Top Awards for Council Car Parks | Castle Point News

Castle Point Borough Council has been awarded Disabled Parking Accreditation (DPA) from Disabled Motoring UK for the first time for the Council’s car park at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, Canvey Island. The car parks at Rectory Road, Hadleigh, Richmond Hall Benfleet, Hart Road Thundersley and Oak Road Canvey Island have also achieved the award.

The award recognises the car parks’ suitability for disabled drivers including facilities on the size of the parking bays, ease of access and safe zones for wheelchair users to enter and exit their vehicle.

For the first year the Council’s car park at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre has also achieved the prestigious British Parking Association’s Park Mark award. Six other Council car parks at School Lane, Essex Way, Rectory Road, Richmond Hall Benfleet, Hart Road Thundersley and Oak Road Canvey Island have retained the Park Mark award for another year.

Securing the Park Mark award is recognition that the car parks are among the safest in the country ensuring a safe environment and high standard of cleanliness, signage, surveillance and lighting.

Park Mark accredited car parks are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure car park management and operating measures meet the highest standard and safeguard vehicles and their owners.

Councillor Tom Skipp Castle Point Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Environment and Leisure said “ I am delighted we have met the standards to achieve the Disabled Parking Accreditation for our council’s car parks"

"We are committed to providing high quality parking facilities for our disabled residents and visitors and I am always impressed to see the continuous improvements being made for the benefit of all our customers, a result of the continued commitment and investment by Castle Point Borough Council.”

“I am so pleased that once again that we have been recognised for our provision of safer car parks with the Park Mark Awards. Residents and visitors to the Borough want to feel they and their vehicles are safe when using our car parks."

“These awards also recognises the hard work of our staff and demonstrates the Council’s determination to provide safe, high-quality parking facilities and aim to help reduce levels of crime in the Borough.”

Photo:  Councillors Mrs Beverley Egan; Bill Dick and the Leader of the Council Colin Riley pictured recently at hart Road car park which has been awarded Disabled Parking Accreditation for the first time.

Information

A Park Mark is awarded to parking facilities that pass a rigorous risk assessment conducted by the police and the British Parking Association.  The assessments 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.

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

To find Disabled Parking Accredited car parks search www.dpaccreditation.org.uk