Colchester car park second in country to be awarded Park Mark Plus

Colchester Borough Council’s award-winning Priory Street Car Park is only the second car park in the country to receive the new and elite Park Mark Plus status by the British Parking Association (BPA).

Building on the BPA’s well-regarded Safer Parking scheme, Park Mark, the new Park Mark Plus award recognises only the highest-quality car parks. The award assesses a range of criteria, including services, operations, design and build. To qualify for the award, car park’s must already have the BPA’s Park Mark award and meet the Disability Parking Accreditation criteria.

Priory Street Car Park provides 169 spaces, including seven disabled badge bays, and offers step-free access to the town centre. Other benefits include high-quality surfacing, a contactless payment system, improved and attractive landscaping and architectural lighting to celebrate the Roman Town Wall.

The car park, which is owned by Colchester Borough Council and managed by the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP), underwent a 16-week refurbishment in 2016.

Colchester Borough Council also has 21 car parks that hold the BPA’s Park Mark award, which is a Police Crime Prevention Initiative aimed at reducing both crime and the fear of crime in parking facilities.

Councillor Mike Lilley, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities, Wellbeing and Public Safety, said: “I’m delighted that Priory Street Car Park is one of the first car parks in the country to receive the national Park Mark Plus award. A huge amount of work went into the car park’s refurbishment four years ago to improve its functionality, ease of use and attractiveness, and it is great to see this recognised with another award. The NEPP continues to do a fantastic job of maintaining the car park to a very high standard for all its users.”

Cllr Robert Mitchell, Chairman of North Essex Parking Partnership, said: “This is great news for Colchester Borough Council and our staff who work hard to ensure the car parks we manage are safe, attractive and accessible. I’m delighted that the NEPP’s management of car parks is recognised through this award and that 36 of the car parks NEPP manages for its partners across North Essex have Park Mark accreditations.”

Graham Chapman, Area Manager for the British Parking Association, added: “I am delighted that all the hard work that went into the sympathetic refurbishment of Priory Street Car Park has been justifiably rewarded by this new enhanced Park Mark Plus award specifically for car parks which have achieved the highest parking facility standards combined with exceptional customer service. Good management can ensure that measures are in place to reduce crime and the fear of crime and care for the environment as well as enforce disabled parking for the benefit of those that need accessible bays. Well done NEPP and Colchester Council.”

Priory Street Car Park is open 24 hours, costs from 90p for up to 30 minutes on a sliding scale for long stay parking; with three hours costing just £3.30 (Monday to Friday and Sunday only). The evening charge from 6pm to midnight is £2.

Cashless and contactless payments are also available in the car park using MiPermit, where drivers can access exclusive parking offers in Priory Street Car Park, which currently include a £2 after 2pm offer and 50% extra free parking time. MiPermit can be used via an app, online portal, text or phone call.

Information on all of the Council's car parks, offers and hassle-free contactless payments is available at www.colchester.gov.uk/parking