Every Colchester car park retains award

All council-owned car parks across Colchester Borough have retained national awards for their safety and accessibility for thirteen consecutive years.

Following an independent assessment by the police, Colchester Borough Council’s car parks have been awarded the national Safer Parking Scheme’s ‘Park Mark’ by the British Parking Association (BPA), with Priory Street car park being awarded the prestigious ‘Park Mark Plus’ Award.

The Park Mark award recognises the investment in car parks to actively deter crime, ensuring the safety of their customers and vehicles.

Building on the BPA’s well-regarded Safer Parking scheme, Park Mark, the Park Mark Plus is awarded only to the highest-quality car parks. The award commends investment into services, operations, design and build.

To qualify for the plus award, car parks must already have the BPA’s Park Mark Award and meet the Disability Parking Accreditation criteria.

Cllr Simon Crow, Colchester Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment & Sustainability, said: “I’m delighted that Colchester has retained all 20 Park Mark awards, and the Park Mark Plus for Priory Street. The NEPP continues to do a fantastic job of maintaining all our car parks to a very high standard and it comes to no surprise that twenty other car parks in Colchester uphold the Park Mark award too.”

Cllr Sue Lissimore, Chair of North Essex Parking Partnership, said: “This is excellent for Colchester Borough Council and our staff who work hard to ensure the car parks we manage are safe, attractive and accessible. NEPP continue to evolve by exploring new ways and technologies to improve our car parks. I’m proud to see NEPP’s management of car parks is recognised through this award and that 33 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: “Retaining these awards is a credit to the hard work NEPP and Colchester Council invest in the management of these car parks. I am pleased to see the 20 car parks provide quality management and a clean environment with low recorded crime and anti-social behaviour. It’s reassuring to know the value of ensuring safety of customers and their vehicles is still a priority.”

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

Photo: (left to right) PC Lee Mullen; Cllr Simon Crow; Cllr Sue Lissimore; Graham Chapman, British Parking Association; Angie Pearson, Essex Police