News In The Hebden Bridge List

Hebden Bridge Car Parks Receive Awards

Four more car parks across Calderdale have been awarded the prestigious Park Mark award from the British Parking Association (BPA). Garden Square and Station Road in Hebden Bridge, and High Street and Cross Hills in Halifax have all received the award, which represents the commitment of the Council towards ensuring a safer parking environment for motorists.

The Park Mark award is given by the BPA to car parks that have achieved the standards of the Safer Parking Scheme, designed to reduce crime and the fear of crime in car parks.

The Park Mark award was presented by Phil Taylor, of the British Parking Association, to Councillor Amanda Byrne, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development, and Jeff Barlow, Operations Manager for Parking Services.

Councillor Byrne said it was great to be recognised for the work that goes into making car parks in Calderdale safe and secure;

“Parking services are responsible for over 70 car parks across Calderdale, and constantly strive to improve the facilities available. The awards come as a result of ongoing investment into making car parks in Calderdale safe and secure for residents and visitors alike. These latest accolades mean that we now have a total of 24 car parks across Calderdale that hold the Park Mark award.

“These car parks have met the high standards set by the British Parking Association, and the council will continue to monitor these and indeed all other car parks in the borough, to ensure they are properly maintained and are safe for drivers to use.”

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) launched the Secured Car Parks Scheme in 1992 as part of their Secured by Design initiative to encourage those responsible for car parks to improve security standards as a means of reducing criminal activity, the fear of crime and the perception of crime in all car parks and vehicle retention areas.

An independent assessor from the British Parking Association, working with West Yorkshire Police Crime Prevention Officer, visited the car parks to assess the crime risk within the sites and the security for parking. The sites were subsequently approved for the award of the Park Mark, and the award is valid for 12 months before re-assessment. The council has a management strategy which aims to reduce crime and the fear of crime within parking facilities and provide guidance to users establish a safe and secure environment.

The Park Mark sign will be prominently displayed at the car parks as a mark of commitment to the scheme and the users of the facility. The award is recognised and supported by the Home Office and police forces in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Visit The BPA Website