Parking Review Issue 385 by Landor LINKS

Poor chargepoint provision excludes disabled people from using electric vehicles

Accessible EV charging is a champion idea

Former Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson calls for accessible electric vehicle charging to be made mandatory

The independent mobility afforded by driving is valued by people with disabilities. So it is frustrating when they encounter badly designed bays, poorly placed parking machines and inadequate enforcement. Sadly, it seems that poor design and careless management is leading to electric vehicle charging facilities being rendered inaccessible to people with disabilities. On the plus side there is a British specification – BSI PAS 1899:2022 – that sets out essential specifications on how to provide accessible public chargepoints for electric vehicles. But in reality British specifications are voluntary, so chargepoint providers and landowners are under no legal obligation to implement them.

This problem has been highlighted by one of Britain’s greatest Paralympic athletes, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, who has called for all public EV charging sites to have accessible charging mandated by law. She forcefully stated: “It is clearly unacceptable that it has been possible to build EV charging infrastructure without accessibility. As we move to electric vehicles disabled people will experience more discrimination if they are not able to transition.”

One hopes that, in what is the year of the Paris Paralympics, the chargepoint operator and parking sectors will pay heed to the Dame’s plea.

Mark Moran Editor

Parking Review online: www.parkingreview.co.uk

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson

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Attack of the space invaders

Drivers are being warned to avoid using fake QR codes appearing

Ground

Improving minicab facilities at Heathrow will reduce anti-social parking in nearby neighbourhoods, says Anthony Smith

Meet Mr President

North Essex Parking Partnership’s Richard Walker has taken office as the British Parking Association’s new president

The

The Federation of Small Businesses sets out a vision of how parking policy can better support the UK’s high streets

Delivering

Chief adjudicator Caroline Hamilton sets out the work of the Traffic Penalty Tribunal in her new annual report

Making the right connections

The Mobility Hubs 2024 conference discussed the planning, design and implementation of multi-modal interchanges

Parking structures

Crewe’s new city centre multi-storey car park opens and concerns are raised about the rising price of solar panels

The latest developments in zero-emission transport

Stuart Harrison and Richard Walker

Mobility Hubs 2024

Attack of the space invaders

Drivers are being warned to avoid fake QR codes being stuck on payment machines at car parks

There has been a worrying spike in false QR codes being posted on parking machines around the country in recent months. The false codes are leading people to enter their card details into fraudulent websites set up to steal payment information, which criminals then use to spend money from their bank accounts. By scanning these counterfeit QR codes, car park users can also fall victim to other scams by disclosing sensitive information such as credit card data, login credentials, or personal information.

QR (quick response) codes work when a user scans them on a digital device, most commonly smartphones. QR codes are widely used to direct people to websites and logging into devices. During the COVID pandemic, they were popularised in the hospitality sector to enable people to safely order food and drinks from their tables. Since the pandemic, there has been a steep rise in the use of QR codes. Sadly, cybercriminals also use this technology as a new way to defraud people out of money. Criminals are catching out unsuspecting drivers by placing fake QR codes over councilowned parking machines, in what’s being dubbed as ‘quishing’. Reports of fake QR codes appearing in car parks and at electric vehicle charging areas have come from across the UK, with scams being attempted in both urban and rural locations. There have also been instances of false QR codes forming part of fake penalty charges issued to cars.

Local authorities, parking payment companies, police forces and motoring organisations are all warning drivers to be vigilant when using QR codes posted on pay stations and signs in car parks. Payment providers such as PayByPhone and RingGo have published advice regarding QR codes on their websites. PayByPhone says mobile applications have revolutionised street parking payments by offering a digital payment option. “The application for this service can be found on parking meters through stickers featuring a QR code for downloading the application within seconds,” the payment provider said.” However, this convenience has also given certain cybercriminals ideas, as they aim to counterfeit these QR Codes to redirect users to fraudulent websites, and demand illegal additional payments for downloading the application or paying for parking.”

RingGo points out that it does not employ QR codes on any signs it posts to help drivers pay for parking. RingGo advises: “Scammers sometimes build fake websites and apps to steal personal details and money. You should only access our information and services via the official RingGo websites – ringgo.co.uk and myringgo.co.uk – and download the RingGo app from the App Store or Google Play.”

Local authorities across the UK are instructing civil enforcement officers (CEOs) to remove any unauthorised notices wherever they are spotted. For example, in the South of England, Portsmouth City Council is using social media to alert the public and working with Hampshire Constabulary. Cllr Peter Candlish, cabinet member for transport, said: “We don’t use any QR codes for parking in the city, so we urge everyone to stay alert and only use official sources to prevent giving away their payment details. It’s crucial for people to use the official RingGo app to pay for parking in Portsmouth to avoid falling for scams like fake QR codes.”

In the North of England, Greater Manchester Police has issued a warning to the public. GMP’s Economic Crime Unit said: “QR code fraud is more likely to happen in open spaces, such as car parks or parking meters. With this type of scam, fraudsters will put a fake QR code sticker over a real QR code on a parking meter and the fake QR code will take users to a genuine looking payment site to steal personal information and in some instances financial information.”

A tweet by Portsmouth City Council warning drivers about fake codes

A quick route to losing money

The RAC’s Simon Williams advises drivers to only pay with cash, card or official apps to avoid scams

Acar park is one of the last places where you’d expect to be caught out by online fraud. Unfortunately, the increasing popularity and ease of using QR (Quick Response) codes appears to have made drivers more vulnerable to malicious scammers. For some, this sadly means a QR code could in fact be a ‘quick route’ to losing money.

As if this ‘quishing’ scam isn’t nasty enough, it can also lead to drivers being caught out twice if they don’t realise they haven’t paid for parking and end up getting a hefty fine from the council. The safest course of action when paying for parking at a council-owned car park is to avoid using QR codes altogether. Most of these councils don’t even operate a QR code payment system, so if you’re in any doubt, steer well clear and only pay with cash, card or via an official app downloaded from your smartphone’s app store. This advice should also be applied wherever a QR code is offered as a method of payment on a public sign, including electric vehicle chargepoints and private car parks.

This new wave of criminal activity is case in point for why the UK is in dire need of the National Parking Platform, which will allow everyone to use one app of their choice to pay for parking. As people are faced with a plethora of different payment apps depending on where they are in the country, it’s no wonder many resort to the convenience of using the QR codes they see on payment machines.

Our research with drivers shows that many still prefer to pay with cash. Unfortunately, this option – along with payment machines – are being phased out by lots of councils, which a majority of drivers think is a bad idea. We believe there should always be at least two different means of paying for parking in the event technology fails or the car park is located somewhere with intermittent phone signal.

Simon Williams is the RAC’s head of policy

How to identify fake QR codes

Greater Manchester has published crime prevention advice following reports of QR code fraud. Officers from GMP’s Economic Crime Team are out in communities across Greater Manchester daily giving out fraud prevention advice. The force has also issued advice on how to avoid the scam:

• When scanning QR codes in public spaces, check for tampered QR code stickers. If something doesn’t look right and the sticker looks out of place, type in the URL manually to ensure you are getting to the correct website.

• When you are scanning a QR code, make sure that you are using the QR scanner that comes with your phone, rather than using an app that’s downloaded on an app store.

• Preview the URL, on some latest updates on mobile phones, as you start to scan the QR code, a URL will come up – if this URL code doesn’t look right, stop scanning.

If a person feels as though they or someone they know has been a victim of fraud, they should report this to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040.

Falling foul of parking penalties

Drivers detect a bogus parking ticket scam

Fraudsters are using fake penalty charges in an attempt to defraud drivers across London. There have been reports of fake tickets being issued by a company called ‘Parking Measure Control Ltd’. The notices say the driver must pay £120 “within the next 14 days” or a “discounted amount” of £60 for early payments made within seven days.

There is a QR code that leads to a website where the alleged “offender” can insert a notice number and a registration number.

A Peckham resident told radio station LBC they were surprised to find a penalty being issued on a Sunday. “After examining the ticket closely, it became clear that it was a fake, designed to deceive residents into paying fines to a bogus company,” he said. “I was shocked to learn that several neighbours had also been targeted by this scam and some had even gone so far as to renew their parking permits unnecessarily or pay the fraudulent fines.”

An Islington driver discovered a fraudulent ticket attached to his windscreen alongside a legitimate ticket from the council. He had been parked on a public road, and both tickets appeared at the same time. The fake ticket, issued ‘Parking Measure Control’, was in a carrier labelled “parking charge notice”, while the legitimate local authority ticket read “penalty charge notice”.

He called the number provided by ‘Parking Measure Control Ltd’ but was unable to reach anyone. When he checked online for advice, a Reddit user in a legal advice subreddit told him the company that issued the fine was unregistered.

LBC found that any combination of numbers and letters will allow the user access to the payment page. The phone number written on the tickets leads to a recorded message telling the user to email the company to appeal or stay on the line. LBC was unable to reach anyone after multiple calls.

A fake PCN with QR code

A false PCN carrier

Create Revenue from Blue Badge Enforcement

Introducing the National Blue Badge Online Awareness Course: Protecting the Integrity of the Disabled Persons Blue Badge Scheme.

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By focusing on education and behavioural change, our Online Awareness Course plays a crucial role in preserving the integrity of the Blue Badge Scheme,

ensuring that it continues to serve those who genuinely need it. In addition to our Awareness Course, National Blue Badge offers a comprehensive suite of services, including:

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Our unique model supports Local Authorities by alleviating financial strain, allowing resources to be reallocated to other critical services, and creating a new revenue stream. We leverage the latest technology and data-driven insights to address both current and emerging challenges in Blue Badge misuse.

Partnering with us helps ensure the Blue Badge Scheme remains a vital resource for those who rely on it.

Transforming Blue Badge enforcement

Enhancing Services & Creating Revenue

National Blue Badge’s groundbreaking approach allows Local Authorities to protect the integrity of the Disabled Persons Blue Badge Scheme while reducing financial burdens and creating a new much needed revenue stream. Our commitment to innovation, excellence, and collaboration positions us as leaders in delivering unparalleled support to our partners.

Online Awareness Courses

Our innovative Online Awareness Courses represent a paradigm shift in Blue Badge enforcement. By prioritising education over punishment, our courses effectively change behaviour and prevent repeat offences. Offenders gain a true insight into the impact of their actions, fostering responsible behaviour and longterm compliance. Our educational model provides Local Authorities with a powerful tool to address infractions while promoting a culture of respect and accountability.

A New Era of Enforcement

Traditionally, Local Authorities had limited options – primarily prosecutions – for addressing Blue Badge misuse. Our solution offers a unique, proportionate, and effective alternative. By shifting the focus to awareness, education, and prevention, our Online Awareness Courses streamline the enforcement process and reduce the need for lengthy, time-consuming and expensive legal procedures.

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Available 24/7/365, our multilingual Online Awareness Courses can be completed in approximately three hours. This flexible alternative to attending court hearings allows offenders to avoid the stress of legal proceedings and offenders potentially obtaining a criminal conviction, while still holding them accountable.

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Authorities spend on enforcement, cautions and prosecutions, with offenders covering the cost of their own education by

completing an Awareness Course. Our solutions not only prevent further misuse of the Blue Badge Scheme they also eliminate enforcement costs and generate a new, much needed revenue stream for our Local Authority partners.

Our model offers:

An alternative to cautions or prosecutions

A new, much needed revenue stream

Proportionate and less severe remedies

Prevention of long-term consequences for offenders

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Cost-effective solutions in both time and resources

Guaranteed outcomes for every case

Full compliance with Department for Transport guidelines

A strong deterrent against potential offenders

Education, awareness, and prevention of further misuse.

Eradicating Blue Badge Misuse

Through our services, Local Authorities can significantly increase compliance and enforcement against misuse and abuse of the Disabled Persons Blue Badge Scheme. We ensure Blue Badge privileges are reserved for those who truly need them, protecting resources and securing income streams.

Promoting Accessibility and Inclusion

Our mission is to ensure every eligible individual enjoys unimpeded access to parking, fostering an inclusive environment that respects and supports the needs of disabled persons.

Optimising Resources and Building Community Trust

By addressing Blue Badge misuse, Local Authorities can redirect funds to other critical services, enhancing overall community wellbeing. Our enforcement solutions also help build trust within the community by promoting fairness and social responsibility.

Nearly 130,000 cars stolen in UK annually

Vehicle thefts remain at 15-year high according to official statistics

The number of vehicles stolen in the UK remains at a record high level, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Year-on-year crime statistics show that there were 129,159 vehicles stolen between April 2023 and March 2024.

This is slightly lower when compared to the 130,119 vehicle thefts for same period in 202223, but keeps the number of vehicle thefts in the UK at a 15year high.

Despite the worrying levels of vehicle crime, incidents of items being stolen from vehicles fell by 12% year-on-year.

In total, there were 193,023 crimes reported to police that involved items being taken from

said: “After falling steadily during the 2010s, the last few years have seen an alarming rise in the number of recorded crimes where vehicles are stolen with an average of 356 being taken every day of the year.

vehicles after they had been broken into. For the same period the year before, 218,431 people reported that something had been taken from their vehicle.

However, further analysis of the ONS data showed that there was a 2% rise in vehicle interference or tampering with a

Red route for Newcastle airport

New traffic regulations are being introduced on roads around Newcastle International Airport in order to tackle illegal, inconsiderate and dangerous behaviour.

Newcastle City Council will be restricting parking as part of a ‘red route’ on the B6918 and Callerton Lane near Newcastle International Airport.

The new rules prohibit vehicles from stopping or parking on the roads or the grass verges instead of paying for a parking space at the airport, while they wait to pick people up.

An airport spokesperson said: “These measures are in response to concerns from local residents regarding inappropriate and inconsiderate parking in the

area and to improve the safety of such roads.”

Parking is currently available in an area of the airport where cars can park 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.

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. It will reduce the risk of incidents caused by illegal, inconsiderate, and dangerous parking along this busy route.

“The red route system will also ensure that vehicles can move seamlessly, reducing congestion and the risk of traffic disruptions.”

motor vehicle. This is where parts from the vehicle are stolen, such as catalytic converters, number plates, and vehicle badges.

In 2022-23, there were 52,268 reported incidents, which increased to 53,369 this year.

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis

“And when you consider that most car theft crimes go unsolved, it’s a pretty bleak picture. It’s a real cat-and-mouse situation between vehicle manufacturers and criminals, with carmakers ever tightening security, only for thieves to use increasingly sophisticated tactics to find a way round their systems.

“We would like to see the new government take steps to tackle car crime by re-establishing the vehicle theft taskforce that was set up in 2019, or at least engaging heavily with police forces, manufacturers and the insurance industry to map out a way forward.”

Buckinghamshire Council’s counter fraud team led a Blue Badge operation supported by the county’s Blue Badge team, civil enforcement officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

The operation spanned car parks and street parking bays in South Buckinghamshire, High Wycombe and Aylesbury to target the misuse and abuse of Blue Badges.

The action was part of a wider tri-county exercise and was coordinated with neighbouring local authorities, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire.

Across the three counties, 34 Blue Badges were seized; 20 in Hertfordshire; 11 in Buckinghamshire; and three in

Oxfordshire.

Cllr Steven Broadbent, Buckinghamshire cabinet member for transport, said:

“Blue Badge parking permits provide a lifeline to individuals with mobility challenges or long-term health issues.

Unfortunately, the system is sometimes misused by those who are not entitled to use these permits.

“The Buckinghamshire operation inspected 364 badges and handed out over 60 leaflets to Blue Badge users offering advice on how to keep their Blue Badges safe. There are now ongoing enquiries following the operation with potential prosecutions pending.”

Blue Badge inspection in Buckinghamshire

Car theft is at a 15-year high

Crack down on Blue Badge misuse

Southeastern delays digital parking system

Train company listens to customer concerns ahead of switchover

A new cashless parking system for railway stations across the South East of England has been postponed in order to address customer concerns.

From 19 August train company Southeastern had planned to switch to an app or phonebased system. Instead of customers paying to park at the ticket office or at a machine, the new APCOA Connect system uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) linked to cashless payments, removing the need to display a ticket.

A total of 45 car parks across 38 stations in Kent, East Sussex and Greater London will be affected by the change.

A new APCOA taxi permit portal will also come into affect, where taxi drivers will be able to register and apply for a new annual permit.

The parking page on Southeastern’s website

The company said the new system would be simpler and save travellers’ time. However, on 12 August Southeastern decided to pause the introduction after feedback from customers.

A company statement said: “We have been reviewing customer feedback and it is clear the decision has caused some

concern. Therefore, we have now taken the decision to pause the changes in car parking payments for a few months while we increase the options to help everyone continue to pay for their parking. In the meantime all existing methods of payment will continue.”

Ahead of the planned launch, Southeastern passenger services

Swindon deploys anti-social behaviour wardens

Neighbourhood wardens are now regularly patrolling the streets of Swindon in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) secured £1m of Anti-Social Behaviour Hotspot funding from the Home Office and made £180,000 available to Swindon Borough Council to employ the wardens to deal with ASB in the most affected areas of the town.

The wardens, who started in June, regularly patrol Park North, Park South, Walcot East, Old Town and Faringdon Road, after statistical analysis by Wiltshire Police identified the areas where ASB and serious violence are the most problematic in the town. They operate in both the day and into the early hours of the mornings especially at weekends. As a result of the ASB hotspot funding, increased police patrols have also been introduced.

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, said: “One of my priorities is to reduce anti-social behaviour and serious violence, and through using funding like this

and working with our partners, we can make our communities a safer place to live and work.

“ASB is something which affects many of our residents, and it can be a gateway to more serious criminality for those who are involved in it. By working closely with Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Police, we are already starting to see the benefits the wardens are bringing to the town.

“We now have to build on the work of the wardens and our police officers by identifying the root causes of ASB, and offer solutions such as detached youth work or out of court resolutions.”

Whilst the ASB wardens do

director David Wornham said: “ANPR is a modern system that is widely used by train operators and across other business sectors. It is also the most costeffective, efficient and secure way to manage our car parks and customers will be able to buy tickets in several ways both online, and by phone and will no longer need to display a ticket in their vehicle.”

An APCOA spokesperson said: “ANPR is widely used in both the UK parking industry and across Europe and has been in operation for more than 15 years. It offers flexible payment options for customers as well as a simplified parking experience by automatically monitoring vehicles in all kinds of locations from hospitals to retail, leisure, airports and education.

“Should drivers have any queries, they can continue to use our national customer service centre which supports the ANPR system in exactly the same way.”

Penalties for drivers who park on pavements

Motorists who park on pavements in parts of Swindon risk being fined. Swindon Borough Council is introducing a trial ban on pavement parking to address concerns from residents.

The trial starts in the autumn, and if successful, there will be a wider roll-out next year.

not have any powers of arrest, they are all fully SIA licensed and are equipped with bodyworn cameras. The team are directed by Swindon’s ASB team. The wardens work closely with local Neighbourhood Policing Teams and share intelligence and information where appropriate.

Cllr Jim Grant, Swindon’s cabinet member for communities and partnerships, said: “These neighbourhood wardens will help us reach parts of the town where there are known pockets of antisocial behaviour and will work closely with our ASB team who have specific powers to address anti-social behaviour.”

Councillors have been asked to suggest areas of the Wiltshire town where there have been complaints about the issue. Cllr Chris Watts, cabinet member for the environment and transport, said: “Temporary orders will then enable traffic wardens to issue tickets for pavement parking, something which has previously been confined to the police.”

Pavement parking can be hazardous for wheelchair users, people with pushchairs, elderly residents and people living with visual impairment. It has been banned in London, Edinburgh, and during waste collection times in Portishead, Somerset.

Pedestrian and disability campaigners have joined the Local Government Association in calling for English councils to be given extra powers to address the issue.

Swindon’s anti-social behaviour team

Bay Monitoring

Transport secretary Louise Haigh wants to move away from the “culture wars” conducted by the previous government around issues such as how to control traffic in urban areas. Haigh believes that decisions on introducing road calming and safety schemes, such as 20mph zones, in England should remain with local communities rather than her department.

Speaking to the journalist Laura Laker on the Streets Ahead podcast, Haigh said: “Local authorities will have my full support to roll out schemes.”

The transport secretary made positive comments on road calming and safety schemes such as 20mph zones and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).

LTNs seek to reduce traffic in residential streets and improve access for pedestrians and cyclists by providing dedicated lanes, wider pavements and planters to limit vehicle access.

Speed limits of 20mph are designed to reduce the severity of injuries suffered in accidents. A national 20mph policy was introduced in Wales last year with the aim of improving road safety.

LTNs became a political issue under the final iterations of the Conservative government, when prime minister Rishi Sunak called such schemes “hare-brained” and ordered a review. Conservative ministers had sought to tighten up rules to ensure councils had the support of local residents and businesses.

Haigh told Laker, who writes on cycling issues, that she wanted to move away from the “culture wars” of the previous government. While the Conservative government had invested heavily in active travel during the COVID pandemic, Haigh said the Tories had then taken “the money away again”, leaving many local authorities “in limbo and paralysis”.

“It’s really, really difficult for local authorities when they’ve not got that air cover from government,” said Haigh. “And not only did they not have the air cover, they had the government actively working against them saying ‘No, you’re not allowed to roll out 20mph zones, no, you’re not allowed to roll out LTNs’.

“Those kinds of decisions should absolutely be made at a local level by communities and not dictated to or stoked up by the centre. It all has to be done with communities, absolutely, and the worst thing you can do is put the wrong schemes in because then it erodes that support and they can be unsafe in some circumstances.”

Also, speaking to The Guardian newspaper, Haigh said that funding would be considered in the budget and comprehensive spending review. “We’re certainly not shying away from the target of getting 50% short journeys walking and cycling and that will have to be delivered by local authorities, so anybody who wants to do that work, they’ll have the Department for Transport’s full backing,” she said.

Calling an end to the culture wars

New transport secretary will leave decision-making on low traffic neighbourhood and speed reduction schemes to local bodies

“There’s no way me sitting in my office in the Department for Transport can say ‘This road in Chester should be a 20mph road or not’, it’s completely ridiculous, so if they want to do that then that’s got my full backing.”

The Labour government will also invest “unprecedented levels of funding” in cycling and walking as a critical part of plans to improve health and inequality. She also said access to safe cycle routes was key to reducing country’s carbon footprint.

“We’re in a climate crisis,” she said. “We’re in a public health crisis; getting people walking and cycling and moving more are essential to solving both of those in the immediate term and in the long term. There’s lots of evidence to show that will reduce the number of GP appointments by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, a year.”

Reactions

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Ultimately, local authorities are best placed to decide which roads are most suitable for 20mph limits, and where Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) make the most sense.

“However, we think there’s a good argument for central government to provide councils with refreshed, crystal-clear guidance on the implementation of both, to avoid the sorts of problems that have cropped up in different parts of the country.

“For instance, LTNs should have strong community support and the impacts on users of motorised vehicles, especially those who need to drive for work, should be properly considered alongside all other road users.

“When it comes to 20mph limits, councils should ensure the roads chosen are really appropriate – for instance, those in heavily builtup areas or close to schools – and avoid chopping and changing guidance as we’ve seen happen in Wales.”

Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs at Cycling UK, said: “For decades, Cycling UK has stressed the potential for cycling to not only improve public health, but address the climate crisis head-on, boost the economy, and help to ease the cost-of-living crisis for everyone.

“Research by the Institute for Public Policy Research, supported by Cycling UK, revealed that at least 10% of the total transport budget should be dedicated to active travel within five years to ensure that these benefits are realised. We hope to see the government translate these positive words into firm spending commitments for active travel in the forthcoming Autumn Budget.”

A Low Traffic Neighbourhood

Louise Haigh talks to Laura Laker

Greenwich to trial clean air neighbourhood

reports Deniz Huseyin

The Royal Borough of Greenwich will be trialling traffic calming measures in east and west Greenwich over an 18month period to tackle air pollution, improve road safety, and reduce traffic.

Traffic calming is seen as essential if the council is to deliver the aims of its Carbon Neutral Plan, which includes a range of measures to help encourage walking, cycling and public transport, reduce traffic, improve air quality, and support the roll-out of ultralow emission vehicles.

However, after feedback from residents, the south London council has agreed to amend its plans, reducing the hours of camera enforcement to weekdays and peak hours only. There will also be exemptions for groups such as Blue Badge holders, taxis, private hire vehicles, council refuse vehicles, and individuals and community groups in special circumstances such as children with special education needs.

During the trial, under an experimental traffic order, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) will be in operation on weekdays from 7am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm to stop through traffic on certain roads

in west and east Greenwich.

Traffic calming measures in those areas will help tackle air pollution, improve road safety, and reduce traffic, said the council. Both neighbourhoods suffer from high levels of through traffic and poor air quality, despite the fact many local residents do not own cars, it added.

The council said that since October 2022 it has written to over 9,200 households and businesses in the area and held seven events attended by over 400 people. In total over 8,000 responses were received across both phases, including 3,000 in the second phase, the council reports.

Averil Lekau, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action, environment and transport, said: “How we all choose to move around our borough can impact whole communities in positive and negative ways.

We have the fourth highest number of babies being hospitalised with respiratory tract infections as well as one of the highest levels of childhood obesity in London.”

Traffic is one of the main causes of air pollution and accounts for 31% of the borough’s carbon emissions. Lekau said: “By reducing it we can make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle. This is one of the aims of our transport strategy, alongside calling for improvements to public transport and encouraging a shift to low emission vehicles.”

Lekau acknowledged there were “strong feelings” both in favour and against the traffic calming measures. “Local people agree that there is an issue and were supportive of the vision for improving the environment, with less through-traffic, and better air quality but had concerns about the proposals the council consulted on during phase two. Following what residents said, big changes have been proposed – including part-time closures and significantly extended exemptions.”

The council will “closely monitor” the impact of the measures and gather air quality, traffic and road safety data, and further changes can be made if necessary.

An equality impact assessment will be carried out during the trial to make sure that it does not discriminate or disadvantage any specific groups of people.

Acoalition of organisations is calling for the new Labour government to urgently legalise e-scooters and accelerate the move to greener transport.

In an open letter to transport secretary Louise Haigh and her ministers, they say a new legal status is the only way to resolve the problems caused by “entirely unregulated” privately-owned e-scooters being ridden on public roads.

The letter also argues that the move would provide the highly successful shared e-scooter trials in England with a long-term future, help the UK meet its net zero and air quality targets, improve public health and unlock investment. Any legislation will take time to come into effect, so the letter also calls for the expansion of existing shared e-scooter trials in the meantime, as well as the creation of new ones where local authorities and operators agree they are needed.

The intervention comes after the recent King’s Speech did not contain any proposed legislation in this area, despite the new Transport Secretary’s promise to “move fast and fix things”.

The letter was organised by Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK), the national charity for shared transport. It is signed by representatives from councils, transport groups, environmental campaigners and e-scooter scheme operators, showing the broad range of support for the measures.

The previous Conservative government committed to legalise e-scooters in May 2022, but since then progress has stalled. A series of trials of shared e-scooters in England have been repeatedly extended.

Figures gathered by CoMoUK show that the trials have been highly successful, with millions of users taking nearly 48 million trips since they began in July 2020.

Research by the charity has also shown that serious safety incidents are rare, with

The letter

Dear Secretary and Ministers of State,

Set the scooters free

Open letter calls for transport secretary to legalise e-scooters

only one accident for every 500,000 trips.

The open letter says e-scooters could be legalised through the creation of a new “low powered zero-emission vehicle class” which could also apply to other forms of transport. It says giving e-scooters legal status is “the only solution to the situation with private e-scooters, which are entirely unregulated and unlawful to ride on the public highway, but can be legally bought and are very often illegally ridden”.

It is currently illegal to ride e-scooters on public roads in the UK, but many unregulated vehicles are still in circulation, creating a negative perception of the vehicles. CoMoUK says the legalisation of e-scooters would create a standard set of technical specifications and safety standards that all such vehicles would have to comply with.

We the undersigned are writing to you to express the urgency of legislation to create a low-powered zero-emission vehicle class that would, among other devices, provide a legal status for e-scooters.

This is the only way to provide long-term certainty for the country’s highly successful shared e-scooter schemes. Despite the onerous requirement for users to hold a driving licence, these schemes have clocked up nearly 48 million trips since summer 2020 and all with an excellent safety record. Legislation would unlock further investment into low impact, low cost means of travel as the UK struggles to meet its net zero obligations, improve its public health and meet air quality targets.

It is also the only solution to the situation with private e-scooters, which are entirely unregulated and unlawful to ride on the public highway but can be legally bought and are very often illegally ridden. It would also open up valuable, appropriate future vehicle options which could be accommodated via secondary regulations, subject to a suitable process, with regards to disabled people and also to sustainable freight.

Any primary legislation takes time to come through the Houses of Parliament. So in the meantime we urge the government to give

The letter acknowledges that new legislation will take some time to work its way through parliament, calling on the government to expand shared e-scooter trials in the meantime.

The letter calls for the government to allow the trials to expand in response to local demand, with suppliers able to increase their fleet sizes and let them cover wider areas. Ministers should also allow new trial schemes to begin if there is support among local councils and operators, it adds.

Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said: “The new transport secretary, Louise Haigh, has told her department that she wants to ‘move fast and fix things’. We say: excellent, let’s start by expanding shared e-scooter trials and, ultimately, legalising e-scooters.”

greater flexibility to trials, for example by increasing fleet sizes and expanding service areas in response to demand. We would also like to see examination of putting new trial schemes in place where there is appetite from local authorities and operators. These more immediate steps are clear examples of the agenda to “move fast and fix things” which the Secretary of State has given priority to.

Signed Richard Dilks, chief executive, CoMoUK

Oliver Lord, UK head of the Clean Cities Campaign

Silviya Barrett, director of policy and campaigns, Campaign for Better Transport

Trevor Sterling, Moore Barlow LLP, chair of the major trauma group

Matt Finch, UK policy manager, Transport & Environment

Robert Evans, chief executive officer, Cenex

Hal Stevenson, director of policy for UK and Ireland, Lime Peader Golden, general manager, UK & Ireland, Tier

James Bolton, UK general manager, Voi

Jefferson FA Nwokeoma, assistant director, transport and parking, interim director of environmental services, London Borough of Hounslow

Banning e-bikes is unfair to disabled people

Charity asks public bodies to step back from parking bans, reports Deniz

Huseyin

Transport for London, NHS trusts and other public bodies planning to ban electric bicycles from being parked or used on their premises should consider the impact this would have on disabled people, warns Wheels for Wellbeing. The charity notes that insurers and landlords are also removing permission for e-cycles to be stored in homes. It points to research by government and fire services which found that fire risk in e-cycles and e-scooters largely arises from dangerously modified, damaged and often illegal devices.

Surveys by Wheels for Wellbeing found that disabled people who cycle are far more likely to use e-cycles than non-disabled people. “Anecdotally, reasons given are impairments that make cycling without e-assist impossible, excessively painful and/or excessively tiring,” the charity said. “Disabled people who identify cycling as their primary mode of transport and who are able to use unpowered cycles often use e-cycles because they do not find it feasible to make all the journeys they want or need to make without e-assistance.”

The cycling charity said: “Banning e-cycles from public spaces and services, as well as

from private homes via insurance and tenancy clauses, in response to a low risk of fire in legal, appropriately-used devices fails to account for the huge importance of e-cycles as mobility aids. Removing or restricting disabled people’s option to use safe, legal e-cycles for journeys will have a serious negative impact on disabled people’s mobility, health and access to employment, education and healthcare.”

The charity calls on the government to bring forward regulations to stop dangerous, illegal e-motorcycle kits, modification kits and lowquality, unsafe spare parts being imported into

the UK. “We call on government to address the exploitation of gig economy delivery riders, identified in government guidance as a highrisk user group for e-cycle fires,” it said.

A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson told Parking Review: “Our primary concern is always the safety of our customers and staff, and we continuously review our risk assessments and the controls we have in place to ensure our customers can travel safety. As part of this process, we continue to discuss the potential risks associated with the carriage of e-bikes on TfL services with stakeholders.”

Can tech change driver behaviour

Increased compliance with parking regulations is the holy grail for any enforcement operation.

With Egis’ Dispatch technology, you can target contraventions with pinpoint accuracy. The visual deterrent of ANPR scan cars and increased CEO productivity have transformed parking compliance rates in cities across Europe.

With detection more likely than ever, more motorists are paying for parking leading to higher revenue and turnover of spaces, less congestion, and smarter, more sustainable cities.

21 cities across UK & Europe 53% increase in PCNs issued* 13.3% compliant revenue increase*

Every day this time of year some 260,000 passengers go to or from Heathrow.

Half of those passengers use a vehicle – either their own car or a cab. A key part of the work of the Heathrow Area Transport Forum (HATF), which I chair, is to get all stakeholders to focus on providing more sustainable travel choices for passengers and staff. While rail (particularly the Elizabeth line), coach and bus work for many, vehicle-based travel (even with a drop-off charge in place) is the current choice for most.

Cabs generally wait for bookings. Due to the size and dispersed nature of the airport, parking facilities can be some distance from the terminals. Cabs come from a wide area – a recent local authority enforcement exercise found cabs from 74 different local authorities – even as far away as Scotland!

Black cabs have a dedicated area just north of the airport. This has good facilities and a queuing system that seems to work –cost £3. Minicabs are treated differently. Uber and Bolt drivers are ‘geo-fenced’ into the Authorised Vehicle Area (‘AVA’) – again to the north of the airport off the A4 Bath Road. Other taxis can use the area – cost £1 per hour.

However, cab drivers can and do park legally or otherwise in the surrounding areas. Heathrow is surrounded by some quite rural communities as well as areas of denser population to the west. Parking restrictions differ between the various local authorities and enforcement is, understandably, patchy. Drivers spot approaching traffic officers and simply move on before they can be caught. Facilities are few and far between.

Just to complicate the picture further, the rise of rogue meet & greet parking companies has led to increased vehicle movements, nose to tail parking on streets and dangerous driving.

So, inevitably, there is a lot of anti-social behaviour – urination and defecation, littering and idling in addition to the parking and vehicle movements generated. Local residents who challenge drivers are met sometimes with aggression. No local communities should have to put up with this problem which is common to all airports.

The Heathrow Area Transport Forum has pulled together all the stakeholders who are needed to sort this problem: Heathrow Airport, local authorities, the police, the British Parking Association, Transport for London and others.

I needed to understand this issue better. So, Dr Roger Green (chair of the Heathrow Airport Local Communities Forum) and I spent a day driving around seeing the problem for ourselves.

We saw ample evidence of the problems. Vehicles parked illegally or dangerously on all sorts of local roads. Litter. Long lines of closely parked vehicles – indicative of rogue parking? Lots of vehicle movements on roads unsuited for this level of traffic.

Ground traffic control

Improving facilities for minicabs at Heathrow will reduce anti-social parking in neighbourhoods near the airport, says Anthony Smith

The Heathrow Area Transport Forum brought together stakeholders to sort out the minicab parking problem Anthony Smith

But we also saw cab drivers visiting local stores and cafes – good for the local communities!

The black cab facility at the airport is good. The minicab Authorised Vehicle Area (AVA) is not so good – tired, grubby looking facilities. This is unlikely to attract anyone with a choice of where to go.

So far, we have made good progress. Heathrow Airport is, among other things, funding signs, a portal where local residents can log problems and enforcement officers. The police, both airport and the Metropolitan Police, are taking a more active interest in both rogue meet & greet operators, resulting in prosecutions, and illegal cab parking.

The British Parking Association has speedily drawn up a good-looking kite marking scheme so consumers can book meet & greet with confidence – this will launch soon with attendant publicity. Local authorities are being more active with Spelthorne Borough Council in the lead. Spelthorne has introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which could result in offending drivers who are seen parking illegally receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).

Heathrow has spruced up the AVA and will monitor its condition more frequently. Much more to do but a good start has been made. This issue will never go away. Cab drivers who maybe only make one journey to Heathrow a year are hard to reach with information about official parking areas. A cost for parking will deter many – cab drivers are understandably sensitive to cost. Until another AVA can be built nearer Terminal 4/5 distances will still be too great for some drivers. Enforcement cameras – the ideal solution – relating to parking issues are currently not legal –however, we will lobby the government to make an exception for the areas around Heathrow.

Data is hard to come by on this issue. Anecdotes, some unpleasant, drive the debate. However, we will continue working to disrupt this activity to a point where it becomes the exception rather than the norm. Local people deserve no less.

Anthony Smith is independent chair of the Heathrow Area Transport Forum

Cabs parked in residential streets around Heathrow

Entering the Authorised Vehicle Area

Driver facilities at the AVA

Richard Walker has started his year in office as the new president of the British Parking Association. Walker is the group manager of the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) and has long been involved in the BPA, serving as its council representative for local authorities as well as being an advocate for initiatives such as the Positive Parking Agenda and Park Active. He has been the recipient of several British Parking Awards.

Walker succeeded Stuart Harrison, chief strategy officer of Intelli-Park, at the association’s annual general meeting.

In terms of parking policy, Walker says he wants to drive up standards and will encourage the sector to adopt a coordinated approach to issues such as footway parking.

Walker also intends to highlight the importance of ensuring the safety of frontline staff. He said: “In the North Essex Parking Partnership, we run a large operation, with around 50 public-facing staff, plus those working in the back office and those doing technical roles, all of whom can face abuse. People are our most valuable asset and we need to look after them.

“I also want to build on the work around diversity on which both the BPA and NEPP have worked so hard, including supporting Women in Parking.”

In relation to the running of the BPA itself, Walker said: “Stuart’s focus was very much on ensuring implementation of the BPA’s strategic plan, so I am also going to ensure that continues to get the attention it needs. One way could be through setting up a past presidents’ alumni, to gain insight from this important group and maintain good governance processes for BPA.”

The BPA is a trade association that represents the interests of both public and private sector parking providers. Its membership has now passed the 800 mark.

Richard Walker sets out his vision

Had the BPA president’s Reception taken place on its original and intended date, my speech would have referenced the certainty of an upcoming general election. However, as we all now know, 4 July was selected as polling day by the then prime minister Rishi Sunak.

The results of opinion polls were confirmed by the exit polls, and the election results were confirmed as fact. Some upsets were witnessed, and the election of the erstwhile opposition into power, under Sir Keir Starmer – our new prime minister – means a different party is now in control.

The change in administration means a change in direction as manifesto pledges start to be put into policy. With a very large majority, I suspect it will not be too long before items that are referenced in the King’s Speech are put into legislation.

From a local authority perspective, we have been watching with interest. While there is little detail yet, the high-level

Mr President... ...Mr President

North Essex Parking Partnership’s Richard Walker starts starts his year as leader of the British Parking Association

A new world shaped by elections

information available so far seems to indicate a desire for greater devolution of powers, and a focus on developing transport polices. Notably, the initiatives mentioned by transport secretary Louise Haigh MP – including nationalisation of the railway operation, more franchised bus services and delivering greener transport –does seem to indicate a transportation policy shift, although the finer detail, including how any plans relate to parking, is still needed.

We have also recently been involved in our own association’s elections. Each June, the familiar cycle of polling begins again and, this year, we welcome new incumbents to the Council of Representatives. We also had elections to the board of directors. We recognise and thank those who have served on our boards and council for their hard work alongside busy jobs and lives. Their valued contribution has helped keep our association thriving and growing.

Richard Walker is president of the British Parking Association

A mission for Marrs

Former BPA president Mike Marrs, chief executive of PN Group, will be association’s new vice president for the next year.

“My previous tenure was during the COVID pandemic, so I didn’t get a proper run at it: there were no physical meetings, so I don’t feel I was able to do the role justice, because I wasn’t able to meet people. The most important part of being president is representing members and being a conduit between them and the BPA: as president, you are the voice of the people and you need to be out there, being seen and approachable. Teams meetings post-pandemic were not the same.

“The next year, as vice president, is about being the best support I can be to the president. I have great respect for Richard Walker – he is one of the oracles of the parking world in my eyes.

“More broadly speaking, we need to ensure that we represent the views of members on issues that are important – such as the Private Parking Code of Practice. The BPA groups, such as Women in Parking and Veterans in Parking, that gathered momentum during my first presidency –thanks to the hard work of some key members –are both close to my heart.

VP Mike Marrs and BPA president Richard Walker

Creative Car Park’s 2,000th site

Parking operator steps up rate of expansion

SME property sector

Creative Car Park has passed a major milestone, the opening of its 2,000th managed site. The company, which provides parking services for small-to-medium businesses, has added over 50 new car parks to its estate every month for the past year.

To put its expansion into perspective, the business opened its 1,000th car park in December 2019, after 14 years of operation. The total has now doubled in less than five years.

The 2,000th site is Ramsay Health Care Ashtead, a private hospital based in Surrey. The hospital contacted Creative Car Park in early 2024, to request help in reducing instances of unauthorised parking in its 100space car park.

The hospital’s aim was to increase space availability for employees and visitors, helping them be on time for their shifts and appointments. The solution

Creative Car Park CEO Stuart

Three

councils hire

APCOA to tackle street issues

The London boroughs of Ealing, Harrow and Hounslow have come together to sign a joint contract with APCOA to tackle problems such as littering and other envirocrime offences.

saw the introduction of authorised parking measures, enabled by intelligent ANPR technology, where employees are issued with parking permits and visitors just need to validate free parking by entering their vehicle registration number on a touchscreen tablet or via a QR code.

To celebrate the 2,000th site, Creative Car Park has donated £2,000 to charity on behalf of Ramsay Health Care Ashtead. The hospital chose to award the money to SeeAbility, a local char-

Interogo acquires stake in Q-Park

Interogo Holding has acquired a 12.25% stake in Q-Park.

Interogo has made the acquisition via its infrastructure investment fund Inter Infrastructure Capital. It has acquired the stake from Q-Park’s existing shareholders, including KKR, which will remain the majority shareholder.

KKR initially invested in Q-Park in 2017 through its infrastructure investment fund KKR Global Infrastructure Investors II, to support the parking company’s digital transformation and the expansion of its EV charging infrastructure.

Q-Park reported underlying EBITDA of €231m in 2023.

Q-Park is a leading European parking infrastructure owner and operator, with a large and diversified portfolio of 4,300 owned, leased and managed parking facilities in The Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Denmark and Ireland.

Frank De Moor, chief executive of Q-Park, said: “ As Q-Park continues to benefit from structural megatrends as an energy transition enabler for urban mobility, Interogo Holding’s commitment to sustainability and long-term value

creation provides us with the ideal partner to support our strategy going forward.”

IH Infrastructure Advisors is the infrastructure investment team of Interogo Holding. Constantin DogosDocovitch, head of infrastructure at Interogo Holding, said: “Q-Park is a high-quality parking infrastructure platform with a strong-track record of growth and operational excellence. We are excited about the positive role it plays in urban mobility and energy transition. Frank and his team have achieved excellent results, demonstrating the resilience and long-term growth potential of the business.”

Vincent Policard, partner and cohead of European infrastructure at KKR, said: “Under Frank’s leadership, Q-Park reached record high performance in 2023 and is wellpositioned to benefit from attractive long-term growth trends. We are proud of what we have been able to achieve together over the past seven years and look forward to continuing to support the company in realising its strategy and growth plans, including the accelerated growth of its digital and EV charging offerings.”

ity that helps people with learning disabilities, who may also have sight loss – which ties to the hospital’s provision of specialist eye care.

Creative Car Park chief executive Stuart Cummings said: “I am extremely proud to have reached this significant milestone in our history. It has been a dynamic and exciting time for the business over the past few years, as we pursue our expansion plans and continue to grow our business.”

The new arrangement with APCOA came into force on 1 July. The contract sees APCOA environmental enforcement officers (EEOs) patrolling streets, town centres, parks and open spaces. The patrols support the councils in proactively responding to known environmental problems.

The EEOs report and arrange clearance of incidents of flytipping, prevent cases of littering and dog fouling, and issue on-thespot fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to offenders where necessary.

Kim Challis, regional managing director (UK&I) at APCOA, said: “We are pleased to be working now with Ealing, Harrow and Hounslow, using our extensive experience in environmental enforcement to help tackle antisocial problems.”

We currently supply and have vacancies around the UK for Permanent and Temporary positions:

• Civil Enforcement Ofﬁcers

• Environmental Enforcement Ofﬁcers

• Parking Back Ofﬁce (Appeals/Notice Processing/Correspondence)

• Parking Change Management

• Interim Parking Managers

• Car Park Attendants/Marshalls/Stewarding

• Parking Supervisors (Both Enforcement and Back Ofﬁce)

• Parking Management (Both Enforcement and Back Ofﬁce)

• Heads of Parking/Directors

• Parking Technologies (Business Development and Project Managers/ Field Service Engineers/General Managers)

• Off Street Parking (Business Development, Contract Managers and Regional Managers)

• CCTV Operators – SIA and BTEC qualiﬁed

Looking for staff or need employment? Please contact our experienced team on:

Tel: 0203 668 5680

Email: parking@unity-recruitment.co.uk

Web: www.unity-recruitment.co.uk

Cummings (meeting with Nick Stevens, manager at Ramsay Health Care Ashtead Hospital

Showcasing excellence, celebrating success

Supported by Friday 13 September, Royal Lancaster London

Organised by

This has someone’s name on it…will it be yours?

Th e v o t e s a r e i n !

The judges have deliberated, cogitated and digested… now, it’s time to meet the finalists

The British Parking Awards were created in 2002 by Parking Review to recognise excellence and achievement in a sector providing what is an essential public service.

This year we received a record tally of 140 entries from across the public and private parking sectors, often working together. Our jury of independent-minded experts have read, assessed, compared and debated the entries to select the finalists.

The winners will be revealed during a gala lunch held at the Royal Lancaster London on 13 September. The awards ceremony will be hosted by the comedian and quizzer Paul Sinha, one of the stars of ITV’s The Chase He will be ably assisted by Roger Tilling, the voice of University Challenge and many other TV shows.

The competitive categories recognise inspiring individuals, dedicated teams and partnerships, groundbreaking technologies, effective communication, community engagement, and excellent car park structures. This year the Parking Rosettes strand focusses on two themes that showcase the positive and progressive aspects of parking in the form of a Connected Vehicles Award and the Accessible Parking Award. The competition continues to reflect the way in which the sector is evolving, as seen in the EVolution Award dedicated to electric vehicle infrastructure.

Mark Moran is editor of Parking Review magazine and co-founder of the annual British Parking Awards

The finalists

Parking Person of the Year

Rising Star Award

Parking Team of the Year

Parking Technology Award

BRITISH PARKING AWARDS 2024

The finalists

Special awards

A trio of trophies presented to people and projects that have made a real difference and positive contribution to the world of parking. The recipients will be selected by the jury from either the field of entries or wider parking sector.

MiPermit Inspiration Award

Presented by: MiPermit

The MiPermit Inspiration Award recognises individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to improving parking. Inspiration Award recipients are exemplars of excellent practice that have inspired colleagues, clients and the wider parking community.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Sponsored by: The British Parking Association

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to a parking professional who has made an outstanding contribution to the sector over the course of their career. Parking organisations and professionals are invited to nominate an individual who has consistently made an outstanding contribution to the industry and represents a 'model of excellence' across their entire career.

Special Jury Award

Presented by: Parking Review

The Special Jury Award is presented to a scheme, project or person that has particularly impressed the British Parking Awards jury, which is a panel of experts drawn from across the parking, automotive, transport and related sectors.

Rosette trophies

Special awards reflecting topical themes in the world of parking.

Connected Vehicles Award

Accessible Parking Award

The Accessible Parking Award recognises work done to provide accessible parking and to ensure such spaces are not misused.

Hackney Council – Accessible parking and beyond London Borough of Haringey – ‘Our badge, our spot’ Transport Scotland and Imperial – Blue Badge exemptions scheme for Low Emission Zones across Scotland

The Front Line Award

Parking Operator of the Year

Communication Award

Parking in the Community Award

Sponsored by: The International Parking Community Parking is an essential service and can be a positive contributor to local communities. The Parking in the Community Award recognises people working within the parking sector who have engaged with and supported their local communities.

London Borough of Waltham Forest – Empowering the community through virtual parking solutions

Marston Holdings – NSL Brighton & Hove parking enforcement team

Marston Holdings – NSL Edinburgh and Social Bite

Marston Holdings – NSL Manchester

PayByPhone – Donate Your Device scheme

NEW: Better Streets Award

This breakout award brings together a set of submissions which set out ways in which traffic and parking teams have developed policies and programmes which improve the street-scene, access to the kerbside and environment in urban areas.

City of Edinburgh Council, Project Centre and NSL – A collaborative approach to tackling pavement parking

Hackney Council – Joint venture to tackle stolen vehicles, cloned vehicles, abandoned vehicles, untaxed vehicles and Blue Badge fraud

Lambeth Council – Cycle Hangar Manifesto

Lambeth Council – School Streets expansion programme

Medway Council and Marston Holdings – Safer Healthier Streets

Project

The finalists

The Back Office Award

Best New Car Park

EVolution Award 2024

The parking sector is playing a key role in the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

The EV Charging Award

Headline sponsor

Supporter

Category sponsors

The retailers’ shopping list

The Federation of Small Businesses sets out a vision to support the UK’s high streets

Innovative thinking could improve life for small firms on UK high streets, says the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). In a new report the FSB sets out a plan to transform town centres into places that meet future needs and support the next generation of entrepreneurs. The Future of the High Street report reveals a range of statistics painting a picture of life on the high street, from business rates and parking, to vacant units and transport. The FSB is calling for a specialised fund to be created to support pop-ups, markets, and temporary use initiatives for first-time businesses to encourage new ventures and help them set up on the high street.

With more than a third (39%) of high street small businesses saying the availability of affordable commercial space is important for the future of an area, ensuring temporary spaces are available will not only fill vacant sites but also provide opportunities for small firms eager to launch in a physical premises.

The report, which features in-depth analysis following a largescale survey of small businesses, also suggests a specialised fund to support a mobile phone-based loyalty programme for high street firms, and launching community-specific online marketplaces to showcase local shops and services.

To bring in visitors and increase footfall, local high streets should be featured in domestic and international tourism campaigns. The FSB is encouraging tourism groups like VisitBritain, VisitEngland and Local Visitor Economy Partnerships to showcase the unique character and offerings of local high streets across the UK in promotions and to coordinate campaigns.

The research also found:

• Plummeting consumer spending (70%), falling footfall (47%) and crime or anti-social behaviour (47%) are the biggest risks to high streets according to the small firms based on them.

• Over half of local businesses (57%) say a diverse range of independent businesses is one of the most important features for the long-term sustainability and future of their local high street.

• Good transport links are also key for the future of the high street, according to almost half (43%) of small businesses based on them.

• Around half (49%) of high street small businesses say parking facilities are managed poorly on their local high street.

• Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, most local businesses saw a range of closures on their local high street, including: retail stores (72%), hospitality (69%), banks (58%), post offices (28%), and entertainment venues (20%).

According to the report, empty units are a major blight on shopping streets across the UK, with more than two thirds (69%) of local businesses reporting them on their nearby high street.

The FSB is asking for a band of on-site high street chiefs responsible for the growth and wellbeing of high streets across the country, creating promotion plans and monitoring vacant units within their area. The research also highlights the need for well-maintained and accessible modern public toilets and familyfriendly services like creche facilities, encouraging visitors to stay longer, upping footfall and supporting the local economy.

Business rates remain a huge burden on high street small businesses, says the FSB. The current Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) is a key part of their survival. Almost half (49%) of high street small businesses say they would not survive without SBRR.

The research also found that more than half (54%) of high street small businesses would invest in or grow their businesses if the SBRR threshold was increased from £12,000 of rateable value to £25,000. The FSB believes this increase would be a crucial step in allowing small firms to further foster growth.

The Future of the High Street calls for a ‘High Street Hop’ scheme providing free bus fares on key routes during peak shopping days to help increase footfall and support local businesses.

Offering free parking on at least two Saturdays, plus two additional days a month, would increase footfall and support local businesses by making high streets more accessible.

Tina McKenzie, policy and advocacy chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Our small businesses are an integral part of the high street and will be central in leading the transformation of their local economies. By providing the infrastructure, flexibility and digital connectivity that modern businesses demand, high streets will have the resources available to become resilient, dynamic hubs ready for the future.

“As well as core recommendations targeting fundamental issues for small firms on the high street, including business rates, transport and parking, this report also lays out innovative asks to ensure these businesses can survive into the future and ultimately help revive our town centres. High streets must be helped to evolve to keep pace with changes in consumer behaviour as well as how small firms want to work. One example of this is introducing loyalty schemes for high streets to encourage local businesses to collaborate and incentivise consumers to shop, eat, and drink locally.

“It’s been exciting to hear from many online small firms that want to take steps to open up in a bricks and mortar premises on the high street. These businesses need support to make that change – and should be given the flexibility to access pop-up and temporary units. Before the General Election, we were pleased to see Labour’s emphasis on improving life on the high street for small firms. It’s now time for the new government as well as local authorities to put these plans into action and ensure that small firms on our high streets are fully supported.”

Views from the High Street

Gennaro Borrelli, Gennaro Organic Hair & Beauty, Bedfordshire

“Honestly, parking in our town centre has become a real nightmare, even more so than before. I mean, you better make sure you’ve got a handful of change jingling in your pocket, because you’re going to need at least a fiver, or six quid just to park for a couple of hours! It’s crazy. Back in the day, popping down to the high street for a bit of shopping used to be a regular thing, you know? You’d just go on a whim, no big deal. But now, it’s turned into this whole frustrating rigmarole. You’re circling around, hunting for a space, getting more and more wound up. And then when you finally do find a spot, the cost of parking just adds insult to injury. It’s no wonder people are thinking twice about coming into town for their shopping these days.”

Tony Goodman, Systems Consulting, Warwickshire

“I think a lot of councils have the whole parking thing completely wrong where they just see it as another income source, when, in fact, it’s a real way of attracting people, in which the big out of town shopping centres have the advantage.”

David Clare, Exposed Design Consultants, London

“The parking situation in our town centre is just ridiculous. It’s like they’ve got no mercy when it comes to the charges. I mean, zero time, zero allowance – you so much as blink, and you’re already racking up the fees. But that’s not even the whole story. Just a stone’s throw away, maybe a mile or so, we’ve got these massive shopping centres and retail parks popping up and they’ve got free parking. Why would anyone bother coming into town, dealing with the stress of finding a spot, and spending just to park, when they can pop over to the retail park and park for free?”

Getting to town

Local public transport is key to making high streets accessible, says the Federation of Small Businesses

Views are split on the delivery of public transportation access and services with over a third (37%) of local businesses saying it is delivered well, and over a third (34%) saying they believe it is delivered poorly. Regional differences are stark with 65 per cent of local small businesses in London saying public transportation is well provided, this compares with only 28 per cent in the South West or West Midlands.

Bus statistics for Great Britain show that average bus fare prices increased on average 4.3 per cent year-on-year from 2012 to 2022, significantly higher than Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures in that period. This is also combined with inconsistent increases year-onyear of per journey costs and per vehicle mile costs, which have outstripped wider inflation from 2019 to 2022.

Previous Federation of Small Businesses research shows that efficient access to public transport is key to a potential change in their transport habits. Over a third (35%) of small businesses had not changed their transport behaviour because public transport was inefficient or unavailable. There are also indications that the barriers to public transport use are higher depending on the type of location businesses operate within, seven per cent of small businesses in rural areas had started to use public transport more often compared with 13% of urban small businesses.

Lower costs and increased provision make for better connectivity to the local high street. The UK government’s Bus Back Better national bus strategy for England rightly acknowledges the footfall and levelling up benefits that properly run local bus services can have. It is key that Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) develop detailed short-term and long-term plans for bus routes, frequency and design. This would ensure that small businesses on the high street are properly supplied, their employees can easily commute, and their customers perceive their high street as convenient, simple and cheap to visit on buses and other public transport.

Recommendations

Local authorities should introduce a ‘High Street Hop’ scheme, providing free bus fares on key routes through high streets during peak shopping days to boost footfall and support local businesses. The scheme could also include free fares for high street employees, helping to support the local workforce. By removing the financial barrier of bus fares and incentivising people to visit high streets using public transport and to drive overall footfall to high streets and town centres.

Local authorities should also develop and implement comprehensive scooter, cycling and healthy travel access plans, along with improved parking strategies for each, tailored specifically to high streets. These plans should recognise the importance of healthy travel options for both local residents and tourists and aim to reduce congestion and improve air quality around high streets by encouraging the use of alternative transportation methods. The initiative should include the provision of safe and tidy storage facilities for bicycles and scooters, which can quickly dominate high streets with restaurants providing delivery services via third parties.

Each of these parking bays should also include charging points for electric-powered vehicles and accommodation for bicycle trailers. These plans should be designed to integrate seamlessly with existing local public transport networks, such as buses, trams, and trains, as well as car parking access points.

Extract from The Future of the High Street

Spaces that work for places

The Future of the High Street report calls for parking policies that support local retailers and shoppers

Parking availability significantly influences high street accessibility, affecting residents, workers, shoppers, and service deliveries. Effective parking strategies are pivotal in urban retail area policy and planning to maintain or enhance accessibility. The provision of ample, convenient, and affordable parking is frequently cited as a key determinant in high street selection. The FSB’s 2022 research with Public First showed that 38% of the UK public said more accessible or cheaper parking would most encourage them to visit businesses on their local high street. Public opinion research has shown that the placement and design of parking areas are critical. Some consumers are simply put off by parking charges and often choose to use out-of-town shopping centres or retail parks as the parking is free.

FSB research shows around half (49%) of high street small businesses say parking facilities are managed poorly in relation to their local high street. Fifty per cent of high street small businesses in Scotland say parking is managed poorly.

The main impact of car parking for the short-term viability of the high street is the convenience and cost for the consumer, however this depends heavily on the local economy and physical characteristics of the high street in question. It is difficult to quantitatively build a robust relationship between footfall and parking availability.

To optimise footfall on UK high streets customer convenience is paramount, necessitating the provision of free or low-cost parking. Strategic parking pricing is crucial as it serves as an incentive for visitors, potentially increasing the volume of customers who choose the high street as their shopping destination. This approach is not just about accessibility; it’s also about making the high street more attractive for shoppers who may otherwise opt for out-of-town retail parks with ample free parking.

There is a widespread perception that local authorities are treating parking as a revenue-raising exercise for councils. Recent analysis shows that parking income for councils has soared in 2022/23 to almost £1bn from £318m in the previous year. The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 states that councils in England can only use parking revenues for parking and other related local transport maintenance purposes and cannot raise parking revenues towards the General Fund by other purposes. Parking fees should be lower; any investment using these funds should be used to ensure these costs are lower in the future, and investment should go towards increasing better access to the high street.

Outside of councils’ control are the rise of private parking facilitation and the inconsistencies in price levels and when navigating their apps, websites, and payment rules. Since the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 received Royal Assent in March 2019, the FSB’s previous high streets report Streets Ahead called for the expedited release of a comprehensive Private Parking Code of Practice, but this has since stalled.

The government has since published a call for evidence, though at the time of writing it remains unclear when a new and updated Code will be introduced. It is vital that the Code considers the impact in the long-term on high streets and town centres which depend on shoppers being able to access them cheaply and conveniently.

Parking policies must allow for seamless access to the high street without congesting it, thus maintaining a fluid and enjoyable shopping experience. The spatial layout should encourage longer stays, allowing customers to explore and patronise multiple businesses without the rush induced by prohibitive parking costs or restrictions. Achieving this equilibrium between vehicle accessibility and pedestrian-friendly spaces is essential for a bustling, yet relaxed high street atmosphere that appeals to visitors and supports local businesses.

Extract from The Future of the High Street

Parking for the High Street

The Federation of Small Businesses sets out actions to be taken by government and local authorities

The UK government should:

• Mandate that all public parking fees do not increase higher each year than the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) and complete the update to the Private Parking Code of Practice by 2025 to deliver fairer private parking charges. This measure will deliver a fair, transparent, and economically aligned approach to private parking charges, providing consistency and predictability for consumers and businesses utilising these facilities.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government should:

• Create comprehensive high street car parking plans with a new national target for the number of EV charging stations in high street areas in cities, towns and rural communities. This should focus on the development of unobtrusive off-street parking facilities and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This strategy should include tracking current needs and future investments, enhancing accessibility while supporting sustainable transportation goals.

• Grant local authorities access to a dedicated fund, provided by the national government, designed to balance parking charges between retail parks and nearby high streets or town centres. Relying on a Key High Street database to identify need, and also submissions from local authorities for funding. This fund would be available to areas where a retail park is located within three miles (or further in rural areas) of a designated important high street or town centre, ensuring equitable parking costs and encouraging foot traffic to support local businesses in these vital commercial areas.

Local authorities should:

• Introduce a policy providing free parking on at least two Saturdays per month and at least two additional days each month capitalising on high footfall and considering local commuter patterns, major events, festivals, and holidays in high street areas. This initiative aims to boost footfall and support local businesses by making high streets more accessible and attractive to visitors during these critical times.

• Design traffic management zones which have demonstrable support from local businesses and communities with clear purpose and which avoid harm to business delivery routes and emergency vehicle access. Low traffic schemes are often an important opportunity to reduce air pollution and congestion around high streets, creating a more open, safe, and inviting atmosphere that benefits both businesses and visitors. The schemes should include meaningful consultation with small businesses, local communities and co-designed with businesses and emergency services to ensure unobstructed access. Creation of these zones should emphasise the importance of maintaining clear delivery routes for high street businesses and protecting customer footfall as integral components of any traffic management plan.

AI is an engine of progress

Data and technology will improve urban traffic and parking operations in the UK, says Suzanne Varney

I have witnessed at close quarters the speed at which parking technology has moved over the past few years. However, there is still a huge amount of change to come, mostly relating to data usage and management, with technology, specifically Artificial Intelligence (AI), playing a very important role.

A recent study suggested that the average UK driver spends about 44 hours a year looking for a parking space which amounts to about 106 days. Also, drivers will incur, on average, at least one PCN a year living in an inner city which is approximately £3,770 worth of parking fines. These statistics take on a worrying meaning when we consider that they cost the UK economy about £23.3 billion a year in wasted time, increased pollution, and economic inefficiency.

Digitisation, smart parking solutions and dynamic kerb management have all played a significant role in tackling these problems. Just this year the DVLA, whose data has

historically been hard to access, made a commitment to a “Data Science Function” which will help to improve the services they offer, and how they work with parking professionals.

The parking sector will be able to leverage that support to advance combatting fraud, decarbonisation technology and the wider environmental agenda.

Trellint offers tech-led enforcement harnessing all the available technology, often developing innovative ways to use it. The potential for how we use new AI technology in ANPR cameras is only just becoming clear to us and other specialists in the sector. AI simulates human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think, problem solve and learn like humans. With processing and capture, it is more accurate than the average human being with parameters we set. It is also more adaptable, has potential for scalability with investment and is more efficient as it doesn’t need the holiday or sick leave that humans do.

There are five fundamentals in how the matrix of AI in ANPR works:

1. The algorithm – This is the core engine of AI in an ANPR camera. It does what we tell it to do, processing raw data, removing noise, adjusting brightness and focusing on the contrast plate image.

2. Training – In order to make AI successful and accurate it needs to be trained. Deep learning models focusing on large data sets allow the AI engine to identify variation, thereby adapting from mistakes and successes.

3. Testing – Repetitive and constant testing, feeding the engine with new data, changes and ‘work arounds’ is essential, particularly for plate images and enforcement applied to VRMs that use an unusual font for example.

4. CNN or Convolutional Neural Network – This element of AI ANPR capture gives the ability to recognise and process behavioural patterns created by the data itself.

5. OCR or Optical Character Recognition – This allows for the recognition and interpretation of alphanumeric characters on VRMs.

Suzanne Varney speaking at Enforcement Excellence

Accurate Adaptable Scalable Efficient

AI is a simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think, problem solve and learn like humans.

So what does it do reliably?

AI’s potential to revolutionise surveillance

Integrating data, technology and human capabilities will revolutionise surveillance as we currently know it.

If we consider how it might impact environmental monitoring, it could be worth rewarding drivers of low emission vehicles with benefits such as reduced tolls or preferential parking options. There could also be ways to use air quality sensors to manage high emission vehicles, applying penalties or notifying drivers of required maintenance.

Where there are access control and security requirements for VIPs for example, capture from ANPR can help plan safe routes and then manage entry to restricted areas in residential, commercial or industrial sites.

Machine learning algorithms can process video footage from cameras to identify parking violations automatically. This not only improves enforcement efficiency but also reduces the need for human intervention, freeing up resources for other tasks.

Other applications for AI could include: customised advertising placement using data captured and then analysed by the algorithm; dynamic road pricing based on real-time traffic data to manage and reduce traffic congestion; or driving patterns analysed to predict and mitigate potential traffic incidents while identifying dangerous driving behaviours.

These are just some of the exciting ways that AI could impact parking and enforcement over the coming months and years, but while there is a huge amount of data available already, there are other areas we will, as custodians of the sector, need to address.

Future considerations

An ‘Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights’ should exist to ensure ethical pathways to forthcoming innovation, but what that might consist of and who will govern it would need to be decided. Whoever it is would need to be able to keep up with the incredible pace of tech progress we are seeing.

Data security and storage could present serious challenges due to the sheer volume of data involved, and AI would certainly need to be trained so that it counters any discrimination or bias that might emerge.

The integration of advanced parking technology and AI offers promising solutions to the challenges of urban mobility. By optimising kerbside usage, improving parking efficiency, and leveraging AI for data-driven decisionmaking, cities can reduce congestion, lower emissions, and create more liveable urban environments.

However, clear protocols for data handling and data protection must be in place, and if you ask AI itself about trust it says that ‘trust should be earned through transparency, reliability, ethical considerations and appropriate use’.

‘Earned’ is a humanistic term and I would question its appropriateness in this context, so while AI is without doubt going to become an important and powerful tool, I would urge caution in terms of trust.

Suzanne Varney is director of technology and product development at Trellint

Delivering accessible justice

Caroline Hamilton, chief adjudicator of the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, has published her annual report for the operating year 202324. The report provides details of the work of the independent impartial adjudicators, who are charged with determining parking and traffic civil penalty appeals.

Acknowledging our responsibility to provide timely, open and userfriendly access to justice, as well as our shared aim to improve the efficiency and cost efficiency of the administration of justice, the adjudicators are pleased to present our 2023–2024 annual report to the PATROL Joint Committee.

It has been another busy and productive year at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. With more council authorities electing to enforce moving traffic contraventions by way of a civil penalty and Clean Air Zones having expanded further,

Key cases website

Caroline Hamilton discusses the new Traff-iCase service

The Traffic Penalty Tribunal launched ‘key cases’ website, Traff-iCase in March 2024. The overriding objective of civil enforcement of traffic management measures is to achieve compliance, but compliance can only be realised when there is a clear understanding of requirements and responsibilities. A large number of contraventions reaching appeal arise through error or misunderstanding, rather than the result of an intentional breach.

our case numbers have in turn increased. Despite the expansion to our jurisdictions, in line with our published 2022–2023 aims the dedicated independent expert adjudicators and case support teams have continued to work together, providing efficient and effective access to justice to our users, with timely and proportionate resolutions to appeals.

Appraisal

Adjudicators who were cross-deployed from London Tribunals, having now been in post at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal for a year, took part in their first appraisal. This provided an opportunity for adjudicators to discuss their work, ensuring that the tribunal’s own automated appeal system was being used optimally and our case management processes uniformly applied. This year, to maintain the same high standards and to allow for a consistent application of the law and regulations, the exercise was undertaken jointly with the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators at London Tribunals.

Further frustration can be caused when the appellant motorist (who is generally not legally represented at the Tribunal) does not accept or endorse the limitations of the statutory appeal process. The aim of the Traff-iCase site is to provide clear and accessible information regarding the law and regulations, clarifying issues that frequently confuse or perplex motorists. The site publishes key cases from the various independent adjudicating bodies for civil traffic appeals in one place for the first time. This user-friendly, ‘onestop’ website allows all tribunal users to benefit from consistent information, based on case outcomes, putting an end to appeals that are pursued as a result of

Training

The adjudicators took part in a training conference in Cardiff in November 2023. Training events allow the independent, impartial adjudicators (who all work independently and remotely) to meet and share experiences, as well as to confirm best practices. The training meeting is also an opportunity to discuss appeals generally, with a focus on interpretation of the law and regulations, ensuring that we all work cohesively with consistent application.

This year, in furtherance of our commitment to mirror the ‘One Judiciary’ project that encourages and supports the exchange of experience and expertise between jurisdictions, we were pleased to be joined by chief adjudicator Anthony Chan from London Tribunals and Judge Alexander Green, the Chamber President of the General Regulatory Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.

Traffic Penalty Tribunal

The Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT) decides motorists’ appeals against penalty charge notices (PCNs), issued by local authorities and charging authorities in England (outside London) and Wales, for traffic contraventions.

This includes appeals against PCNs issued by over 300 local authorities in England and Wales for parking, bus lane and moving traffic contraventions, as well as for Clean Air Zones and littering from vehicles (England only). The TPT also decides appeals against penalties from other road user charging schemes in England, including the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing (‘Dart Charge’) and the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee Bridge Crossings (‘Merseyflow’).

Appeals to the TPT are decided by 24 parttime adjudicators, together with the chief adjudicator, Caroline Hamilton. All the adjudicators are wholly independent lawyers, whose appointments are subject to the Lord Chancellor’s consent. They are supported by a team of administrative staff.

www.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk

mistaken or out-of-date beliefs, gleaned from inaccurate, if well-meaning, content; for example, published by newspapers or appearing on online forums.

The site is designed to evolve and reflect current law, with the aim of providing an up-to-date analysis of case law and regulations in straightforward terms, allowing all users to have a better understanding of civil traffic regulations, enforcement and appeals. To this end, the Traff-iCase site includes a comprehensive, interactive library of legislation and regulations, as well as a repository of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). www.keycases.info

Traffic Penalty Tribunal 2023/24

Annual Report 2023–24

The individual appeal types (parking, bus lane, moving traffic, Clean Air Zones, road user charging and littering from vehicles) had the following numbers and outcomes (previous year shown in brackets).

Creating connected places

Mobility Hubs 2024 brought together experts in transport, planning, parking management and urban design

Mobility hubs are spaces where public, shared and active travel modes are co-located alongside improvements to the public realm. They enable travellers to make smooth and safe transfers between different modes, swapping private cars for shared vehicles, bikes, buses, trains, scooters or walking. The good news is that local authorities, passenger transport operators, property developers, parking companies, mobility services providers and logistics companies are all embracing the mobility hub concept.

Landor LINKS’s annual Mobility Hubs conference has created a space in which these different groups can connect and share ideas. The third edition, held in Birmingham on 11 July, saw speakers and expert panels discuss the design, implementation and operation of mobility, electric vehicle and service hubs.

The day began with Trevor Brennan, project lead at England’s Economic Heartland, looking at the role mobility hubs can play in transport policy. Robin Tyne, project manager at CoMoUK, then explored the range of services that can be provided at mobility hubs, including a new breed of ‘pop-up’ hubs.

Henry Norman, delivery manager at Sustrans, shared the ways in which community hubs can encourage people to become healthier and better connected by taking up walking and cycling.

Kate Gifford, head of future mobility at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, provided insights into how mobility hubs can add an extra dimension to existing passenger transport networks.

How to build a mobility hub

Since the first edition of Mobility Hubs in 2022, projects have moved from being concept sketches into the real world. Delivering hubs draws together the skills of planners, engineers and architects as well as public transport and mobility service providers.

West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is developing a mobility hub network in the Bristol area. Amanda Edmondson,

WECA’s mobility hubs project manager, and Lidia Derossi, principal engineer at AECOM, set out how the sites have been selected and the creative work going into designing the hubs.

Robert Davis, sustainable travel manager at Trueform provided an essential guide to fitting out mobility hubs with user-friendly and aesthetically-friendly cycle parking, wayfinding and shelters.

Dan Gullock, director of architect FATKIN, shared examples of how multi-storey car parks can be reimagined as mobility hubs that will help meet environmental and sustainability targets.

Mobility hubs will play a vital role in delivering sustainable developments, said Elizabeth Orchard, strategic land technical director at Endelevu working for Ptarmigan Land. She implored attendees to include mobility hubs at the outset of development schemes. She also flagged up how hubs generate valuable data.

Providing connected services

Commercial parking operators are thinking about how city centre sites can be reimagined as mobility hubs. John Denton, Q-Park’s head of commercial UK&I, and Marcel Laeven, sustainable mobility programme manager from Q-Park International, talked about how their company is providing space for bike and scooter hire, shared car clubs and electric vehicle chargepoints, last mile deliveries, ‘click & collect’ lockers and cafés.

Mobility hubs bring a range of new travel choices and social interaction, but like the rest of the high street, these activities also need servicing. Laura Jacklin, commercial development manager of Grid Smarter Cities, looked at how to use digital permits to manage competing demands for access to town centre kerbside.

The day concluded with Anjna Patel MBE, chair British Parking Association, steering a discussion on how mobility hubs will evolve. Mobility hub pioneer John Austin, public transport manager at Southend-on-Sea City Council and Aoife Dudley, principal transport planner at City Science, joined the day’s speakers to imagine how to develop schemes that are both commercially and environmentally sustainable

Landor LINKS is planning Mobility Hubs 2025

To find out more email Jason Conboy on jason@landor.co.uk www.mobilityhubs.uk

John Denton, Robert Davis, John Austin and Laura Jacklin

Henry Norman, Sustrans

Robin Tyne, CoMoUK

Elizabeth Orchard, Endelevu

Amanda Edmondson and Lidia Derossi

Robert Davis, Trueform

John Denton, Q-Park

Trevor Brennan, EEH

Aoife Dudley, City Science

Marcel Laeven of Q-Park

Fatkin’s Dan Gullock and PCH-a’s Polly Church

England’s Economic Heartland has developed guidance on building business plans for mobility hubs with support from CoMoUK

Enter the mobility hub...

Mobility hubs are visible, safe and accessible places where public, shared and active travel modes are co-located, says Trevor Brennan of England’s Economic Heartland

Mobility hubs will play a pivotal role in creating a connected, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation network, says England’s Economic Heartland (EEH), the sub-national transport body for the region stretching from Swindon across to Cambridgeshire and from Northamptonshire down to Hertfordshire. EEH advises the government on the transport infrastructure, services and policy framework which will realise the region’s economic potential while supporting the journey to net zero.

In 2023 the organisation published in-depth guidance on how to develop business cases for mobility hubs, particularly in more rural areas. EEH’s guidance supports local authorities in the region – and across the country – as they plan visible, safe, and accessible spaces where public, shared and active travel modes are co-located.

The guidance was developed with support from shared mobility charity CoMoUK and input from EEH’s partner authorities at Milton Keynes Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire County Council. It provides practical advice on developing the strategic, economic and financial cases for mobility hubs, including consideration of optioneering, appraisal and logic mapping. The guidance, which received positive feedback from the Department for Transport, is framed by three scenarios in which mobility hubs could be created – rural village, rural station and a peri-urban environment.

To complement the Mobility Hubs Business Case Guidance, EEH is developing a Mobility Hubs Strategic Location Tool.

Trevor Brennan is transport implementation lead at England’s Economic Heartland. Speaking at Mobility Hubs 2024, he said: “Today we have more ways to get around our towns and cities, and rural hinterlands to a lesser degree, than ever before – from bike sharing to e-scooters, car-sharing to on-demand services. But the many benefits of this expanding menu of options can only be realised if they are integrated into a coherent network of efficient transportation options that let people get where they need to go, using whatever mode

makes the most sense and at any particular trip, time or journey purpose. Enter the mobility hub, a place where people can seamlessly connect with multiple modes of transportation in a safe, comfortable, and accessible environment.”

Mobility hubs provide physical integration among modes, with their physical presence and clear, prominent branding, these spaces offer visibility to and connection between public transport and shared mobility services that in turn support multi-modal living and reduced dependence on single occupancy car use.

“A mobility hub can mean many different things to many different audiences,” Brennan said. “Mobility hubs are highly visible, safe and accessible spaces where public, shared and active travel modes are colocated alongside improvements to public realm and where relevant enhanced community facilities can be found. Mobility hubs hold immense promise. However, overcoming these challenges requires strategic planning, collaboration, and adaptability.”

Brennan says EEH local transport authorities (LTAs) are looking at ways of increasing awareness and usage of mobility hubs, both when they are under development and once opened:

• Education: Educating the public about the benefits of mobility hubs is essential. Awareness campaigns can highlight the convenience, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness of using these services.

• Locations: Placing mobility hubs in high-traffic areas, near transit stations, and within residential or commercial zones increases visibility and accessibility.

• User-friendly design: Well-designed hubs with clear signage, user-friendly interfaces, and comfortable waiting areas encourage usage.

• Collaboration: Collaborating with local authorities, businesses, and community organisations helps promote mobility hubs effectively

“Looking ahead,” Brennan continued, “the next steps to accelerating and enabling mobility hubs include: establishing and setting out an investable proposition to ‘market’ mobility hubs within the EEH region; facilitating a ‘triaging investment’ workshop – bringing together LTAs, private and public sector stakeholders; and offering direct consultancy support to EEH LTAs who wish to pursue delivery of e-mobility hubs.”

www.englandseconomicheartland.com

Crewe town centre car park opens

Multi-storey car park and bus station offer new travel options

Crewe’s new multi-storey car park has officially been opened, marking the end of a two-year construction project to deliver new transport facilities for the town. The 389-space car park, opposite council offices at Delamere House, is adjacent to the new bus station, which opened at the start of May.

The car park and bus station are part of the long-running Cheshire East Council led Royal Arcade development in the town centre. A planned second phase of the development was scaled back last year after the scheme’s viability was reassessed.

The long-stay car park on Delamere Street provides 389 spaces and will be open between 7am and midnight, Monday to Saturday.

The car park provides parent & child spaces as well as 20 electric vehicle charging points, including two for disabled drivers. There are ticketed barriers at the entrance/exit and access at the pedestrian entrance is restricted only to those who have a parking ticket and are returning to their vehicle.

The car park features solar panels, which would minimise energy costs of the facility and new bus station.

During a short formal opening event for the new car park and

The council continues to explore ‘meanwhile uses’ for the remainder of the Royal Arcade development site, which borders Victoria Street and Queensway. Later this year, the land will be grassed over, a new footpath will be installed – linking the car park and bus station with the corner of Victoria Street and Queensway – and the current safety fencing will be replaced with lower-level fencing, which will allow access to the site by the public.

bus station, Cheshire East mayor Cllr Marilyn Houston, said:

“These two facilities are the latest steps in the town’s ‘regeneration journey’. This site has been the location for Crewe’s bus station since the 1950s. The previous bus station had become very dated and was no longer meeting the needs of local people.

“Cheshire East Council has been working over several years to address this and to bring together ambitious plans for the town centre’s regeneration.

“The economic challenges of the last few years have meant it’s not yet been possible to move forward with all these plans. However, Cheshire East Council and its partners have been committed to making sure the foundations are in place, so that people have modern transport facilities that provide safe and attrac-

tive places to start their visits to the town centre.”

Cllr Michael Gorman, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and chair of its economy and growth committee, said: “The multi-storey car park gives us the capacity so that we can free up some of our other car parks and move forward with a range of exciting development projects over the next few years.

“Many of these are supported by funding from the Towns Fund or Future High Streets Fund, totalling £37m. These projects will create more reasons for people to visit the town centre and provide them with a better experience. A great example is Oak Street car park, which closed recently so that construction work on a fantastic new stateof-the-art space for young people can begin.”

Some other car parks in the town centre have been closed. The Civic Centre car park was demolished because a new history centre was being built there. The former car park on Oak Street will become home to a new youth centre.

The car park was developed by Peveril Securities, Cordwell Property Group and Bowmer + Kirkland.

Malcolm Wilcox, of Cordwell Property Group, said: “We are proud to have delivered for Cheshire East Council and the residents of Crewe and its surrounding area one of the finest bus stations and car parking facilities in the North West. From the impressive living ‘green walls’ on the car park, to the large piece of public artwork that sits above the bus station and celebrates the town’s past, present and future, these transport facilities provide a fantastic new focal point to the town centre.

‘Unsafe’ Northampton car park refused planning permission

The owners of a car park built and run without planning permission have been issued with a refusal notice by West Northamptonshire Council.

Bristol car park ceiling collapses

Flats were evacuated after the collapse of the ceiling of an underground car park in Bristol. Firefighters were called to Portland Square in St Pauls, Bristol, at 6.45pm on 30 July.

Around 40 residents had to leave their homes while engineers assessed the building. Three hours later, the

flats were deemed safe for people to re-enter.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service said: “Thankfully, no one was found to be injured during the incident. Our urban search and rescue dog, Buddy, and his handler, firefighter Tully, searched the collapsed underground car park.”

The car park, located near the Grosvenor Centre and the former Greyfriars bus station, briefly opened to public and accepted payments despite not having planning permission.

However, the site was voluntarily closed by its operator in March.

Previously the site was green open space and was used as a public route between Lady’s Lane and Greyfriars.

East Island Partnership, formerly known as Zone Developments, submitted

plans to convert the site into a 55-space car park.

A West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) planning report, external, said the development was unsafe owing to a poor layout and dangerous access to traffic. The council thus denied permission.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and Northamptonshire Police expressed concern about the amount of trip hazards and debris on the site.

Other reasons for the plan’s rejection included a failure to demonstrate the applicant would not cause harm to “irreplaceable heritage assets”.

Crewe’s new car park and bus station

The collapsed car park roof

Solar panels are rising in price

Future of green energy scheme for Worcester car park now in doubt

Worcester City Council is reviewing plans to install solar panels on the roof of a car park after the project was estimated to cost £140,000 more than expected.

It is envisaged that panels on the roof of its St Martin’s Gate multi-storey would generate enough electricity to power lifts, lights and electric vehicle charging points at the car park.

Members of the council’s Policy and Resources Committee had backed the project in October, with a planning application submitted this summer.

It was predicted that the project could cut bills by up to £58,000 every year and increase the amount of energy produced by nearly 450%.

But a report prepared for the council estimates the cost of the project had jumped from £463,250 to £604,365.

The report states: “Despite factoring in the increased elec-

Housing project can half planned parking provision

tricity tariff now paid by the council... the net return on investment is 0.5%. Committee approved the outline business case in October 2023 on the basis of a net return of 2.5%.”

Council officers have consid-

ered closing the top floor of the car park to avoid building panels on steel frames and reducing the cost of the installation.

The original plan meant 38 spaces would be lost from the 700-space car park.

EV charging points for Tallow Hall

Twelve new electric vehicle charging points have been installed at Tallow Hill car park by Worcester City Council.

Tallow Hill was chosen for the chargers as some nearby residents do not currently have access to off-street charging.

Residents living within one kilometre of any city council EV chargers are eligible for a

residential EV permit, allowing them to park free-of-charge between 6pm and 8am whilst charging their EV overnight.

The chargers are part of the council’s EV Charging Strategy and have been funded by the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, run by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.

A housing developer has been given permission to reduce the number of parking spaces at a planned site in Cambridge by nearly half. Plans for 80 new flats off Neal Drive in Orchard Park were approved in 2020 and included 47 parking spaces. South Cambridgeshire District Council then refused a request by Cammoro to reduce this to 26, plus two car club spaces.

The developer told the council it had evidence there was less demand for parking in build-to-rent schemes. But councillors said they could not support the plans given existing parking problems in Orchard Park.

A planning inspector has now allowed an appeal, external, saying the lower number is sufficient.

The Planning Inspectorate acknowledged the number of spaces originally approved was already below the district council’s policy requirements. However, it approved the reduction and also removed plans for an underground car park due to the car club spaces, which it said equated to about 12 parking spaces.

St Martin’s Gate

One of Britain’s greatest Paralympic athletes, Baroness Tanni GreyThompson DBE, has backed calls for all public electric vehicle (EV) charging sites to have accessible charging mandated.

Baroness Grey-Thompson has added her support to the likes of ChargeSafe, Motability Foundation and RECHARGE UK in calling for government action.

Having attended a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Electric Vehicles, where MPs and attendees heard from representatives from these organisations, Baroness Grey-Thompson told RECHARGE UK about her own experience when looking to make the switch to electric driving.

She said: “We were very close to buying an electric car, but when we started looking at the accessibility of the charging stations it very quickly became apparent that it was a complete no-go.

“Many of the charging stations we looked at I would not be able to use for many reasons which include the height of the charging stations, high steps, gravel, and no wide spaces.

“One place we looked at I might have been able to use the charger but there were no accessible spaces so I could not get my chair out of the car to be able to use it. There was also an issue with lighting. One place I checked later at night felt very isolated and I was not sure I would feel safe getting out.”

As a result, the former Paralympian athlete would like to see the mandating of BSI PAS 1899:2022 – a British specification giving designers, procurers, and installers essential specifications on how to provide accessible public chargepoints for electric vehicles.

British specifications are voluntary unless referred to in legislation, so at present chargepoint providers, landowners and land administrators are under no legal obligation to conform with PAS 1899.

Baroness Grey-Thompson added: “It is appalling that it has not been considered before and that we are retrospectively trying to fight for it.”

RECHARGE UK recently called for all public EV charging sites to have minimum levels of accessible charging mandated. The group, which is the EV arm of the REA (Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology), says that mandating accessibility requirements for public electric vehicle chargepoints and surrounding environments will ensure wheelchair users always have equal access to charge their vehicle.

Baroness Jenny Randerson, who is an electric vehicle driver herself, has also called for urgent government action to address the issue and recently submitted written questions to the Lords on accessibility.

During her career Baroness Grey-Thompson won a total of 16 Paralympic medals – 11 gold, four silvers and one bronze.

She added: “It is clearly unacceptable that it has been possible to build EV charging infrastructure without accessibility. As we move to electric vehicles disabled people will experience more discrimination if they are notable to transition.”

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE

Don’t lock disabled people out of EVs

Electric vehicle chargepoints need to be accessible to all by law, says former Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson

opportunity to solve concerns around accessibility that we have simply never solved at petrol pumps across the UK.

It is appalling that accessible design has not been considered before and that we are retrospectively trying to fight for it Tanni Grey-Thompson

Her message to chargepoint operators is clear: “Take responsibility for doing it and don’t hide behind lack of guidance.”

RECHARGE UK is comprised of 100 companies that are manufacturing, installing, operating, consulting on, financing and providing electricity supply to EV charging infrastructure.

Matthew Adams, transport policy manager for the REA, said: “Net zero road transport should be for everyone. We have a unique

“We are currently involved in reviewing PAS 1899 to make it 100% deliverable and I’m sure once that process is complete the government will be able to use it as the basis behind mandating minimum levels of accessibility for public charging sites.

“Baroness Grey-Thompson is not the first person to call for mandating PAS 1899 and will not be the last while many charging sites are simply not accessible and not safe. Our members are consistently at the forefront of innovation, and I know they will and are working to ensure their sites are as accessible as possible, and we are here to help them and the wider industry achieve this.”

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) is the UK’s largest trade association for renewable energy and clean technologies with around 500 members operating across heat, transport, power and the circular economy. It is a not-for-profit organisation representing 14 sectors, ranging from biogas and renewable fuels to solar and electric vehicle charging.

Char.gy takes over 950 London chargepoints

Wandsworth and Richmond to work with same operator

Char.gy is to migrate and integrate 950 established electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in two London boroughs into its own network.

Richmond and Wandsworth councils were among the first London boroughs to roll-out extensive on-street charging networks, supported by the 5-year Go Ultra Low City Scheme (GULCS).

With the conclusion of the scheme this year, the south London councils launched a competitive procurement process for network operators to manage the existing infrastructure. This novel approach required a network migration rather than replacement.

Char.gy was selected to manage the migration and take over the operation of 950 chargepoints across the two boroughs.

The chargepoints are being transferred in phases. The first tranche of works, involving the integration of 368 chargepoints, was completed in July, with the entire transfer finalised by November 2025.

The partnership between Richmond and Wandsworth councils and char.gy has demonstrated a third option for councils nearing the end of a contract. Councils can now opt for migration instead of renewing and

BP pulse has opened an electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at a Marks & Spencer store in Hertfordshire. The hub in Cheshunt, is the first of a number to be rolled out under an exclusive deal signed with M&S in 2022.

The Cheshunt hub features 10 EV charging bays – four ultra-fast 150kW and six rapid 50kW. One of the ultra-fast charging bays is extra-wide to ensure customers who need it have extra room to charge.

The BP and M&S partnership dates back to 2005 when the first M&S Food store opened on a bp forecourt. Today there are over 300 stores across bp’s network. Over 150 stores now have bp pulse charging bays.

Cheshunt is the first M&S ‘hub’, a site with at least six charging bays.

Sacha Berendji, director of operations at M&S, said: “Investing in our stores to make them bigger, better, brighter destinations for the broadest range of customers, including more family shoppers, is a key part of our strategy to Reshape M&S for Growth. EV charging will become an increasingly important part of the store offer.”

Akira Kirton, chief executive at bp pulse UK, said: “The opening of our EV charging hub at the M&S store in Cheshunt is a huge milestone; the first of a strategic roll-out programme.”

replacing their existing infrastructure.

Char.gy said this approach saves councils time and eliminates capital costs whilst ensuring service continuity and minimising roadside disruption for residents. Additionally, Char.gy says shifting away from a single-provider model fosters a competitive marketplace, promoting accountability, fair pricing, and consistent service improvements.

Founded in 2016, with network ownership and operation as its primary focus, char.gy currently manages a network of over 3,000 charging points.

The Richmond and Wandsworth migration will expand the char.gy network by over a third and follows a recent substantial capital injection from Zouk Capital, bringing its total funding to £100m.

John Lewis, chief executive of char.gy, said: “We are proud to have been chosen by Richmond and Wandsworth councils as a partner to serve EV drivers across these London boroughs. This is a UK first and it represents a crucial development in the way EV infrastructure can be rolled out.

“It offers councils a greater degree of choice in their partnerships with private companies, bringing healthy competition to the market, which ultimately encourages operators to provide the best service possible to both councils and EV drivers.”

EV charging at the village hall

Nottinghamshire’s Awsworth Parish Council has worked with Believ to offer electric vehicle (EV) charging in its village hall car park. A fast chargepoint and a rapid contactless chargepoint have been installed in the car park that serves the village hall and recreation ground, which is located opposite the local school and hosts a range of recreational and community activities.

The car park was deemed an ideal location for residents living in the nearby streets, where terraced housing does not allow for private charging at home. The fast chargepoints serve the needs of residents,

while the rapid chargepoint will enable those visiting the hall for a brief visit (such as an exercise class) to charge their cars within the hour.

Cllr John Mortimer of Awsworth Parish Council said: “With the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars fast approaching, the time will come where most vehicles are electric. We need to support residents who would otherwise struggle to accommodate this shift towards sustainable transport. The groundwork has been configured so that we can easily add more chargepoints as EV use increases – helping us to future proof our provision.”

Char.gy chargepoints

Awsworth Parish Council unveils its Believ chargers

GRIDSERVE and the Harper brothers go global

En-route charging champions launch international business

Having championed the creation of electric vehicle charging ‘superhubs’ across the UK, GRIDSERVE founder Toddington Harper will now be focussing on introducing electric vehicle charging to new markets across the world.

Toddington Harper will remain a member of the board and major shareholder of GRIDSERVE in the UK, but will now focus on building GRIDSERVE GLOBAL alongside his brother Heston Harper, co-founder and chief executive Asia Pacific (APAC).

Hubs, Electric Forecourts, and electric heavy goods vehicle charging facilities powered by renewable energy, and directly connected solar.

GRIDSERVE’s executive chairman, Roy Williamson, will take interim leadership of GRIDSERVE in the UK. Williamson said: “GRIDSERVE’s business remains 100% focussed on developing, delivering and operating an EV network that gives UK drivers the confidence to go electric with a great customer experience. Under Toddington’s vision and leadership, the team has installed almost 1,500 charging bays at over 190 locations, and GRIDSERVE has become a market leading chargepoint operator.

“The addition of GRIDSERVE GLOBAL to support GRIDSERVE in the UK will deliver unrivalled focus and technology leadership, which is critical for supporting partners globally with world-leading technology, building on all our successes to-date, and supporting our mission to move the needle on climate change,” said Toddington Harper.

2025 and beyond.”

“I am so proud of what GRIDSERVE has achieved so far and I’m excited about what we can now achieve internationally through building on our tech nology leadership position into

Osprey plans A46 superhub

The UK business will continue its focus on expanding its UK changing network, the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway, includ

“We’re continuing to build on that success for 2024 and beyond and will remain focussed on our mission to deliver sustainable energy at the speed and scale needed to move the needle on climate change.”

In what may be a case of nominative determinism, Toddington

Osprey Charging has completed the freehold purchase of a two-acre plot at Twyford Services near Evesham in Worcestershire. The acquisition will enable the development of an electric vehicle (EV) charging hub for which planning permission and a grid connection for 16 300kW ultra-rapid chargers have already secured.

Located at the Twyford Services, on the busy A46 linking Cheltenham, Evesham and Coventry, the site is an ideal location for an ultra-rapid charging hub that will serve both local residents and long-

distance travellers.

The site is already home to tenants including Costa, KFC, Premier Inn, and a Beefeater Restaurant. These amenities will offer a range of options for EV drivers to enjoy while their vehicles are charging, making Twyford Services a convenient and attractive stopover.

The development is one of hundreds of EV charging hubs being built by Osprey Charging across the UK, supported by the company’s further new investment from Cube Infrastructure Management and Investec Bank.

Toddington Harper

The Twyford Services site

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