Parking News – November/December 2024

Forward momentum Upfront

As we approach the end of the year, it has been no surprise to see our incredible BPA community come together to engage and connect in record numbers during 2024. It has never been more important to share experiences, knowledge and ideas to help tackle unprecedented challenges and seize new opportunities across our sector.

At Parkex in May, we discovered the date of the General Election. It is still unclear whether some of the Conservatives’ policies will continue to be adopted and maintained by Labour, but we remain fully engaged with the relevant departments to ensure the influential voice of our BPA community is heard on matters such as the National Parking Platform, Private Parking Code of Practice and many more.

Also at Parkex, it was a great honour to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, committing to a set of principles to support ex-military personnel and their families – a key commitment as part of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

Last month saw the official implementation of the Sector Single Code of Practice, which was launched in June. This is a key milestone as we work closely with the new Government, consumer bodies and others to deliver fairer and more consistent parking standards for motorists. We will continue to push for a positive outcome for all.

We’ve also kick-started our autumn events season with visits to Perth for Parking Scotland and Swansea for Parking and Transport Wales (page 32). Collectively, this demonstrates our commitment to deliver a programme of relevant and innovative events, which provide opportunities for members to network, gain knowledge and learn about the latest developments in the sector.

It was great a privilege to witness Richard Walker’s belated inauguration as President in October, the original date having been moved due to the election, and wonderful to see so many members of our BPA community in attendance to show their support for Richard and Mike Marrs, our Vice President. In November, we visit Dublin for the very first All-Ireland Parking Show, and 2024 culminates in the ever-popular Members’ Dinner.

Thank you for your tremendous support.

Andrew Pester Chief Executive www.linkedin.com/company/ british-parking-association

Parking News is published by on behalf of the British Parking Association

Editor

Sophie Vening editor@britishparking.co.uk

Advertising

Bevan Fawcett

bevan.fawcett@ 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 2024 ISSN 1470-8361

Welcome

During my first weeks as editor of Parking News, I’ve been impressed with the passion, dedication and proactive attitude of the people I’ve met in the sector. Parking is entwined with society’s big issues, including accessibility, sustainability, active lifestyles and the advance of technology. Good parking improves people’s lives every single day. This is demonstrated in many of the features this issue, from improving traveller confidence through the BPA’s AM-GO scheme (p16) to helping people access major events (p12). We also touch on practical skills to help operators in their work, from reducing PCN debt (p20) to building working relationships (p18). I look forward to speaking to many more of you in the coming months, and please do get in touch if you have a story or viewpoint to share.

Sophie Vening Editor

< ON THE COVER The BPA’s new Approved Meet and Greet Parking Operator scheme is ready for take-o . See page 16

12 | Main event

We explore the issues facing operators during surges in parking demand, whether caused by a rock star in town or a seasonal retail li

16 | Get set for AM-GO

All you need to know about the BPA’s new Approved Meet and Greet Parking Operator scheme

18 | The art of togetherness

Find out how to build and maintain good relationships, whether with suppliers, landowners or your customers

20 | Roundtable: debt collection for local authority operators

Three members share their views on the age-old issue of debt recovery

30 | Best practice

How a new car park in Blackpool has wowed awards judges

6 | Digest

The latest on Blue Badge fraud, pavement parking in the spotlight, and the British Parking Awards winners

27 | Legal view

Derek Millard-Smith on challenging the press to write positive parking news

32 | Events

Including a preview of what’s in store for 2025, and reports from Scotland and Wales expos

36 | Parking people

Norman Downie remembered, plus movers and shakers in the sector

39 | BPA updates

Welcoming new members, and the latest from the BPA

46 | Parklife

Kelvin Reynolds on a time of transformation for the sector

41 | Specialist services

42 | Marketplace

NEWS FROM THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS

Report shows scale of urban Blue Badge fraud

Anew report from the National Agency for Blue Badge Fraud Investigations (BBFI) highlights the scale of Blue Badge fraud and disabled parking misuse in urban areas across the UK.

The report shows that up to 70% of Blue Badges in some areas are being misused or fraudulently obtained, with knock-on effects including parking on yellow lines and disabled spaces being full, leaving legitimate users unable to park.

The BBFI has been researching the true state of Blue Badge fraud in the UK over the past year and is

publishing the results to highlight the issues and how local authorities can work to resolve them. Figures released in the summer showed that Blue Badge misuse in London has risen by 420% in the past decade – 18 Londoners a day have their badges stolen or misused.

READ MORE Find out how local authorities can tackle Blue Badge misuse in Parking News September (members can access it at britishparking.co.uk). To help the BPA develop guidance on Blue Badge enforcement, contact Sarah Greenslade at sarah.g@britishparking.co.uk

BPA VIEW

“It’s of great concern to us that Blue Badge fraud continues to rise, this has consequences to large numbers of people who rely of disabled and accessible bays. We strongly support the initiatives that our members are taking to tackle fraud and especially the Blue Badge Day of Action.”

Isaac Occhipinti, BPA head of external affairs

Parking fines at beauty spot

Cumbria Police issued 64 parking tickets in a single afternoon at a popular tourist attraction after what officers described as “some of the worst parking they had ever seen in the area”.

The visitors had parked alongside Wastwater in the Lake District, on 21 September, on a section of road designated as a clearway. The police said it was a “good job” the emergency services hadn’t been trying to get through and appealed for people to be considerate when visiting the area.

REACH OUT

Develop your ‘soft skills’ to build better working relationships, p18

New parking rules at Newcastle Airport

New traffic regulations have been introduced at Newcastle International Airport to tackle what Newcastle City Council described as “illegal, inconsiderate and dangerous behaviour”.

To prevent motorists parking on roads and grass verges while they wait to pick up family and friends, vehicles are now prohibited from stopping or parking on a ‘red route’ around the site.

There is currently an area in a short-stay car park at the airport where motorists can stop for 15 minutes without charge. The express pick-up and drop-off car park costs £4 for 10 minutes, £7 for 30 minutes and £11 for an hour. The airport says it is working on plans to create a potential new short-stay parking area.

A report by the local authority said: “Newcastle City Council has proposed the red route to allow traffic to flow freely and without obstruction and restriction. The system will also ensure that vehicles can move seamlessly, reducing congestion and the risk of traffic disruptions.”

However, people living nearby have said they are concerned that the ban will simply push motorists into residential streets.

READ MORE about the BPA’s new Approved Meet and Greet Operator scheme on pages 16-17

Talking points

Oxfordshire County Council approves station plans

Oxfordshire County Council has approved plans to improve the road layout and facilities at Banbury Rail Station, with work set to begin this autumn and expected to take a year.

The work will give better access to the west station car park and includes the addition of new bus stops, cycleways and footpaths.

PoGo Charge joins Zap-Pay EV charging network PoGo Charge has joined the ranks of operators partnering with Zapmap’s in-app payment platform, Zap-Pay. PoGo Charge has around 150 charge points across the UK.

Believ acquires SMS Public EV charging

Believ has partnered with Smart Metering Systems (SMS), buying its Public EV Charging Business, to widen its network of EV charging points. As part of the deal, 10 employees will join the Believ team to give continuity to SMS’ customers and SMS will continue to provide metering, delivery and energy services.

JustPark partners with McDonald’s Monopoly

Bookable parking platform JustPark has joined forces with the McDonald’s Monopoly competition to offer ‘Free Parking’ prizes to customers.

The annual promotion and competition, which this year ran for six weeks from 4 September, operates across more than 1,400 McDonald’s sites and reaches 11 million of the company’s app users. This year, 92,000 winners could receive £5 free parking credit, and one lucky number had a prize of a £250 voucher. The deal is the latest arranged by JustPark, which has previously worked with Trainline and Ticketmaster on promotional activities to drive more traffic to its partners’ parking spaces.

Jonathan Hampson, chief commercial officer at JustPark, said: “Our involvement in McDonald’s Monopoly places JustPark at the heart of what is arguably the UK’s biggest brand engagement platform. This is more than just a game – it’s an annual event that excites the public and offers us an incredible opportunity to showcase the convenience of JustPark.

“By partnering with McDonald’s Monopoly, we are delivering real value not only to customers but also to our partners, helping raise awareness of our offering to a massive new audience and therefore enabling our parking partners to attract new customers, increase occupancy rates, and maximise profitability.”

Cornwall Council community boost Car parks operated by Cornwall Council will be free to use on three dates in December as part of a move to encourage consumers to support local shops and businesses in their community. Travel will also be free on Truro Park and Ride as part of the scheme, which ties in with the nationwide initiative, Small Business Saturday, on 7 December.

READ MORE about managing parking during busy retail periods, page 12

Be.EV secures retail centre deal Charging network Be.EV has agreed a £3.5m deal for 38 ultra-rapid chargers at four shopping centres across England.

The group of retail centres, backed by Magnetar Capital and Northdale Advisers, will be equipped with Kempower chargers, which can top up range by 165 miles in 20 minutes. The new points will be installed at Corby Town Centre Shopping in Corby, Northants; One Stop Shopping in Perry Barr, Birmingham; Priory Shopping Centre in Dartford, Kent; and Yate Shopping Centre in South Gloucestershire.

READ MORE in Parking People, page 36

Believ gains carbon neutral accreditation

Charge point operator Believ has been accredited by Carbon Neutral Britain following a 12-month assessment period.

During its assessment, it was found that just 2% of the company’s total emissions came from its direct impact on the environment, with most coming from its staff commuting and energy use at home for hybrid workers.

Believ has also met the requirements of ISO 14064 greenhouse gases certification and GHG Protocol Emissions Standard which both reflect best practice policy in reporting direct and indirect emissions from a business and its operations.

Action on pavement parking gains momentum

More councils and action groups around the UK are taking steps to reduce pavement parking, following the move in Scotland to bring in a nationwide ban (as reported in Parking News, September).

On 10 September, the charity Living Streets sent a ‘greeting card’ with more than 5,000 signatures to Transport Minister Louise Haigh asking for the results of a Government consultation that closed in 2020 to be published. Catherine Woodhead, chief executive of Living Streets, said: “The new Transport Secretary has said she wants to move fast and fix things; putting an end to pavement parking is a great place to start.”

Meanwhile, Green-led Bristol City Council has set up a taskforce to bring about a ban on pavement parking as part of its wider plans to encourage more walking and cycling, including more double yellow lines and changing some on-street parking

BPA VIEW

“We urge the Government to make a decision on pavement parking, we have been waiting too long. However, we urge them to engage with the parking sector to ensure any decision will be practical and deliverable.”

Isaac Occhipinti, BPA head of external affairs

bays into cycle spaces. If a ban is introduced, Bristol would become the second city in England – after London – to restrict pavement parking.

In Wiltshire, Swindon Borough Council is trialling a ban on pavement parking in areas across the town, following complaints about the issue. The council said: “There will be a period of information and advice before formal enforcement commences and any penalty charge notices are issued.”

Simon Lightwood MP accepts the card from Living Streets’ Catherine Woodhead

British Parking Awards winners announced

This year’s British Parking Awards took place on 13 September in London with more than 650 people in attendance.

The BPA and the International Parking Community (IPC) were the winners of the Special Jury Award at the awards, in recognition for their work on a single Code of Practice for parking on private land.

The awards ceremony was hosted by comedian and broadcaster Paul Sinha and voiceover artist Richard Tilling. More than 140 entries were submitted and judged by a jury of 25 experts in the sector.

The full list of winners:

MiPermit Inspiration Award

Vaso Vaina, Managing Director, Stripe Consulting Lifetime Achievement Awards

Maureen Williams, Enforcement Manager, Camden Council

Amanda Jones, Associate Consultant (Traffic Orders), Project Centre

Special Jury Award

British Parking Association and International Parking Community for the Single Code of Practice for Parking on Private Land

Parking Person of the Year

Michael Wiktorko, Senior Service Area Manager –Customer Services, London Borough of Hackney

Rising Star Awards

Andrez Paszek, Junior IT

Project Manager, Agena Group

Nisha Damhar, Associate Director, WSP Liveable Places

Parking Team of the Year

ZZPS

Parking Operator of the Year

Q-Park

The Back Office Award

Durham County Council and NSL

The Front Line Award

Ellen Tooley, Civil Enforcement Officer, APCOA

Traffic Team of the Year

Project Centre

Parking Technology Award

Peterborough Borough Council and Imperial

Parking Partnerships Award

Marston Holdings,

Westminster City Council and the Metropolitan Police

Parking in the Community

Marston Holdings – NSL and Social Bite in Edinburgh and Westminster Communication Award

APCOA – Major Incident

Response to the Luton Airport car park fire

Best New Car Park Award

Blackpool Central

Multi-Storey Car Park

Car Parks: Special Projects Award

Fidelity Kingswood

Multi-Storey Car Park

Car Park Renovation Award

The Plaza Multi-Storey Car Park, Wokingham

EV Charging Award

Cambridge City Council, Connected Kerb and Stripe Consulting

Accessible Parking Award

London Borough of Haringey Connected Vehicles Award

Parkopedia

Better Streets Award

Pavement parking controls

– City of Edinburgh Council, Project Centre and NSL

Brighton spaces lost to Ikea plans

Plans for a new Ikea store in Brighton will reduce the number of car parking spaces in the city centre to make way for a clickand-collect area. Sixtyfour of the 1,560 spaces in the multi-storey car park at Churchill Square shopping centre will become 20 collection bays. Brighton Council says the “modest” reduction is “unlikely to compromise the effectiveness of the remaining space”.

Supermarket ANPR reduces anti-social behaviour

LOOK OUT for details of next year’s event, including how to enter, at britishparkingawards.uk

A Sainsbury’s store in Chippenham, Wiltshire, has worked with the local police force to tackle antisocial meet-ups in its car park by introducing ANPR. New regulations at the site place a two-hour limit on parking, reduced to 10 minutes when the store is closed, with those breaking the restrictions fined £85. The store introduced ANPR on the advice of Wiltshire Police, and issued £7,000 of fines in the first five weeks.

Crowd control

As the holiday season approaches, how can operators manage surges in demand for parking?

WORDS | ANDREA BALL

Whether it’s a crunch sporting clash or a big-name pop concert, large events can o er huge economic benefits to the towns and cities that host them, but the extra crowds inevitably mean an increase in tra ic and additional demands on parking facilities. The run-up to Christmas can be an especially busy time, with seasonal markets, lights switch-ons and shopping promotions all adding to the pressure on parking spaces. Forward-planning and preparedness is key for managing surges in demand, so how can operators plan ahead to help prevent customer frustration and problem parking?

“Event parking is like walking into the unknown,” says Peter Lowe, managing director of RTA Associates, which advises councils on managing parking operations, and chair of BPA Wales Parking and Transport Group. “With everyday parking, you’ve got your car parks, you’ve got your spaces, you know your tari s and you know roughly how many people are going to be there on a daily basis. With event parking, it’s about being aware of demand and then being able to match that anticipated demand.”

In June this year, US pop titan Taylor Swi brought her record-breaking Eras tour to the Principality Stadium in Cardi . Cardi Council provides a number of supervised park-and-ride facilities and to cope with the influx of fans, it also laid on extra trains, buses and coaches, and put a 400-metre vehicle exclusion zone around the periphery of the stadium. “It was well thought out,” says Peter. “Even taxis had

to drop o outside of it – unless they were carrying someone with a Blue Badge. Everybody knew well in advance, don’t take your car because you won’t get anywhere near the stadium.”

Despite these e orts, Wales Online reported that more than 330 penalty charge notices (PCNs) were handed out. Similarly, more than 400 PCNs were issued a er Pink’s huge concert at the Principality Stadium, attended by more than 50,000 fans, earlier the same month, and pictures emerged on social media showing cars parked on pavements and grass verges nearby.

“The problem we’ve got as an industry is the penalty charge level isn’t very high,” says Peter. If you park on double yellow lines it’s £70. If it’s a parking restriction contravention and it’s paid in 14 days, it’s £35. With four of you in the car, that’s £8.75 each, so there’s no disincentive.

“We’ve been talking to the Welsh Government about having a £100 PCN that’s then reduced to £50. It’s not a massive step, but it’s getting to ‘I’m not going to pay that…’ It was introduced in Scotland last year, and it works.”

Vehicle exclusion zones

As demonstrated in Cardi , vehicle exclusion zones can be a useful tool for managing event parking, but there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. “You’ve got to take each event on merit,” says Peter. “With regular events, such as football or cricket that might be happening every other week, you can set tra ic regulation orders to suit. In a residents’ area around the ground, the parking regime can change on match days. You have flaps on the signs that are opened before the event: ‘Match day parking. No

“With event parking, it’s about being aware of demand and then being able to match that anticipated demand”

parking between 2pm and 10pm. Permit holders only.’

“Special events could be managed through a temporary tra ic regulation order. So the local authority can help by bringing in temporary orders to prevent people doing what they shouldn’t.

“You can’t really extend no-go zones any wider, because you have so many access roads, and then you get security issues and people breaking down barriers. You also have to think about displacement. If you stop people from parking in one area, where do they go? The incentive then is to try to get people onto public transport.”

Promoting public transport

Public transport hasn’t always had the best reputation, but attitudes are changing. When US singer-songwriter Billy Joel played his first ever gig in the Welsh capital he caught the train from London Paddington to Cardi – and he didn’t travel in First Class, he got on with all the concert-goers. “When we arrived at Cardi the fans got o the train

only to see the star of the show behind them,” said a GWR spokesperson.

Park-and-ride schemes are also useful on event days, but you need to encourage people to use them. “You’ve got to offer incentives,” says Peter. “You’ve got to start putting your EV chargers at your park-andride sites, rather than your destination sites. That’s how you start to manipulate people to use other modes of transport.”

Many modern stadiums are reducing the number of parking spaces they offer in a bid to change the way people think about travelling to major events. Everton FC’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on Liverpool’s waterfront will hold more than 52,000 people, but car parking

“Cardiff Council provides a number of supervised park and ride facilities and it also laid on extra trains, buses and coaches”

will only be available for those with accessibility issues and VIPs, along with dedicated parking for bicycles. Instead, following a survey in 2018 which suggested that 60% of fans wanted to use public transport, the club is planning to upgrade facilities at nearby Sandhills train station. The stadium’s close proximity to the city also means more fans will have the opportunity to walk to the site, while looping matchday shuttle bus services will run between the stadium and the main stations in town, for those who cannot make the journey on foot.

Making a flexible plan

For venues with regular peaks in parking

Cardiff Council has used measures including extra public transport services and a vehicle exclusion zone to cope with event crowds at the Principality Stadium

Temporary traffic regulation orders for special events

The Road Traffic Regulation (Special Events) Act 1994 inserted sections 16A to C into the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (RTRA) and gave local traffic authorities the power to make orders to impose temporary restrictions on the highway for sporting events, social events or entertainment (collectively known as special events).

A traffic authority can impose temporary highway restrictions for a special event once, and for up to three days, in any calendar year (1 January to 31 December). Restrictions for special events beyond this that affect the same length of road require approval from the Secretary of State for Transport.

For more information, visit: gov.uk/government/ publications/section-16temporary-traffic-regulationorders-for-special-events/ temporary-traffic-regulationorders-for-special-events

use – such as retail areas in the runup to Christmas – creating a plan to manage flow around the site’s car parks pays dividends. Matt Towers is car park operations manager for Westfield, which runs two of the UK’s biggest retail centres in Shepherd’s Bush and Stratford, London. In the run-up to Christmas and Eid, the centres experience peaks in demand that are dealt with using thorough planning, and in collaboration with Ethos Farm, the centres’ parking operator.

Westfield has a carefully thought out traffic management plan, which is adjusted in response to real-time movement. “The local authorities and TfL helped us get our plan off the ground in our earlier years,” says Matt. “Now we’ve got it, and we know it works, we can make minor tweaks to it.”

The team at Westfield use customer feedback to inform changes to their plan every year. “One of the big pieces we had last year was telling people when we’re expecting our exits to be busy, so they might say ‘I don’t want to leave at the moment, I’ll get myself some dinner’ –or they might leave earlier. Having that information so they can make an active decision saw really positive feedback.”

It’s not just customer feedback that helps, either. Matt says that the staff working at the car parks are crucial to the centres’ success. “I’m a big believer in your people on the ground,” he says. “It’s really important to listen to them and we adapt to make a lot of dynamic assessments.”

The team have the experience and knowledge to spot increased flow before it becomes a problem and redirect traffic accordingly. “Customers don’t know the benefit – they’re just driving where they’re told – but they’re finding a space and they’re finding it quickly.”

Communication is key

For any peak in demand, whether caused by an annual surge or one-off event, helping motorists to prepare helps to give them a positive experience. Visitors are often unfamiliar with the area, so ensuring they know exactly what to expect ahead of time is crucial. For concerts and sports events, this starts at the booking stage.

“Give the customer everything they need before they go,” says Peter. “How to get there and the best time to get there –or tell them not to get there after a certain time. You might say, ‘If you’re coming in your car, don’t arrive after 4pm for a 7pm event, because we’re shutting the roads’.

Signage is crucial; it needs to be comprehensive and clear. Parking should feature on maps and satnav systems and there must be adequate signs on approach roads and street signs. The central aim must be to indicate to the tourist which car parks are meant for them and, of course, where the attraction is.

“Make it as clear as you can,” advises

Peter. “Tell people where Gate D or Entrance A is. And then when you get there, you need enough people to say, ‘Inside the car park, you need to go that way, that takes you to Gate D.’ Signage has to be well lit, and there should be lots of security staff around when people are going back to their cars.”

Working with other stakeholders

Event parking also offers an opportunity for local businesses to make some extra income by offering land for temporary parking. “Concert tickets go on sale months in advance,” says Peter. “So if you’ve got any business acumen and you’re a landowner nearby, you should be saying to the local authority, ‘I can put 400 cars on my land, are you okay with that?’

Manchester’s new Co-op Live Arena is well served by a tram system which runs from the city centre, but the owners of the music, sports and entertainment venue have also struck a deal with Bristol Street Motors, which owns land adjacent to the site, to offer off-street parking on event days, bookable in advance.

“That’s an example of partnership working,” says Peter. “It’s £25 to park your car for the event, but that’s not a lot of money split between four people. Event organisers should talk to adjacent landowners, and whether that needs licensing or not is then between the landowner and the local authority.”

Conclusion

So, it seems the key to managing event parking is to assess demand, ensure clear communication and then deliver what you have promised.

“If the customer has got all the details, and those details are correct, you’ve got a satisfied customer as far as parking is concerned,” says Peter. “Whether the event is rubbish or not, is out of your hands!”

Green light for AM-GO

The BPA has launched a groundbreaking certification scheme for Meet and Greet parking operators

You wouldn’t choose your holiday accommodation without doing some basic research and checking reviews, so why should travellers take a risk when booking their airport parking?

The BPA Approved Meet and Greet Parking Operator Scheme® (AM-GO) – the UK’s only police supported, on-theground assessment certifying operators on their safety and customer service standards – is designed to put travellers’ minds at ease and eliminate the risk of them falling victim to rogue and unscrupulous operators.

The BPA is working with its members, major airports, and key stakeholders – including the police – to deliver the scheme, which will become the recognised national standard for Meet and Greet parking operators, based both on and off airports.

Propelled by the rise in low-cost carriers, air passenger numbers have risen steadily over the past decade or

so, growing from 213 million in 2011 to a record 300 million in 2019. The latest figures from the Civil Aviation Authority (Q2, 2024) show that passenger numbers are up 7% on the same period in 2023, at 78.9 million, suggesting that by the end of the year, numbers could match or even exceed pre-pandemic levels.

Much of this demand is fuelled by leisure travel, as business travel has struggled to recover as quickly amid record price rises for premium flights and growing pressure on big companies to cut their carbon emissions. Roughly 25% of air travellers drive to the airport and a quarter of those already use a parking Meet and Greet provider.

Highlighting trusted operators

AM-GO encompasses every Meet and Greet service (sometimes called Valet Parking, Park and Ride or Park and Stroll service) where motorists hand over their vehicle keys. There are many excellent companies throughout the UK that deliver a quality service – storing customers’ vehicles in secure locations close to the airport and

WORDS | ANDREA BALL

The BPA is working with its members, major airports, and key stakeholders –including the police – to deliver the scheme

ensuring that they are delivered back at the agreed time and in the same condition as when they were collected. AM-GO will make it easier for travellers to identify who those operators are.

The scheme will include regular audits of consolidators, booking agents, Meet and Greet operators, and airports against the AM-GO code of practice.

The BPA’s team of area managers will conduct in-person site assessments of all Meet and Greet services managed by airports and operators, including every single facility where vehicles are parked and stored for the duration of a customer’s booking – all of which must achieve the Park Mark® standard.

The BPA started on-boarding airports and operators in September 2024 and the process is ongoing with the first airports and operators anticipated to be on-boarded on the scheme just in time for the busy Christmas holiday season, and the remainder in time for the main national launch in the Spring of 2025.

When AM-GO goes live, travellers will be able to find approved Meet and Greet parking operators on the Park Mark Car Park Finder or on the BPA’s website.

Heathrow Airport was one of the first operators to sign up for the scheme.

Tom Prowse, head of surface access –commercial, said: “From the moment passengers arrive at Heathrow, we aim to make every journey better. While we recommend passengers use official on-airport parking, we also want to ensure they have the information and confidence to make informed decisions about the services they might wish to use around the airport. This is why we support the BPA’s national scheme to crack down on rogue meet and greet operators across the UK. Working alongside major airports and key stakeholders to deliver this scheme, it will improve experience by introducing measures aimed at tightening up the parking operator industry.”

Putting customers first

Sara Fisher, BPA head of operations and business development, said: “From the moment you book a Meet and Greet service, whether directly or through a consolidator, to your arrival at the airport to hand over your keys, AM-GO members have committed to providing excellent customer service.

“It is hoped that this new standard in airport Meet and Greet parking can help to make rogue and unscrupulous operators a thing of the past.”

Join AM-GO

Meet and Greet Parking Operator Scheme standards

The new AM-GO scheme ensures that:

• airports and external operators have designated, clearly marked and signposted Meet and Greet drop-off and pick-up zones

• Meet and Greet staff, including drivers, will be qualified, professional and fully insured, and will carry ID cards and wear uniforms at all times

• vehicles will be safely stored in a Park Mark® accredited facility and cars won’t be driven any further than stated on the booking confirmation

• airports and AM-GO members will be regularly assessed and monitored by BPA qualified auditors to uphold the highest standards and exemplary customer service

• motorists will be signposted to a single, reliable data source for AM-GO members and can be confident of leaving their vehicle with an Approved Meet and Greet Operator.

If you are a Meet and Greet operator and want to be recognised nationally for your customer service and safety practices, scan the QR code (right) to sign up for the AM-GO scheme.

Howunderstandingand developingsoftskillscanhelpyou toforgestrong partnershipsanddealwithpotentialconflict

Building relationships

Forging mutually beneficial partnerships is key to ensuring your site runs smoothly. Whether you’re working with landowners, suppliers, local enforcement bodies, recruitment organisations or special interest bodies, the ability to grow your network and take on input from sometimes conflicting groups can help to create the best customer experience.

So how can you develop the ‘soft skills’ needed to reach out, build relationships and manage conflict?

Businesses often recruit people for their ‘hard skills’ – the technical abilities that enable them to do their jobs – and offer ongoing training so that those skills remain up to date and relevant. Whereas soft skills – the techniques you need for sales and negotiation, communication and people management – can sometimes be viewed as a bit ‘fluffy’.

“There are people who do not see the value in developing soft skills,” says Simon Hares, a Bath-based training consultant and founder of SerialTrainer7. “And yet in 2024, when many businesses are striving for B Corp certification, and want to ensure their culture is fully inclusive, it is the soft skills that often contribute the most.”

Simon, who has delivered training in many different sectors, for a range of clients including Sony PlayStation Studios and Fitness First, believes focusing on the development of soft skills can help you to forge harmonious relationships that are both trusted and long-lasting.

“Businesses are built on three things,” he explains. “People, products and processes. The most important of those is people. People have different personalities, they can be introverted or extroverted, and soft skills help to bridge those differences.”

Example of a conversation applying the WRID principle (see right): COMPLAINANT: “You totally disregarded my point of view and made me feel stupid in the meeting today.”

RESPONSE (RESTATE IT): “Okay, just so I understand, in the team meeting you believe I disregarded your point of view and made you feel stupid, is that right?”

RESPONSE (ISOLATE IT): “I’m sorry. Just so I’m clear, is there anything else that you have a problem with that I need to know about?”

RESPONSE (DEAL WITH IT):

“I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention to make you feel stupid and you are right, I should have listened and taken your comments into account. Time was running away and I was keen to move things forward as I felt we had discussed this enough in the group. It won’t happen again.”

Nip conflict in the bud

Emotional intelligence

Soft skills development usually starts with confidence building and assertiveness training. “People tend to lose their confidence when faced with situations that involve people they don’t know very well or don’t get on with,” Simon explains. “In this instance, many assertiveness courses will look at the concept of emotional intelligence.”

Often described as the key to both interpersonal and professional success, emotional intelligence is made up of five key components, which professional training courses can help to develop:

1. Social skills – the ability to meet and greet new people and hold a conversation.

2. Motivation – the ability to recognise what drives you and those around you.

3. Empathy – the ability to relate to another person based on a shared experience (not to be confused with sympathy, which is feeling sorry for someone).

4. Self-awareness –understanding how you look, talk and come across to others.

5. Self-regulation – being able to change and adapt your behaviour depending on the situation.

Developing emotional intelligence is an ongoing process and differs from person to person, but the first step is being aware of these components and understanding how they affect your interactions.

Avoiding conflict

Conflict is a management term and one we rarely use in conversation, but it refers to any type of disagreement, falling out or argument. Conflict happens for many reasons: handled properly it can build levels

of understanding and help to manage expectations; handled poorly it can result in a complete breakdown of communication. It’s crucial to be able to identify the potential for conflict, and address any issues before a situation escalates. Simon suggests asking yourself some simple questions when conflict has arisen:

1. What did I say that could have been misconstrued?

2. What did I not listen to or pick up on?

3. What do I need to do to make this right?

“Notice these questions are focused on what you could do to resolve the situation, rather than apportioning blame,” says Simon. “Once you understand the situation a little better, it’s possible to start addressing it.”

One particular technique for managing these types of situations is called WRID: four simple steps to help you identify an issue before it has the chance to escalate:

1. Welcome it – if you have a disagreement or a falling out, accept it, go with the flow, and don’t let it become personal.

2. Restate it – show the other person that you have listened to what they said, making sure you use the same words as they did.

3. Isolate it – ensure that this issue is the only problem.

4. Deal with it – When you have identified the issue and asked the right questions, you can address it.

Build your skills

Learn with the BPA

The BPA has achieved City & Guilds Assured Status to deliver learning programmes in conjunction with selected Learning Delivery Partners on parking enforcement and notice processing. These programmes provide key learning opportunities and support the wide range of careers within parking management. Find out more at britishparking.co.uk/ City-and-Guilds

“Using a simple process of communication such as WRID can take the fire out of a situation and create a sense of calm,” says Simon. “There are, of course, other techniques that you can use, however WRID seems to work for many people.”

Understanding and developing your emotional intelligence and managing situations calmly can be hugely beneficial – and not just at work.

“Soft skills can make such a difference when it comes to building great relationships, with clients, landowners or local partners and preventing situations from getting out of control,” concludes Simon. “And let’s not forget family and friends – the skills are all transferable, too.”

Simon Hares is the founder of SerialTrainer7, which specialises in offering training in management and leadership, sales and business development, and behavioural improvement. For more information, visit: serialtrainer7.com.

BPA Advance aims to support your continuing professional development (CPD).

Unrivalled in the parking sector, it includes access to a mentoring scheme, advice and guidance on career progression, webinars and ezines, and access to a Wellbeing Hub, as well as opportunities to attend networking events with fellow parking professionals at discounted rates. For more information, visit: britishparking.co.uk/BPA-Advance britishparking.co.uk/Schemes

Tackling debt collection

Local authorities lose thousands of pounds every year to unpaid debt from Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs). Here, three seasoned operators share new approaches to deal with the problem

THE PANEL

Ken Prior, head of parking, Liverpool City Council

Ken has a background in private sector parking, and has managed parking in Chester West

Anthony Jones, debt recovery manager & parking operations supervisor, Enfield Council

Anthony has 20 years’ experience in di erent areas of parking enforcement as well as electoral services and retail

Rob Shoebridge, Derby City Council

Rob is formerly a top tier football referee and now trains match o icials alongside his role at Derby City Council

Although most penalty charge notices are resolved without problems, unpaid debt from PCNs costs local authorities precious time and money. Often, local councils struggle to recover this debt and feel stuck in a loop of debt collection letters, untraceable vehicle owners and written off cases. Parking News spoke to three local authority parking leads to discuss the challenges in this area, and how simple changes can add up to big improvements both in financial outcome and customer relations.

Debt collection is not an isolated problem

Ken Prior: I think that a lot of our problems in the industry stem from the fact that we don’t have robust things in place to monitor who actually is the registered keeper of a vehicle and that creates headaches from the outset. And the fact that the government agencies – DVLA, MIB and the MOT systems – do not link up with each other. That allows people to get away with an awful lot and means that in the process from birth to death of a PCN, it can be hard and costly to get to that person and relieve them of a few coins.

The control of vehicles on the highway is shocking from the outset because people can register with the DVLA as Mickey Mouse, or at the wrong address,

with no checks, or a minor has been registered as the owner of a car.

Anthony Jones: We’ve had that – a 17-year-old registered as the owner of the vehicle. Fortunately they turned 18 the day before the PCN was issued, so technically we were able to enforce it.

Another issue I’ve noticed is foreign registered vehicles. I think currently if the vehicle leaves the country within a six-month period they don’t need to be registered in the UK. Unless they register them, we can’t issue CCTV-based notices of driving contraventions.

KP: This is where National Persistent Evader Database [NPED] comes in. That will help us maintain the vehicles on the highway better. [See page 24]

Rob Shoebridge: For those who are not registering vehicles because it’s not in their interests to, they’re the kind of people that NPED can help local authorities pull the data together on and say this car’s committing contraventions in Devon, Durham, Derby and Doncaster, and that central database can detect the patterns of that vehicle and maybe assist the police with more than just parking.

In Derby we don’t just rely on the vehicle data from DVLA, so if we’ve got a vehicle that’s not registered, and it’s got parking infringements, we put a flag on our civil enforcement o icers’ handheld computers. If they log that vehicle in, it will flash up saying driver details needed, and the o icer at the roadside will alert our revenue protection o icers. They will

then pop along and either wait with a vehicle for the driver to return, or stick a different envelope on the screen. Instead of being a yellow one for a PCN, they stick a green one on that’s called Here to Help. And in there we put a leaflet saying that this vehicle has committed a number of parking or traffic contraventions, we need to speak to the owner/driver of the vehicle before we take more formal action. We put the mobile telephone number of the revenue protection officer on there, and that yields quite a positive response from drivers.

We’ve been doing that for about two years now. It has a positive impact on those vehicles that we can’t get the data back from DVLA.

Beyond the ‘sausage factory’

KP: The process that needs to be taking place in councils, depending on that person’s want for knowledge, is understanding what the art of the

possible is. Sometimes they do the ‘sausage factory’ process of taking it right the way through – ‘I’ve given it to my collection agent for the last 12 months, they’ve not been able to find them therefore I’ll cancel the warrant’.

There are so many things that you can do, after that time, that councils don’t realise. I was talking to someone recently and trying to help them out. They’ve got one collection agent doing their work for them. So they’ve given the case to the agency, left it with them for 12 months, then it gets handed back. Once it’s handed back, they write it off and cancel the warrant.

But that debt is live for six years in total, so they can re-work it. The first phase is you shouldn’t only have one collection agency, you should have two, minimum. You give one agency the warrant for six months then ask for it back if they’ve done nothing with it, and hand it to the other agent. You’re getting double the

BPA VIEW

“Debt collection plays a vital role to ensure that PCNs are recovered fairly. It is a professional sector that takes social responsibility very seriously to ensure that its actions are carried out conscientiously. We will continue to work with the sector to help ensure this message is heard as widely as possible.”

Andrew Pester, BPA chief executive

work done against the case. If you get to the end of that, you’ve still got the debt. They can’t knock on the door, but they can still chase the person via SMS, letter, and other means, in order to get the money back. People are so surprised when I tell them this, and how much money they can get that they think is dead.

AJ: What I notice is when people get into parking they tend to stay for a while, so unless you get some new blood that might do things differently, to bring in fresh ideas, and participate in these

groups, exchanging ideas where some local authorities might have been using a process for ages but in another authority it’s just never occurred to them. Again, unless you’ve got very minimal numbers of PCNs going to debt registration and beyond, you really need two or three collection agencies. Just because one enforcer’s details hasn’t located a debtor, after six months a different agent might have some different knowledge, so they might have joy in making contact.

RS: We have three enforcement agents acting on behalf of Derby City Council and if the company who takes the case in the first instance doesn’t collect within the first three months, they’re expected to return it to the council then we’ll recycle that case. And each agency has got a slightly different approach towards debt recovery so one company might send a letter out and then send an enforcement agent, another might use AI to find the date of birth of the debtor, and if they are below 30 they might say we know people below 30 won’t respond to a letter but they will respond to a WhatsApp message. So they’re targeting their approach depending on the demographic.

What we’ve done in Derby is create some intervention points throughout the [standard] process. Before we register any case at the traffic enforcement centre to allow us to get a warrant, we run that debtor through Experian to try and find a contact number, email address, or to find out if they’ve moved address, and our team will then actively try and make contact with that person to say, ‘Hello Mrs Jones, it’s Rob from Derby City Council because you’ve got an outstanding PCN registered against your car and we’re very close to instructing the enforcement agents’, and they might say, ‘thanks ever so much, I forgot about that, can I sort it out now?’ We do everything we can in the background to think differently.

A change of mindset

AJ: Mindset is one thing, but you have to remember the factors that have produced that mindset. It’s great having ideas, but if you’re juggling everything by yourself and working an hour extra each day, it is very hard to put aside an hour or two to do some data reviewing and analysis.

You need a significant period of time and you do need to have a non-stressed mind when you’re doing it, so that you can be open to what you’re seeing, and you might notice things that you haven’t noticed before. For example, looking for patterns, especially with repeat offenders. One person might look at it and say, this person’s got a lot of tickets, another person might look at it and go this person gets all these tickets at the same location about the same time, there are warrants with the enforcement agent for this VRM, let’s share the intelligence of the VRM parking/driving contravention patterns with the enforcement agent, and see if they achieve any success locating VRM with their ANPR units.

But it’s just finding the time to implement things like that. With councils trying to bring in more money and spend less, it is unlikely you’ll find authorities who will say they have time to do this. You need someone to give you the motivation to do it to help you shift into a different mindset.

RS: Historically, parking would be one big team and everybody would do a bit of everything and you didn’t have too much ownership on particular areas of work. Everyone was a bit like a general practitioner – knew a little bit about everything. [When I joined Derby Council] I thought it’s working, it’s functional but how much better could we be if we had some consultants complementing the general practitioners? So I created these small teams, for example the debt recovery team, with a debt recovery manager. That team assumes

“We look at income on a monthly basis and since we introduced our new smaller teams, our penalty charge income is times 2.5 in the space of four years”

responsibility for that work area instead of it being 10 per cent of somebody’s job. I don’t come up with all the ideas, I empower them to come up with the ideas, because if they’re the team’s own ideas they’re more likely to make them happen instead of it being ‘one of Rob’s silly ideas’!

Monitoring results is crucial

KP: A council should know how much any PCN issued is worth to them. So I know in Liverpool a PCN right now is worth £35 to me. Another area people

don’t look at is the collection rate on all the PCNs you issue. In Cheshire West I was always at 79.5 per cent and never cracked 80. In Liverpool we’re just over 80 per cent. Most councils only collect about 60 to 65 per cent of their PCNs. So if they did a bit more in the background and changed the way they worked, which could be quite simple, it would give them more return.

AJ: Enfield has an average collection in the 70s, we’ve never broken 80 per cent – that’s the dream. If you did nothing, just let the tickets go out and respond to the appeals, you’re looking at about a 65 per cent collection rate. You can easily squeeze another five to 10 per cent just by reviewing what you’re doing, reviewing patterns, knowing which areas are problematic, which VRMs are the persistent evaders. It’s all going back to looking at the data, analysing it and gleaning nuggets which would be useful.

RS: We look at income on a monthly basis and since we introduced our new smaller teams, our penalty charge income is times 2.5 in the space of four years. That is fantastic for the council in respect of recovering monies owed.

Finding the marginal gains

RS: In another life I used to be a football referee at a high level. I bring a lot of transferable skills from elite sport into the workplace. In football those skills are about dealing with athletes who are very high performing, so it’s how can we look at some very small gains to make you even better. When I took on this role in the council a few years ago, huge gains were available. Because we’re now maximising our PCN income, they are turning into marginal gains.

I regularly challenge my team to find that one per cent. Because of the level of debt that we have in parking, if we can increase recovery rates by one per cent, that’s significantly helpful to a council which is cash strapped.

“If we’ve got a vehicle that’s not registered, and it’s got parking infringements, we put a flag on our civil enforcement officers’ handheld computers”

KP: There are lots of little bits you can do along the way of that ‘sausage factory’ process. Things like using NPED for instance – if that vehicle is registered to Mickey Mouse, I’m not going to check with DVLA every time. Instead, we’ll take one every sixth or tenth time to DVLA see whether it’s changed – so if it cost £1 every time we went to DVLA, we’re spending that less often. And then you think about if you stay with Royal Mail, sending first class letters out, that’s £1.42 per letter, and there are probably a minimum of six letters that take you through to warrant stage… If you change the process, you change what you spend and take 60-65 per cent up to 70 or 80 per cent.

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

The National Persistent Evader Database (NPED) is the nation’s only centralised system designed to track and manage vehicles which are persistently linked with unpaid parking charges.

NPED was set up by former enforcement officer Alan Wood. “I saw a growing number of vehicles with unpaid warrants. It dawned on me that this was a behavioural flag about the mindset of the motorist.”

Ultimately NPED will link parking data with other lists (for example, vehicles with registration problems, number plate cloning and insurance data) to crack down on regular offenders. For parking operators, the benefits of becoming involved are almost immediate. “Implementing NPED within your operation will help you to save on processing costs, inform future enforcement interventions and improve overall public service efficiency,” says Alan. To find out more, visit nped.co.uk.

NPED: Joining the dots

Spread the good news

It’s time to challenge the British media to run positive news about the parking sector, says

BPA Lawline’s Derek Millard-Smith

Newspaper editor: “It’s a slow news week, so let’s run a negative parking story!”

The parking management sector is used to misleading articles in the press and online telling otherwise compliant motorists that parking charges are ‘unenforceable’ and that if you get a PCN, you shouldn’t engage with the ‘rogues’ who issued it.

Such language and articles are usually accompanied by a photograph of a very solemn looking car owner holding a PCN and setting out circumstances personal to them (and therefore unknown to the parking operator) that led to the ticket being issued ‘unfairly’. Typically the motorist has breached the terms and conditions of parking at the location and has not engaged at all with the parking operator. This has resulted in the outstanding parking charge increasing twice, firstly a er 14 days to the maximum parking charge at that location and then by another £70 or so, accompanied by ‘threatening’ letters (letters setting out the consequences for non-payment) from debt resolution companies. The article narrative usually contains words and phrases such as

‘exploitation’, ‘extortion’ and ‘moneymaking scams’ and links these to parking companies.

Whilst poor and unfair practices by those within the parking sector should of course be called out and dealt with by ATA and DVLA sanctions where appropriate, typical news stories continue to cry foul whilst going on to detail how the motorists broke the rules. Few of the articles entertain the need for the motorist to engage if they have mitigation or feel their parking charge has been issued unfairly – despite the fact that doing so in the majority of cases would result in a better outcome for that motorist, in line with the previous BPA code and the current private parking sector single Code of Practice.

Reducing trust

The net e ect of such imbalanced reporting is public mistrust and lack of engagement by otherwise compliant motorists and a build-up of negative and incorrect online information that, in turn, filters through to law makers and can be said to have contributed historically to the previous Government’s mistrust of the sector. (Indeed, our own transport minister

The article narrative usually contains words and phrases such as ‘exploitation’, ‘extortion’ and ‘money-making scams’

Derek Millard-Smith BPA Lawline Partner, JMW Solicitors LLP bpa@jmw.co.uk

was rebuked by the Prime Minister recently for using the term ‘rogue’ to describe a well known ferry company –such terminology can only have come via the media and can have a massive detrimental impact.)

Such built up and mostly unjustified mistrust in the parking sector in turn was likely the foundation upon which government sought and is seeking to intervene in the sector, and gave rise to proposed secondary legislation to the Parking Code of Practice Act 2019 in the form of a dra code detailing that parking charge levels should be reduced and debt resolution fees banned altogether.

The cost of removing deterrents

These were quite bizarre and damaging proposals given equivalent deterrents in other areas of transport (for example, a fine of £100 for dodging rail fares) and equivalent debt recovery stages in, for example, the utilities sector. The 2022 government proposals would have reduced the deterrent and consequences for the very behaviours that landowners need to deter, making it cheaper to break the rules and then remove an essential further deterrent

to resolve the debt and encourage payment of the appropriately issued parking charge before potentially disproportionate escalation to court. The net effect would have been to completely disable the ability to effectively manage and enforce parking. This is either an unintended consequence or a deliberate attempt to prevent the sector from doing what it is employed to do by landowners struggling to manage their land, combat increasingly antisocial behaviours, and keep parking areas available for those using them as intended.

Whilst it is unlikely that newspapers will ever be ‘on side’, the sector has much to be proud of

The stark realities of a similarly politically driven, imbalanced approach became clear to the Northern Ireland Assembly in recent months, following proposed legislation to make parking at hospitals free in Northern Ireland. This had to be withheld following a realisation that doing so would impact the very patients and visitors it was designed to help – through the removal of the deterrent, and the likely reaction of selfish motorists who would have been given the green light by the proposals to abuse the parking there.

Raising standards

Recently, the parking sector has been working hard to continue to raise standards and the sterling combined efforts of both trade associations resulted in the publication of the

sector single Code of Practice in June. The sector single Code adopts all of the workable proposed standardsraising clauses of the Government’s withdrawn 2022 code but also developed the appeals charter to set out PCN cancellation and reduction requirements for typical driver (genuine) errors, few if any of which would be allowed in an appeal against an equivalent local authority-issued Penalty Charge Notice.

In short, the requirements as set out in the Private Parking Code of Practice Act 2019 have been exceeded in the sector single Code. The sector single Code came into force on 1 October 2024 with all requirements to be met by new sites, and a grandfathering period for existing sites to enable a transition period for existing signage etc.

In developing the sector single Code, it can be said that the requirements of the Parking Code of Practice Act 2019 have been met. Section 1 of the Act that came into force shortly before the general election requires a code that includes guidance that promotes good practice in the operation and management of private parking facilities, and guidance about appeals against parking charges imposed by, or on behalf of, persons providing private parking facilities. Both trade associations having met these requirements are now together

continuing to engage with government on the further development and evolution of this code for the further benefit of all stakeholders.

The joint single sector Code has been well received in most quarters (excepting of course the typical car membership organisations nay-sayers who continue to peddle untruths) and we must work together to encourage similar positive media reporting and build motorist trust where possible.

The sector must also react to draft articles or requests for comment to call out so called ‘experts’ promoting misleading information such as within recent articles relating to airport dropoff zones and their relationship with the Airports Act 1986 which will be the topic of our article in a future edition of Parking News

Whilst it is unlikely that newspapers will ever be ‘on side’, the sector has much to be proud of and continuing to work together and promote the positive work within the BPA and wider sector may eventually give editors something else to think about on a slow news day!

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.

Language used in news reporting erodes trust in parking operators

Flowbird UK: A Year in Focus – Thomas Harrington (General Manager UK & Ireland)

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what has been an exceptional year for Flowbird across the UK

In the realm of parking, we have continued our impressive growth trajectory, not only winning new clients like Cheshire East but also retaining long-term partners such as North Herts. Our commitment to our clients has resulted in an outstanding retention rate exceeding 95%.

In the latter half of the year, Brighton and Hove Council reintroduced pay machines in select zones throughout the city, and we are thrilled to be part of this trial, utilising our Strada S5 terminals. The Strada S5 has gained immense popularity nationwide, and it’s easy to see why:

1. Sustainability: With 99% recyclability and low power consumption, it o ers a paperless option.

2. Versatile payment options: The terminal accepts all payment types, including coins, contactless cards, chip & pin, mobile payments, and City Cards.

3. Multi-functional use: More than just a parking kiosk, it can facilitate the purchase of tourist attraction tickets and even Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).

4. Emissions-based pricing: The S5 allows us to roll out dynamic pricing based on engine size and type – already in operation for Diesel Vehicles in the London Borough of Haringey and we are in discussions with other local authority clients for a variety of tari capabilities.

5. Future-proof connectivity: Each unit comes equipped with 4G connectivity, ensuring reliable data transfer even as 3G networks are phased out.

On the team front, we welcomed several new members to our Senior Management Team. I have stepped in as General Manager for the UK & Ireland, while Mark Mitchell has transitioned to Service Operations Director for the same regions. Our Account Management team has also been strengthened by the addition of parking veterans Damian Devanney and Joseph McManus.

The focus of our Parking Business Unit remains on providing flexible, scalable solutions for our clients in both private and public sectors, enhanced through the implementation of new and improved operating systems.

Meanwhile, our colleagues in the Transport Division achieved remarkable milestones in 2024, notably continuing our longstanding partnership with Translink, the coach, bus, and rail operator in Northern Ireland. We

installed touch-screen self-service ticket machines at the newly opened Belfast Grand Central Station, the largest public transport infrastructure project on the island of Ireland. This multimodal facility is expected to serve as a hub for transport services in Northern Ireland, facilitating over 20 million passenger journeys annually.

Additionally, Flowbird will supply new-generation handheld ticketing and inspection devices for the Glider bus rapid transit and rail networks. All technology seamlessly integrates with the Flowbird CloudFare backo ice system, central to network management, remote asset monitoring, ticketing functions, and delivering comprehensive business insights for Translink operations.

All of this underlines what an extraordinary year it has been for Flowbird teams across the UK, and I haven’t even mentioned our intended acquisition by EasyPark.

Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be even bigger, with various agreements already in place and in the planning stages across the country. Stay tuned for more updates in upcoming editions of Parking News!

Another level

A new six-level, 1,306-space car park in Blackpool has been awarded Best New Car Park at the British Parking Awards 2024. Parking News spoke to Stripe Consulting’s Russell Simmons to find out what makes the project stand out

Since the railway came to Blackpool in the 1840s, accelerating its rise as an iconic British holiday destination, transport for the town’s thousands of visitors every year has been key to the enjoyment of tourists and residents alike. On the site of Blackpool Central railway station, closed in 1964, a surface car park has served the town centre for decades, but an ambitious £300m plan to redevelop the area meant that a new solution was needed to improve access and traffic flow.

The resulting multi-storey car park, commissioned by Blackpool Council through the developer Nikal, designed by Stripe Consulting and built by Ballast Nedam Construction, was awarded Best New Car Park at the British Parking Awards in September.

Russell Simmons, founder and shareholder of Stripe Consulting, appreciates the site’s heritage. “At one point it was the world’s busiest railway station,” he says. “So transport and being a gateway into Blackpool has always been part of this particular site, which is quite cool. It was ‘just’ a surface car park and now it’s almost an interchange.”

The council’s long-term plan for the area is to develop leisure, retail and food and drink facilities, all linking in to the town’s wider attractions, and the multi-storey car park is part of the enabling phase. As well as size, the brief was for the car park to be user friendly, low maintenance, safe

and secure. Given its location, it also needed to be fit to handle surges in demand. “It needed to be able to deal with large events taking place,” says Russell, “which is why we went for the ramp configuration of two external D-ramps, so you can get in and out of the car park quickly, and multiple exit points so it’s well connected to the road network.”

Working together, apart

Perhaps the biggest challenge faced by the design and build team was one familiar to organisations around the world: the COVID-19 pandemic. “Stripe is a really close team,” says Russell. “You’ve got architects, structural engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers all sharing the same space and working together collectively. It’s what people preach about all the time but at Stripe it’s a reality.”

That reality was upturned by having to move to a remote working model – as well as the strangeness of never meeting the client team face-to-face, the work was physically different. Instead of being able to look through drawings together, discussing and agreeing details, the wider team of around 20 individuals had to find new ways of working. “Now it doesn’t seem such a big deal but at the time it was a radical way of working and it wasn’t as efficient or intuitive,” says Russell.

The team overcame this using technology – such as team working

tool Slack – and sharing the 3D model so that multiple stakeholders could work on it. “It felt very difficult, which is why it’s such an amazing achievement to get a building that’s designed so well, and the collaboration was so good, because everyone worked hard.”

Safe and secure

The car park was built using a modular design, so that it could be constructed as efficiently as possible, and sections can be removed easily if required in future. Security was a key factor in the design, says Russell. “When you pay money to store your vehicle, which is a valuable possession, you want to know that it’s safe.” This meant using security fencing throughout the building, which had to offer aesthetic appeal – fitting in with the wider design for Blackpool Central – as well as durability to withstand the coastal climate and make it as low maintenance as possible.

“We designed out as much maintenance as we could,” says Russell. “It also has a life-care plan,

which is BPA best practice and Institution of Civil Engineers best practice, so that the council know what they’ve got to do for the next few years to look a er it, and we’re not missing any steps that would cause a problem later on.”

User experience has been thoughtfully approached, too. Internally, the car park has been designed to be open and bright, with none of the vision-blocking columns associated with older multi-storey designs. Safety of pedestrians is prioritised without compromising light and views. “The edge protection is well above the minimum standards required. We were very mindful that we didn’t want this to become a target for people who might want to harm

themselves, so there’s a lot of physical intervention, especially on the top floor because it’s a high building and in a landmark situation. So, when you stand on the top deck you feel safe and secure, because you’ve got these high walls which you can still see out of, so you don’t feel like you’re in a prison – you just feel protected.”

Winning feeling

The car park is now up and running, ready to facilitate the ongoing redevelopment of Blackpool Central as well as making the town centre and seafront easier for both motorists and cyclists to access. Having successfully delivered the project on time and on budget, the icing on the cake for the Stripe Consulting and Ballast Nedam team was winning at the British Parking Awards.

“OK, it’s our job and our client pays us for it, but the people at Stripe care an awful lot about doing a good job,” says Russell, “so it’s great when your peers acknowledge that. Mainly, it’s good because the people who put in all the hard work get some legit credit.”

QUICK FACTS

The site: A new multistorey car park forming part of the £300m Blackpool Central redevelopment Total spaces*: 1,306

EV spaces: 25 Disabled spaces: 42 Disabled EV spaces: 2

Parent and child spaces: 55

Motorcycle spaces: 50

Bicycle spaces: 25

Construction budget: £28m

does not include bicycle and motorcycle spaces

eventsBPA

INCLUDING A PREVIEW OF WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2025

Parking Scotland Expo

IN SEPTEMBER the BPA kicked off the autumn round of in-person events with a Country Group meeting for Scottish members in the delightful city of Perth.

Stewart Skene, parking and civil contingencies team leader at Perth and Kinross Council, was in the chair for the first time and welcomed BPA President Richard Walker and sponsor Flowbird to open proceedings.

The first panel session explored current Parking Policy matters in Scotland, including discussions on pavement parking enforcement, Low Emission Zones, Digitising Traffic Regulation Orders, Moving Traffic Enforcement and Blue Badge abuse. Panellists including Peter Lowe, Tom Gallagher, Dundee Council’s John Berry, and John Telfer from Glasgow City Council discussed the need for joined-up working and sharing knowledge.

Next up we had an update on the BPA’s City and Guilds Assured programme by Ali Tooze, the BPA’s chief engagement officer, followed

by an animated talk on fire safety standards and managing risk, by BPA Board member Roy Tunstall. The car park theme continued with an exploration of considerations for what to do with ageing multi-storeys and the standards achieved by safer and more accessible car parks from William Clark, BPA area manager.

After lunch, BPA head of external affairs Isaac Occhipinti led a session on communications and external engagement, looking at how the media continue to portray parking in a negative fashion, but how interestingly there had been very little reporting on the raising of PCNs to £100, or the introduction of pavement parking enforcement. The day concluded with a Parking Tech Thought Pod where BPA Council member Richard Boultbee and Sally Wheller from RingGo looked at the subject of how to tackle cyber-crime and protecting customers against fraud. Richard Walker wrapped up a thoroughly engaging day with closing remarks and hoped to see everyone next year.

BPA Live ’25!

BPA Live returns next year for a new series of dynamic inperson events that promise to be bigger and better than ever before with a mix of engaging content, thought leaders, quality networking and knowledge sharing. Join the events at:

• Leeds, Aspire – 5 February

• Brighton, Amex – 26 February

• Bristol, Ashton Gate – 19 March

• Peterborough, Holiday Inn West –18 June

Dave Smith, head of marketing and events, said: “We were absolutely delighted with the response to our BPA Live events this year and will be returning to the same venues in 2025 taking in all the feedback we received from members to create four must-attend events to kick start the new year.”

Registration will open soon and anyone wishing to support these events through sponsorship or as an exhibitor can visit britishparking.co.uk/BPA-Live or email communications@ britishparking.co.uk to express their interest.

The beautiful city of Perth hosted Scottish BPA members

Parking and Transport Wales Conference

AT THE BEAUTIFUL Guildhall in Swansea, members gathered in Brangwyn Hall for an engaging day of content led by chair Pete Lowe. Vice President Mike Marrs and Andrew MacKay, managing director of sponsor Andrew James Enforcement, welcomed everyone to the event, preceding a panelled open discussion on tackling persistent evaders, Moving Traffic Enforcement, 20mph zones and tackling the problem of Blue Badge misuse and abuse.

Next up, an insightful and divisive Technology Thought-Pod asked: how prepared are we for the AI revolution? Led by Jonathan Allan, BPA head of learning, innovation, and research, a broad range of opinions were shared and workshopped, from the strengths and opportunities of AI to the challenges it creates for the sector. Annie Cameron, BPA quality assurance manager in learning

“A

and development, introduced the BPA’s new City & Guilds Assured Status. This allows the BPA to deliver learning programmes in conjunction with its Learning Delivery Partners, on parking enforcement and notice processing, encouraging professional development and providing career development opportunities in the sector.

We then heard from Russell Simmons, chair of the BPA’s Parking Structures group and founder of Stripe Consulting, spoke on fire safety standards and managing fire risks in car parks. Russell has worked with the BPA on creating a Fire Risk Assessment Guide, which is regularly updated and can be found through the QR code (below, left). He also highlighted the challenges of EVs, advocating the need to assess and respond to the different risks they present in the interest of safety. He touched on the impact that different sizes of car parks have on fire safety and suggested a holistic approach in line with or going beyond current guidelines to achieve the best safety for a particular car park.

Russell Hamblin-Boone, chief executive at CIVEA, spoke about the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) and its purpose. He named a few examples of the board’s recent activities, such as working with independent analysts of video footage across the industry to identify instances of noncompliance. The board is also working to develop new standards across the space, creating a more streamlined complaints system, and working to allow enforcement teams to become accredited by the ECB.

Andrew Potter, director at Parking Perspectives, delved into the topic of Cash vs Cashless, discussing the pros and cons of each method. He explored the business case of cash machines vs cashless machines and examined where the money from these different transaction types goes. Isaac Occhipinti, BPA head of external affairs, presented on political campaigns and myths surrounding 20mph zones, free parking, parking enforcement, pavement parking and more. He discussed the positive and negative public perceptions that have been generated around each of these, and how we can mitigate misconceptions when implementing policies in the sector. The day concluded with an inspiring, motivational and transparent talk from Ryan Jones MBE, the most capped Welsh captain in rugby union history and Andrew MacKay summed up the day: “Andrew James Enforcement was delighted to sponsor the BPA Welsh Conference again this year. The event was clearly enjoyed and benefited all who attended.” See you all next year!

Swansea’s Guildhall was the venue for the 2024 Parking and Transport Wales Conference

Remembering Norman Downie

An innovator during his career, Norman Downie will also be remembered as a mentor, friend and fun-loving colleague

Norman Downie, who founded RTA Associates Ltd in 1991, has sadly passed away at the age of 80.

Norman gained a DipEd from Aberdeen University in 1967 and went on to work in various specialist IT roles, both for himself and for major IT companies, during the boom time for technological advances.

In the late 1980s, he worked as the managing director of a company providing, managing and co-ordinating services to the Metropolitan Police for the establishment and operation of its clamping and removal operations in Central London. Recognising an opportunity in 1991, he established a privately owned consultancy, RTA Associates, specialising in advising authorities on the implementation of decriminalised parking enforcement. Norman worked with Chris Brimley from Brentwood BC, against a lot of opposition to change, to pioneer the use of digitised map-based Orders and this led to the development of the DTRO system we use today. A legacy to be forever proud of.

Norman was a lovely man who was not only the MD but a friend, colleague and mentor to many. His vast knowledge and experience of the nuances of DPE/CPE, acquired before most people outside of London had even heard of DPE, went

a long way to establishing himself and the company as the go-to place for advice on all things parking.

Outside of work, he was a dedicated family man and a keen motor enthusiast. He retired in 2011 to, among other things, build a car in his garage from a rusty chassis.

Peter Lowe, the current owner and MD of RTA Associates, recalls Norman as a fun-loving person who liked a laugh – he remembers Norman giving a presentation to Cheshire Council in 2001 dressed in his Rupert Bear golfing trousers as he had forgotten to pack his suit!

Never to be forgotten in the parking world, Norman will be fondly remembered by everyone he met. Norman, you will find your space in heaven but please keep between the lines.

Norman pioneered the use of digitised map-based Orders and this led to the development of the DTRO system we use today

Be.EV appoints new board members

EV charging firm Be.EV has appointed four new non-executive members to its board, as it looks to expand its operations nationwide.

Joining the board are:

• Garren Nahabedian from the Octopus Energy Group, where he is head of partnerships at the public charging app, Octopus Electroverse.

• Marie-France van Heel, chief customer officer at Be.EV, who has experience in marketing and customer strategy from working with Sky, P&G, the Natural History Museum and Disney.

• Richard Powell becomes a nonexecutive director having worked as a strategic advisor to Be.EV. Richard has extensive experience in real estate from his role as CEO of Latchmoor Properties.

• John Mothersole will serve on the board as an observer. John is also a strategic advisor to Be.EV and is the former CEO of Sheffield City Council.

Will Stratton-Morris, chair of the board, said:

“Each of these individuals brings a specific skill set and market knowledge to the board, which will be critical as the company continues to grow.”

BPA

updates

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

Staff changes support new projects

There are some exciting updates to the BPA team structures and workflows

his year has seen some significant change both internally and externally as the BPA launched the sector single Code of Practice for parking on private land, changed the way it audits AOS operators and, more recently, started on-boarding members of the AM-GO scheme. Concurrently, work has been happening in the background to launch a portal for the BPA’s AOS members and to enhance systems to better support scheme members.

As the BPA begins to scale up AM-GO specifically, it needs to ensure that it has sufficient, dedicated resource in every area and so has been working with its team managers to define exactly how this needs to be structured. The key changes now in place are as follows:

• Anne Bevis, technical compliance manager, and Jack Heslegrave, compliance officer, will transition over to Sara Fisher’s team. Their key focus will be AM-GO,

particularly supporting and advising prospective new members during this important on-boarding period. It will also allow for easier collaboration with the Area Manager team – who are a key part of the AM-GO project. Anne and Jack will both also retain some AOS member-facing responsibilities and will work closely with the AOS team.

• The AOS team is currently hiring for a senior compliance officer – and it is hoped that this will be an internal hire. The senior officer will take on some of Anne’s current AOS responsibilities.

• It has been decided that all AOS and AM-GO team colleagues will have the term ‘investigation’ removed from their job titles. The team roles are now much more focused on embedding and auditing compliance of BPA members and are not limited to the investigation of

complaints. The team role has evolved over the years and compliance officer is now more forward thinking and appropriate.

• Gemma Dorans, Senior Conformity Assessment Manager, will have the new title Senior Compliance Manager Working with Anne, she will be producing a new responsibility matrix to deliver clarity on responsibilities across the AOS team.

Sara Fisher, head of operations and business development, said: “This is a clear sign of the BPA’s readiness for growth, which in turn demonstrates success. To that end, I would like to take the opportunity to thank Gemma and Anne for supporting myself and Sara Roberts in defining this restructure, and those colleagues who have collaborated across all teams to support us in bringing the AM-GO project together. It’s been quite a journey – pun intended!”

Welcome to the BPA’s new members!

DesParking

DesParking has evolved into a premier car park provider, serving as a reliable destination for individuals seeking convenient and efficient parking solutions. With strategically positioned locations throughout London, DesParking offers cost-effective solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clientele. desparking.uk

Eskuta

Eskuta designs and manufactures electric vehicles for the eCargo and personal/leisure markets, creating a revolution in the world of last mile delivery and personal mobility. eskuta.com

Prime Light

With 30 years’ experience, the Prime Light Group offers a complete solution to wireless lighting controls and a comprehensive suite of lighting components. primelight.co.uk

VoltShare

VoltShare’s EV-charging solution is designed for the unique needs of hospitality venues and car parks, offering a pay-as-you-go model that eliminates subscription fees. With VoltShare, you can attract eco-conscious guests and become a celebrated part of your local community. linkedin.com/company/ voltshare

Women in Parking and Floella!

There is still time to book your place for the next in-person Women In Parking event – An a ernoon with Baroness Floella Benjamin! This is a FREE event and all Women in Parking supporters are invited.

Where London Docklands Museum (nearest tube – Canary Wharf)

When 14 November 2024; 11am registration for 12 noon prompt start Who Baroness Floella Benjamin OM, DBE, DL is a Trinidadian-British actress, singer, presenter, author and politician. She is known as a presenter of children’s programmes such as Play School, Play Away, Jamboree and Fast Forward. On 28 June 2010, Lady Benjamin was introduced to the House of Lords as a life peer, nominated by the Liberal Democrats. In 2024, she was honoured with the BAFTA Fellowship award for her services to television.

Register now –limited spaces

The exclusive BPA Women in Parking events are free to attend but have limited capacity. If you would like to attend, please register through the QR code, but only do so if you are sure you can attend so that all of the limited spaces are filled on the day.

And there’s more – a ernoon tea anyone? Don’t mind if we do! What’s the catch? None – however, before you register…

The BPA Women in Parking charity, Smart Works, gives unemployed women the clothing, coaching and confidence they need to succeed at interview and get the job. Everyone attending this event is asked to bring either an item meeting the criteria for the Smart Works clothing drive and/or a donation to support Smart Works.

READ MORE For more information on donations, visit: smartworks.org.uk

RECOGNISING HIGH STANDARDS

Car Park in Rotherham has received a Park Mark award in recognition of its safety, security and cleanliness. The CEO of the parking company, Beatrice Grouchy de Vornez-Rhodes, said: “This award isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s a clear signal to your customers that you’re committed to making their parking experience as safe and secure as possible.”

The car park managed by Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) Manchester has achieved the prestigious Park Mark Plus award. Nick Caunter, managing director of APH, said: “Park Mark and Park Mark Plus give customers the assurance that they are choosing a reliable car park, allowing them to travel abroad with the confidence that their car is in a safe, secure and well-managed facility.”

Ayr Central Car Park has been awarded the Park Mark Plus and Park Access accreditations. Centre manager Kevin Lang said: “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and creating an environment that is welcoming to all. It demonstrates our dedication to delivering high standards in safe parking facilities and also acknowledges the car park’s provisions for disabled visitors.”

Three car parks managed by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in Hertfordshire have once again achieved the prestigious Park Mark award. The Lemsford Road and Kennelwood Lane car parks in Hatfield and the Campus East Upper car park in Welwyn Garden City were all reaccredited.

Townfield Street MSCP in Chelmsford has become the first facility in the southeast to receive a Park Mark Plus award in recognition of measures put in place to actively deter crime and the fear of crime. Chelmsford City Council has also maintained all its 21 existing Park Mark awards and increased its number of Park Access accredited sites to 16.

Baroness Floella Benjamin

Specialist services

Suppliers to support your operation

Marketplace

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

BUCHANAN ORDER MANAGEMENT

The leading Map-based Tra ic Order Consultancy that specialises in delivering accurate and comprehensive Tra ic Order Reviews and Support work. Please contact us to discuss how we can work with you.

01635 290790 | enquiries@buchananorders.co.uk | www.buchananorders.co.uk

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

CARFLOW

Carflow provides car park management services to retailers and landowners throughout the UK, specialising in Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) parking systems. Our services help our clients to increase car park utilisation and revenue. Conor Greely | 0208 819 7451 | sales@carflow.co.uk | www.carflow.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. Offering 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 after-sales support for HUB Parking Access and Revenue Control Systems. The company creates state-of-the-art systems that make parking efficient, profitable and easy to manage.

Sarah Cosby | sarah.cosby@faac.co.uk

INTELLI-PARK

We are Intelli-Park, the leading provider of innovative car park management solutions. We provide tech-led, including our data-driven iHub Insights; eCam, ANPR, Total Parking Management and EV charging. Our services enhance the overall customer parking experience and increases business revenue.

sales@intelli-park.com | contactus@intelli-park.com | intelli-park.com

MAKERS CONSTRUCTION LIMITED

Leading experts in car parking refurbishment with over 40 years of contracting experience. Offering 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

NAGELS

Nagels is the world’s largest parking ticket manufacturer. We supply pay-onfoot and pay and display tickets, enforcement stationery, RFID and plastic cards, parking signage, cones, barriers and many other products to parking companies in the UK and Ireland. Jim Williamson | +44 (0)1482 873597 | sales@nagels.co.uk | www.nagels.com

NMI

NMI develops trusted payment software 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

Marketplace

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

ORBILITY

Orbility Limited designs, manufactures and maintains automatic barriers, pay on foot systems and ANPR ticketless solutions. We provide payment options that include credit and debit card, contactless, payment by phone, coins, bank notes, bank note recycling and back o ice solutions for all sectors.

+44 (0)2392 414 423 | info.uk@orbility.com | www.orbility.com

PARKING AND SECURE DOCUMENTS

PSD – incorporating The Parking Shop – is the market leader for parking related statutory document mailings and sustainable manual enforcement stationery. We also supply line marking and signage solutions and as part of our service we o er on site surveys and reports.

Integrity Communications Group, Westfield Trading Estate, Midsomer Norton, Bath BA3 4BS | 01761 409290 | contact@parkingandsecuredocuments.com parkingandsecuredocuments.com

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

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

RTA ASSOCIATES LTD

RTA Associates o ers a specialist parking solutions consultancy. We also undertake TRO, MTO and car park condition and legality surveys and full GIS digitised mapping of Orders using RTAOrderPro, which is a managed hosted service providing up to date records of your Orders. Our public portal allows you to make, advertise, consult and seal Orders. Peter Lowe | 07900 264137 | plowe@rtaassociates.co.uk | www.rtaassociates.co.uk

SMART PARKING

As an award winning and market-leading provider of car park management technology and services our aim is simple, to make life easier for clients and their customers. Specialising in ANPR technology, we deliver end-to-end parking solutions to customers across the UK and beyond. Our insight and reporting tools put real-time parking data at your fingertips. 0845 230 3081 | sales@smartparking.com | www.smartparking.com

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 tra ic 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 tra ic monitoring equipment, a wide range of instrumentation and so ware 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

TOTAL PARKING SOLUTIONS

The strength of Total Parking Solutions Ltd lies within its long and wide-ranging experience in the parking sector. With over 40 years’ combined experience the company has achieved a reputation as one of the leading providers of car parking solutions, throughout the UK.

01536 680107 | info@totalparking.co.uk | www.totalparking.co.uk

TWIN

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

VIDEALERT

Videalert is the UK’s leading supplier of intelligent tra ic enforcement and management solutions that deliver the highest productivity at the lowest operational cost. With over 2,000 locations installed across the UK, Videalert o ers a comprehensive suite of CCTV tra ic and parking management solutions, comprising attended, unattended, and mobile, using the same intelligent digital video platform. paul.costello@marstonholdings.co.uk | marstonholdings.co.uk/videalert/

Transformers – roll out!

We don’t yet have cars that can flip into all-powerful robots, but the transformation of vehicles – and with it, parking infrastructure – is still moving at pace, says Kelvin Reynolds

When I asked my wife what the word ‘transformers’ meant to her, she said, “Robots in disguise” – recalling the days when our children played with motorcars which could transform into powerful robots.

And while such vehicles thankfully remain the preserve of sci-fi, the new breed of self-driving, self-steering, self-braking, electric vehicles (EVs) are light years ahead of even their recent ancestors. They have been transformed!

Ask our EV Connect members, and they will give you a di erent answer: a transformer is a passive component that transfers energy from one electrical circuit to another. Some might even say we are transforming the landscape, in the public road network and our car parks, as we focus our energies on the rollout of EV charging infrastructure.

Our car parks are also being transformed, as operators seek to deploy solar energy systems which can be used for EV charging and providing energy directly to the parking facility.

Regardless, the media and various campaigns are consistently complaining that there aren’t enough public recharging points, but how many is enough? We are working with the O ice for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEF), low-carbon transport consultancy Cenex, and the Energy Saving Trust to understand what is really needed.

As battery technology improves and EV range increases, are we not risking massive over-supply with built-in obsolescence? Should we be underpinning a belief that “I have parked and therefore I can charge”? Is destination charging the future? If so, who pays for it? Even so-called free energy is subsidised in some way. And then some transformations may be reversed by changing needs. We’ve been reducing street furniture to enable better and safer use of the pavements for years – yet here come EV chargers. Is kerbside charging sustainable?

Uncertain future

This was a big topic at the recent EV Connect Group meeting. As Chris Rimmer, infrastructure strategy lead at Cenex, said: “We can provide local authorities with the tools they need to get the right number of charge points, of the right power, in the right places.”

Have you used their NEVIS Car Park calculator which comes with a discount for BPA members?

Meanwhile, taxpayers have already invested millions to expand kerbside and residential charging when no one knows what the future standards will be; the debate still rages about accessibility despite having PAS 1899, the Accessible EV Charging Standard, since 2023. Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson is probably the most high-profile campaigner for it to be mandated – rather than recommended – and there are many who agree with

her. Others believe that meeting the requirements of PAS 1899 on street is nigh-on impossible. And then there is a conundrum: manufacturers build what people want to buy. So what is the demand for accessible EV chargers? The Energy Saving Trust says the number of disabled drivers or passengers in the UK will increase to 2.7 million by 2035.

Managing congestion

A switch to an EV fleet will not fix congestion. Perhaps the truth is that we should be reducing the number of vehicles on our roads, regardless of what fuels them.

Speculation is rife about what the Chancellor might do in the budget from a government focused on renationalising buses and trains. Some argue that the fairest and greenest option will be to introduce a pay-as-yougo model: the more you travel, the more you pay.

Either way, get connected. It’s certain that our sector is being transformed. Kelvin Reynolds

How many public EV recharging points do we need?