and collection, process management review, traffic management and car parking strategies. He is the director of Parking Perspectives.

Sarah Randall

Sarah joined Agena Group in 2023, providing parking and software solutions. Before this, she worked in local government for almost 15 years. At the BPA, Sarah is chair of the London Regional Group, chair of the Technology, Innovation and Research Board and a director, in addition to her role on the board.

Chris Rimmer

Chris is head of department in Cenex’s policy, strategy and implementation department. He led Cenex’s Infrastructure Strategy work for five years and now leads a team of experts in fleet, mobility and infrastructure.

Sara Roberts

Sara is the BPA’s head of parking on private land. She has been with the BPA for four and a half years.

Grahame Rose

Grahame is the development director at GroupNexus, one of the UK’s leading car park management companies. He has been in the parking industry for over 25 years, is a former main board director of the BPA and sits on the Business Services and Accreditations Board.

Richard Seppings

Richard’s background in engineering and experience in the renewables sector enables Electroad to install efficient, reliable EV charging solutions, creating accessible charging options that support the transition to electric vehicles while promoting local environmental initiatives.

Russell Simmons

A chartered construction manager and chartered building engineer, Russell is the founder of Stripe Consulting, which specialises in the car park built environment. He has been chair of the Parking Structures Group at the BPA for 10 years and chairs the Suicide Prevention Group and the Fire Risk in Car Parks Group. Russell is CEO of Ballast Nedam UK.

Ali Tooze

Ali is the BPA’s chief engagement and policy officer. She has been with the organisation for over 20 years.

Mark Vernon

Mark is managing director of VREO Innovation. He has over 30 years’ experience in the ANPR industry. As part of the Local Government Support Programme, Mark works with local authorities in the south of England on a range of EV infrastructure and transport decarbonisation projects.

Richard Walker

Richard’s career spans more than 30 years in the local authority arena. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport; chair of the East Anglian Parking Forum, the BPA’s Local Authority Interest Group and the Positive Parking Agenda; a founder member and chair of Chipside’s local authority Modern Transport and Parking Forum; and vice president elect of the BPA.

Keith Williams

Keith is a director at Parking Matters and a board member at the Alliance for Parking Data Standards. He has extensive knowledge of parking technology, payment systems and data management gained from over 20 years in the parking industry.

Breaking the mold: Achieving more without spending more

Local authority budgets are tightening and the cost of resources are increasing. Optimising services (doing more with the same) or driving e iciency (doing the same with less) have never mattered more. Have you spoken to Trellint?

Who is Trellint?

Trellint is the trusted parking so ware partner to local authorities, delivering smart, data-driven solutions that power e icient, cost-e ective parking operations. With over two decades of experience and a team of long-standing industry experts, Trellint understands the pressures public sector teams face – and delivers real, measurable outcomes.

Meet the experts behind the innovation

TREVOR TAYLOR

Head of UK Operations

Challenge: Turning data into action Solution: Trevor leverages 26 years of operational experience to help clients make smarter, data-informed decisions. His focus? Using analytics to optimise sta ing, drive enforcement outcomes, and reduce ine iciencies.

Thanks to Trellint’s strategic use of analytics, local authorities have achieved:

• 22% reduction in deployed hours

• 9% increase in PCN issuance

• 41% increase in PCNs issued per hour

• 23% fewer PCN write-o s due to CEO error

Trevor’s expertise ensures that data isn’t just collected – it’s captured correctly, stored accessibly, and used meaningfully.

JADE NEVILLE Marketing Manager

Challenge: Access to real subjectmatter experts

Solution: Jade is aware success in any partnership is about the people involved. At Trellint, expertise is homegrown. With team members who have been with the company for 10, 15, even 20 years or more, our people bring unmatched knowledge of both our platform and the market we serve. Jade knows that successful partnerships are built on relationships and our clients benefit from deep trust and continuity across every interaction.

New solution spotlight: KERBSight

Smart deployment. Real-time insight. Transformational results.

KERBSight is Trellint’s latest innovation: a powerful, so warefirst platform designed to enhance the e iciency of parking enforcement operations.

What makes it di erent?

• Notice processing systemagnostic

• Centralises all parking rights data

• Seamlessly integrates with thirdparty ANPR

• Supports intelligent CEO deployment decisions

• O ers a low-cost hardware option – the value is in the platform

The results:

• 700% increase in VRM capture compared to foot patrols

• 41% increase in PCNs issued per hour in active zones

• Smarter enforcement through real-time zone compliance data

• Reduced time in highcompliance areas, allowing better coverage

DEAN FENNELL-CONNELL Head of UK Sales

Challenge: Disconnected data across systems

Solution: Dean helps clients unlock the full value of their solutions. As notice processing platforms become central to parking operations, interoperability with hardware like sensors and ANPR, as well as other data platforms, is essential. Trellint’s solutions are designed to make your data work harder, connecting insights across departments, devices, and other suppliers.

Why Trellint?

Our track record speaks for itself. With decades of experience, cutting-edge platforms, and a team that truly understands local government, Trellint is not just a supplier – we’re your strategic partner in driving smarter outcomes.

letschat@trellint.com trellint.com

Leading the charge in accessibility

Cambridge City Council’s Park Street car park is the first in the UK to receive a BPA Park Access

EV award. Parking News spoke to the council’s Sean Cleary and Daniel Morgan to find out more

Cambridge City Council has set a precedent in parking infrastructure by developing the first car park in the UK to receive the British Parking Association (BPA) and Disabled Motoring UK’s (DMUK) Park Access EV award. The accolade highlights the council’s commitment to improving accessibility for all, especially for those with disabilities, in a rapidly evolving transport landscape.

Bold transformation

Park Street multi-storey car park, built in 1967, had been facing the typical challenges associated with ageing infrastructure, including structural concerns and a decrease in footfall. Recognising that fewer people were visiting the city due to factors such as remote working and increased online shopping, the council realised that the car park’s outdated structure, with 500 parking spaces, needed a comprehensive transformation to

“It was clear from the start that we wanted to build something that would meet the needs of everyone”

better serve the needs of the city and its residents.

A bold decision was made to demolish the old structure and rebuild it. The new facility now features six levels of parking with 222 spaces, 26 of which are for electric vehicles (EVs). A major emphasis was placed on improving overall accessibility, with larger spaces and clearer signage, as well as more intuitive navigation to ensure a seamless experience for all users, including those with mobility issues.

The integration of EV charging infrastructure is in line with the council’s broader goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. As well as the active EV parking bays, Park Street includes a mix of passive charging bays, ensuring that it’s prepared for growing demand. Notably, the park’s disabled spaces are also equipped with EV chargers,

providing greater access to eco-friendly transportation for disabled users.

“The decision to include accessible EV charging bays from the outset was essential to ensure the new facility catered to all users,” explains Sean Cleary, strategic delivery manager at Cambridge City Council. “It was clear from the start that we wanted to build something that would meet the needs of everyone.”

Accessible and sustainable design

Special attention was paid to the layout of the disabled bays, ensuring that they were wide enough to accommodate larger vehicles, including adapted vehicles for disabled drivers. Plus, EV charging points were located in an easy-to-access, heightaware position. The car park is also designed to allow easy access to lifts, payment stations and exits, ensuring that users with mobility challenges

Park Street is the first car park in the UK to receive the BPA and DMUK’s Park Access EV award

can easily navigate the space. “We wanted to get this right, so we engaged with disabled access groups early on to make sure the specifications were perfect for all users,” says Daniel Morgan, senior operations manager at the council. “Accessibility was central to every decision, from the design of the bays to the installation of the EV chargers.”

“Cambridge City Council has proved that careful consideration to accessibility during design phase and benchmarking plans using BPA standards leads to a successful outcome. Park Steet is an impressive, welcoming and safe parking environment for everyone.”

Sara Fisher, BPA head of operations and business development

With 10% of the car park’s bays being active EV charging points at launch, the council has ensured the facility can adapt to changing needs. The charging capacity is designed to grow as demand for EVs increases, without requiring costly upgrades to the infrastructure.

Leading the way

While the BPA and DMUK award recognises the car park’s outstanding e ort in accessible EV charging facilities, the transformation of Park Street car park is just one part of a larger citywide e ort to future-proof parking infrastructure. The council

has committed to installing between 600 and 800 EV chargers across the city in the coming years. “It’s not just about this one car park,” says Sean. “It’s about setting the stage for every development in Cambridge. From hotels to new residential builds, accessibility and EV charging infrastructure will be at the heart of it.”

The work undertaken at Park Street also represents a larger cultural shi at the council, with a focus on accessibility and forward-thinking solutions. “We know that the demand for accessible and sustainable transport options will only continue to grow. The Park Street refurbishment is a model for the future, showing that it’s possible to meet those needs in a way that benefits everyone,” says Daniel.

QUICK FACTS

Car park sqm: 8,000 (approx) Number of levels: 6 Total car park bays: 222 Accessible bays: 16 EV charging bays: 26, with infrastructure to support additional chargers as demand grows Other facilities: Parking for 239 bicycles, 10 oversized bicycles and 20 motorcycles; adjacent five-storey, 229-room aparthotel with a gym, lounge and cafe

TO FIND OUT MORE about Park Access and Park Access EV visit britishparking.co.uk/park-access

And if you’ve been part of a new site development, renovation or a simple but transformational new idea, we’d like to hear about it. Share your best practice stories with editor@britishparking.co.uk

Special attention was paid to the layout of the disabled bays

BPA VIEW

DCBL and Parkingeye: a relationship built on success

Shared goals and standards, and a commitment to offering consumers fair and ethical treatment, ensure this renewed partnership has a brilliant future

Extending their partnership in a new four-year exclusivity deal, the UK’s leading debtresolution provider, DCBL, and Europe’s largest car park management company, Parkingeye, continue to raise industry standards

DCBL and DCB Legal’s CEO and founder, Gary Robinson, explains: “Our expertise, specifically in the parking industry, has allowed us to meet the interests of Parkingeye, providing them with bespoke services that enhance their ability to operate efficiently and ethically, whilst achieving early engagement and resolution for their customers.”

DCBL has cemented its place in the sector, achieving unrivalled levels of debt resolution, with a strong focus on finding the optimal outcome for both motorists and DCBL’s clients.

Similarly, Parkingeye maintains its position as the face of car park management in the UK, with thousands of car parks across the country.

Client focused

“What sets us apart from our rivals is our ability to assimilate with our clients, acting as an extension of their

team and providing them with tailored services that meet their specific goals and needs,” says Robinson. “This is a huge part of why our relationship with Parkingeye continues to strengthen. We understand each other’s values and therefore emphasise resolution over simply obtaining payments. It’s integral to us that customers are treated fairly, and our clients’ desired outcome is achieved responsibly.”

This ethical approach to debt resolution is a key contribution to DCBL’s relationship, not only with Parkingeye, but with all clients. Whilst DCBL’s profile in the sector speaks to the outstanding service it provides; its impressive roster of clients reflects its ability to nurture relationships and build trust with industry giants.

Helping DCBL reach new heights is its sister company DCB Legal, which offers specialist support through all stages of debt-resolution, enabling its clients to utilise DCBL in a way that meets their specific requirements.

Leading the way

“What makes our relationship with DCBL unique is our respective positions as

the largest companies in our fields,” says Parkingeye’s Dave Greenbank. “We’re both motivated by the pressure to lead from the front, so our mission over the next four years of our partnership is to continue innovating and improving on the services we provide, which will no doubt be felt throughout the rest of the parking and debt-resolution industries.”

The pressure to set standards and constantly improve is nothing new to DCBL which, with over 25 years of experience, is comfortably at the forefront of debt resolution.

Group strategy director of DCBL and DCB Legal, Lee Samuels-Camozzi, explains: “Being industry leaders often means you receive the most scrutiny, so we’re aligned with Parkingeye on that level; consistently seeking to raise the standards and improve not just our own approach, but the future direction of the wider sector.”

Extending their partnership with this new four-year exclusivity deal is a cogent indicator that DCBL and Parkingeye will continue to be the torch bearers when it comes to car park management and debt resolution.

Welfare and vulnerability

Recognising vulnerabilities in customers and handling their cases ethically is an integral part of DCBL’s resolution process. managing director, Darren Connor, highlights. “Identifying vulnerability is at the forefront of our approach,” he says. “Our ability to engage at the earliest possible stage through multiple communication channels allows us to connect vulnerable customers with our dedicated welfare team.”

Meticulously ensuring that best practices are adhered to, and doing it with compassion, is something Greenbank prioritises at Parkingeye too:

“It makes our relationship easy knowing that they [DCBL] share our values of providing a service that is fair. It’s not just about resolving parking charges; it’s about making sure it’s done with care and has a positive impact on the service we provide our entire customer base.”

Earlier in the year, DCBL commissioned market research which was collated with third-party data into their report Understanding an everchanging customer base. The report found that financial anxiety is a growing concern amongst the UK public, with 70 per cent of adults experiencing stress over managing their finances in the past year.

As proponents of ethical debt resolution, DCBL has used this report to inform and enhance its strategy, ensuring that customers are engaged with their cases, resolving their debts efficiently and mitigating potential stress.

The future of debt resolution

Parkingeye will be amongst the first to benefit from the introduction of DCBL’s bespoke Customer App, which is poised to revolutionise debt-management in the parking industry.

The DCBL App was developed and designed in-house with the support and expertise of their payment experts.

“As the needs of our customers evolve, it’s important that we provide greater accessibility,” says Robinson. “That’s why we’ve invested in the DCBL app, as an additional channel for customers to manage cases at their convenience.”

Utilising technology to take the stress out of debt resonates with Parkingeye, as Greenbank explains:

“Improving accessibility and communication is a priority in the current age of parking, and DCBL’s app reflects this. It’s a fantastic innovation to kick off our renewed partnership and a sign of our combined commitment to a bright future for the parking world.”

DCBL’s founder and CEO Gary Robinson (right) with Phil Boynes, director of Parkingeye

Remembering Professor Donald Shoup

A visionary who made a lasting contribution to urban planning education and practice

DMovers and shakers

A round-up of the latest hires, departures and promotions across the industry

onald Shoup, a distinguished professor of urban planning at UCLA and a transformative figure in the realm of parking, passed away at the age of 86 on 6 February 2025 following a short illness. His pioneering work, particularly in parking reform, le a deep-rooted mark on the field and inspired countless scholars, students and urban planners.

Born in Long Beach, California in 1938, Donald earned his PhD in economics from Yale University in 1968. He joined UCLA’s Institute of Government and Public A airs the same year and quickly established himself as a leading voice in urban planning. Throughout his career, he served as chair of the Department of Urban Planning and director of the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies, while holding visiting appointments at prestigious institutions including Cambridge University and the University of Hawaii.

Donald’s groundbreaking research illuminated the o en-overlooked dynamics of parking management, revealing how mundane provisions in zoning codes led to an excessive dependence on driving. His seminal book, The High Cost of Free Parking, published in 2005 and revised in 2011, became a cornerstone of urban planning literature.

Known a ectionately as ‘UCLA’s parking guru’ and the ‘Shoup Dogg’, his influence extended beyond academia into popular

culture, inspiring a Facebook group and even a feature on the American TV show Adam Ruins Everything

Despite retiring in 2015, Donald remained an active presence within the UCLA Luskin community and was set toteachhisrenownedparkingcoursein spring2025.Hislegacyiscarriedonbyhis devotedwife,Pat,hisbrotherFrank,and hisnieceandnephew,AllisonandElliot, alongwithElliot’swife,Megan,andtheir threechildren.

Donald’sworknotonlychangedtheway citiesapproachparkingbutalsoinspireda movementtowardmoresustainableurban living.Hiswit,charmandunwavering commitmenttoimprovingurban environmentswillbedearlymissed.

WiththankstoStanPaulatUCLALuskin SchoolofPublicAffairs.Toreadthe fullobituary,visitluskin.ucla.edu/inmemoriam-donald-shoup-renowneducla-urban-planner-and-parkingreform-pioneer

“We were saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Donald Shoup, whose influential research and publications still resonate. It was a thrill and honour to have Professor Shoup speak at our online Annual Conference in 2021.

• Julian de Unamuno joins APCOA as its new chief financial officer (CFO). He brings over 20 years of financial leadership experience, including five years in the parking industry, a sector he is passionate about.

• Mike Clarke is the new chief human resources officer (CHRO) at APCOA. He has over 30 years’ experience in HR. Most recently, he served as COO and CHRO at Hero MotoCorp in India.

• Maddi Solloway-Price has been appointed as the new head of road freight & English regions policy at Logistics UK. She joins the trade association from the House of Commons where she was a chief of staff, having also previously spent five years working as a regional campaign manager.

As the great man said: “Intelligent transportation technology is key to better parking management. The adage that ‘You can’t manage what you can’t measure’ fits parking perfectly.”

Dave Smith, BPA head of marketing and events

BPA VIEW

BPA

updates

NEWS, AWARDS, NEW MEMBERS, AND MORE...

Governance matters

he BPA is pleased to announce current president of the BPA, Richard Walker, has been appointed chair of the BPA board. He will finish his term as president in July before beginning a threeyear term in the new role.

Mike Marrs has been confirmed as president for 2025/26, marking his second term – a first for the BPA. Congratulations to both Richard and Mike on their positions. The BPA also received four nominations for vice president 2025-26 and is delighted to announce that Steven Foster received the most votes.

Congratulations to Steven and thank you to all candidates.

Council elections are underway with 13 vacancies, whose terms finish at the end of June 2025. The council sits at the heart of the BPA’s work and influences long-term strategic direction by advising our

board. Interested? The seats up for nomination are:

• Parking on Private Land Operators x 3 seats

• Local Authorities x 3 seats

• Enforcement Agencies x 2 seats

• Eastern Regional x 1 seat

• EV Connect x 1 seat

• North West Regional x 1 seat

• Parking Technology x 1 seat

• Yorkshire & Humber Regional x 1 seat

There is also a one-year mid-term seat for our Parking Technology Group and a two-year mid-term seat for the Midlands Regional Group up for nomination. The BPA looks forward to these elections and welcoming new and returning members to our council of representatives. For governance queries, please email: elections@britishparking.co.uk

Welcome to the BPA’s new members!

Pinnacle Strategy Consulting

Dedicated to helping organisations in the private parking, mobility and transport management sectors with tailored consulting services. pinnaclestrategy.co.uk

Watching UK

Design, supply, installation and maintenance of ANPR & CCTV systems. watchinguk.com

RMC Business Solutions

Security, environmental and enforcement solutions for businesses and government. rmc.ltd

John Heasman Innovation Awards 2025

Parkex 2025 sees the launch of three new awards to celebrate the legacy of one of the BPA’s most influential and inspirational figures. A former director general and BPA president from 1989 to 1991, John Heasman played a pivotal role in establishing the inaugural Parkex exhibition in Telford in 1993. What better way to commemorate such a significant figure in the BPA’s history than by recognising and celebrating excellence in innovation, parking structures and sustainability. The three categories are:

• ParkingStructures

• ParkingTechnology

• ZeroEmission

Toviewthecriteria,T&Csandentrydetails, pleasevisitlanding.britishparking.co.uk/ johnheasmaninnovationawards2025

Richard Walker

Mike Marrs

Register now for AOS Live: the UK’s premier event for parking on private land

et ready for a day filled with conversation, debate, reflection and learning at AOS Live, the UK’s event focused on parking on private land. Hosted by the esteemed Alan Shortt, a renowned figure in broadcasting, comedy and communications, the event will take place on Thursday 18 September at the Docklands Museum, London. It promises an objective look at the intricacies of parking on private land and the reputational challenges faced by the industry.

Key programme themes include:

• Managing reputation: discover how the sector can effectively communicate its story to the media, engage stakeholders and protect its reputation.

• Communication in enforcement: learn best practices for maintaining effective communication throughout the enforcement process.

• Data, technology and AI: investigate the possibilities offered by advanced technology and AI in parking management.

• Code of Practice Act: reflect on and discuss the current status and implications of the act.

Why attend?

• Stunning location: experience the event at a historic venue in the heart of Canary Wharf.

• Exhibition: explore the latest products and services supporting excellent parking management.

• Networking: end the day with drinks on the terrace, providing a perfect chance to network and reflect on insights gained throughout the event.

REGISTERNOWtobepartofthe conversationshapingthefutureof parkingonprivateland.Visit britishparking.co.uk/events/aoslive-2025/15983?occid=21879 to secureyourspot.

Recognising high standards

Park Access: Waverley Borough Council has received 26 new Park Mark awards and 19 Park Access awards across its sites. Ingka Centres’ site at Brighton’s Churchill Square earned Park Access and Park Mark Plus awards and Pescod Square shopping centre earned a Park Access and a Park Mark award.

Park Mark: Scunthorpe and Grimsby Hospital has earned a Park Mark award, another for the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust. We’re also pleased to announce two new Park Mark accredited sites in Southampton, with the highest safety standards being demonstrated across their parking operations. The University of Southampton achieved a Park Mark accreditation on one of its car parks as part of the Safer Parking Scheme. Total Parking Solutions also received Park Mark accreditation in Southampton for its site at Southampton Solent University.

NationalBlueBadgeDay ofAction2025

This year’s day of action will take place on Friday 30 May and is dedicated to raising awareness and taking action against the misuse of Blue Badges. Local authorities, enforcement agencies and the public will unite to ensure the Blue Badge scheme is used correctly, helping those who genuinely need it.

To sign up, visit bbdayofaction.com/ newsletter. Participants will receive a communication toolkit including social media graphics and a poster.

Marketplace

BPA’s product and services guide

APPYWAY

Helping cities decarbonise, from the kerb up. Faster, more accurate digital tra ic order management. Automated, centralised tari management. Driver-centric parking payments and connected car services. Real-time bay occupancy and insights. EV charge point integrations and data-led rollout. sales@appyway.com | appyway.com

CAMMAX LIMITED

Cammax o er innovative payment systems to today’s ever changing parking market. Providing our partners with tailored pay on foot, pay & display and hybrid parking payment systems. With our intuitive customer-facing applications and data rich back end systems, Cammax o er flexible solutions along with outstanding customer service. 01977 669946 | info@cammaxlimited.co.uk | www.cammaxlimited.co.uk

CSL

CSL has been providing secure connectivity for critical IoT applications for over 25 years. Their fully managed, end-to-end connectivity innovations utilise technologies such as 4G and are secure, reliable and hassle-free, whilst their expert support teams are here for you 24/7.

+44 (0) 7909 991 090 | hiran.ravat@csl-group.com

DESIGNA

DESIGNA design, manufacture and install fully automatic “Pay-on-foot” car parking systems. DESIGNA provides the answer to your parking needs with more than 16,000 installations worldwide; from simple standalone systems, to large, citywide networks, entire airport complexes, hotels, shopping centres and hospital estates. 01932 784040 | sales@designauk.com | www.designa.com

DIRECT COLLECTION BAILIFFS LTD

The UK’s largest parking enforcement debt resolution provider. Letter cycle recovery service with a 25% higher collection rate than our competitors. 0203 434 6132 | enquiries@dcbltd.com

FLOOR & WALL LTD

Floor + Wall operates throughout the U.K. O ering a range of services from specialist waterproofing coatings for parking structures, industrial screeds and specialist resin flooring, structural waterproofing and concrete repairs.

As an award winning family built company we are continuously looking to challenge and develop the way the industry engages contractors.

Floor and Wall Ltd, Kelfield House, Berkeley Business Centre, Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe DN15 7DQ | +44 (0) 1724 281 500 | www.floorandwallltd.com

G24

G24 specialises in providing car park management solutions specifically tailored to suit retailers, retail parks and other corporate and independent organisations throughout the UK. Caroline Sargeant | 0370 0427 215 | caroline.sargeant@g24.co.uk | www.g24.co.uk

HUB PARKING TECHNOLOGY

HUB Parking Technology develops, manufactures, installs, and provides a er-sales support for HUB Parking Access and Revenue Control Systems. The company creates state-of-the-art systems that make parking e icient, profitable and easy to manage. Sarah Cosby | sarah.cosby@faac.co.uk

MAKERS CONSTRUCTION LIMITED

Leading experts in car parking refurbishment with over 40 years of contracting experience. O ering life care planning, testing and investigation with full turnkey solutions to the parking industry to refurbish, maintain and enhance your parking facility.

08458 994444 | enquiries@makers.biz | www.makers.biz

NMI

NMI develops trusted payment so ware for mobile, online, and in-store payments. You’ve probably used it without realising it when booking a ticket, paying for parking, or making a charity donation. Its Payment Gateway is used by developers worldwide to add payments to their solutions enabling them to focus on what they do best.

0117 930 4455 | hello@nmi.com | www.nmi.com

NSGL

NSGL Parking believe that parking should be simple and stress free. A er all it is the most insignificant part of any journey but usually the part that is the most emotive.

03333 201 858 | admin@nsglparking.co.uk | www.nsglparking.co.uk

PARKING ASSOCIATES LTD

Parking Associates o ers an independent perspective and insight, providing unbiased innovative ideas to increase all-round e iciency. The services are available for short or long-term projects.

Kirsty Reeves | 07917353218 | info@parkingassociates.co.uk www.parkingassociates.co.uk

PARKINGEYE

As the ANPR market-leader, Parkingeye’s mission is to make life easier for businesses and their customers by giving them the capabilities to park e ortlessly in a highly connected world. Managing thousands of sites with a 98% client retention rate, our team deliver results which help our customers thrive.

Parkingeye Ltd | 01772 450 542 | marketing@parkingeye.co.uk | www.parkingeye.co.uk

Marketplace

PARKSMART SOLUTIONS

An extensive, fully configurable PCN Suite, including web and mobile Attendant, Front of House Kiosk, DVLA Scanning applications. Automated Management Portal supporting Static & Mobile ANPR PCN issuing with IVR, Driver App & Pay By Text or Phone. Location Geo Fencing with Self Set Up. 0333 332 7930 | info@parksmartsolutions.co.uk

STRUCTURECARE

With a proven track record of excellence, we specialise in revitalising and optimising multi-storey car parks to meet the highest standards of functionality, safety, and aesthetics, including, concrete repair, expansion joints, deck and decorative coatings, line and bay demarcations, and maintenance programmes. 01270 439909 | info@structurecare.com | www.structurecare.com

SWARCO TRAFFIC LTD

Experts in parking systems, electric vehicle charging solutions, signage & safety systems, and traffic control & management. SWARCO solutions improve quality of life by making the travel experience safer, quicker, more convenient and environmentally sound. 01748 824624 | info.uk@swarco.com | www.swarco.com

TAGMASTER UK

TagMaster UK Limited is a leading manufacturer and supplier of traffic monitoring equipment, a wide range of instrumentation and software systems are available ranging from temporary deployable radar devices through to full real-time ITS systems.

4 Caxton Place, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2UG 01438 347555 | sales.uk@tagmaster.com | | www.uk.tagmaster.com

TWIN

The smart choice for any organisation in any parking and EV charging environment. Our contactless payment terminals and our mobile phone app, Twinpay, offer a seamless payment platform with dual functionality to pay for parking or EV charging. Supported by a unique back office system, the Twin range of products is fully OCPP compliant. 0114 3497070 | enquiries@twinpay.com | www.twinpay.com

UNITY5

Unity5 make the complex simple with market leading Zatpark parking enforcement, administration and management software, incorporating an ANPR-enabled street enforcement mobile app. Features provide complete control of the full life-cycle of parking enforcement data, from issue to recovery action and every step between. 03333 440515 | www.unity5.com

Specialist services

Suppliers to support your operation

Softly or Softy?

Kelvin Reynolds asks the question: should we embrace empathy in parking enforcement for better community engagement?

When people treat each other with respect and kindness, they feel valued and appreciated, leading to greater engagement and empathy. Some years ago I wrote about the ‘E’s of good tra ic management. I suggested there are five: Engineering, Education, Empathy, Engagement and Enforcement.

My colleague, Dave Smith, expressed scepticism about a paragraph I wrote in Park Life for the March/April edition: “A PCN alone is a not a ‘penalty’ or ‘fine’ or ‘charge’. It becomes one only when it’s paid! In practice, a PCN is an invitation to discuss, through representations and appeals, the details of the parking event when the driver doesn’t agree that a contravention occurred.”

Dave noted: “A PCN stuck to a windscreen clearly says ‘penalty’ on it. It doesn’t say ‘this might be a penalty if you admit you parked in contravention’ or ‘You are invited to pay or dispute this speculative PCN.”

Interesting point, Dave! It’s technically not a penalty or fine or charge until it’s paid. Before that, it’s simply a notice to say that a penalty or charge is due. The notice must inform you of the enforcement o icer’s beliefs about what happened and how to respond if you disagree. Should we so en the language we use? It might encourage a more

cooperative, as opposed to combative, style of street management. People dislike being told they can’t do something, especially motorists.

Personally, I’ve never agreed with the term civil enforcement o icer, introduced by the Tra ic Management Act 2004. Previously, people were called parking attendants. The current terminology emphasises enforcement and feels more aggressive. While the act introduces the term CEO, it doesn’t require it to be used. Continuing to use parking attendant remains legal, yet most local authorities have adopted CEO. Some, like Westminster, have used the term tra ic marshall.

In the private sector, the terms ‘penalty’ or ‘fine’ are prohibited. Only public bodies can use them because the law defines the contraventions. In the private sector it’s a breach of contract, and so they are additional parking charges, for example, or compensation for breach of contract.

Protecting workers

Our e orts to protect frontline workers, who bear the brunt of the abuse, continue. There is no excuse for violence in the workplace, so should we also adopt a less confrontational approach to parking enforcement?

Recently, Brighton & Hove City Council and North Essex Parking Partnership launched the Beyond the Uniform campaign addressing violence

against our frontline parking sta . It encourages the public to recognise CEOs as real people with other interests and, importantly, feelings, just like everyone else.

Most motorists don’t wake up in the morning intending to contravene parking rules or abuse a CEO; why then do we treat them harshly?

Taking a cue from Dave, should a PCN carrier (the envelope it is placed in) read, “You may need to pay a penalty charge”, instead of simply stating ‘Penalty Charge Notice’ with dire warnings about ignoring or removing it? And why is it black and yellow, colours reminiscent of stinging insects?

These are rhetorical questions, but I believe we can make the parking sector more customer-friendly. It’s time for CIVIL parking enforcement to become more CIVIL… and perhaps the private sector will follow suit! What do you think? Kelvin Reynolds