The Common receives national award for safety
The Common receives national recognition for safety
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s newly completed multi-storey car park, The Common, has been awarded the prestigious Park Mark award following assessment by Hertfordshire police and the British Parking Association.
A Park Mark is awarded to parking facilities that pass a rigorous risk assessment and include management and maintenance of the facility, ensuring that there are appropriate levels of surveillance, lighting, signage and cleanliness. These criteria are known to reduce the opportunity for crime and create a safer environment for the motorist and their vehicle.
Cllr Duncan Bell, Executive Member for Resources at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, said: “A huge amount of work went into the design of The Common multi-storey, to help ensure its safety and ease of use. We are pleased to have these efforts recognised, as well as industry accreditation that the car park is maintained to high standards.”
Gerry Brophy, Principal Crime Prevention Design Advisor Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is to be congratulated upon achieving the Park Mark award at their newly constructed multi-storey car park. When implemented effectively, simple crime prevention measures can lead to a significant reduction in crime, reduce demand on frontline policing and improve community confidence. The Safer Parking Scheme is a great example of this in practice.”
Antony Powell, British Parking Association Area Manager said: “I am delighted that Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has achieved Park Mark award. The award is a demonstration of the hard work and commitment by the council to provide a safe parking environment for all visitors to this brand new facility. Everyone involved in this project should be really proud.”
Car parks with the Park Mark award can use signage featuring the distinctive Park Mark tick, so that drivers know exactly where to go for safer parking. Early adopters of the scheme saw a dramatic drop in vehicle-related crime of over 80% showing that the initiative really does make a difference.
Personal safety and location have been cited as joint priorities when choosing where to park. There are currently 5000 car parks with the Park Mark award throughout the UK which can be found on a designated website www.parkmark.co.uk
Photo: (left to right): Herts Police Safer Neighbourhood Team Officers; Matthew Nicholls, Car Parks Officer, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and Gerry Brophy, Principal Crime Prevention Design Advisor Hertfordshire Constabulary.
