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The art of keeping cool

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:22:13 -0500

Surface car parks require continual upkeep and maintenance, with problems such as broken signs, fading lines and potholes being common. Rather than let surface car parks deteriorate to the point where contractors are called in, some parking management companies are now instituting their own repair regimes as part of facilities maintenance (FM) services.

This is the approach now taken by CP Plus, which operates car parks across the country. Its clients include local authorities, NHS Trusts, developers, retailers, motorway service operators and English Heritage.

“Besides replacing signs, refreshing lines and filling in pot-holes, CP Plus now also replaces light bulbs and deep cleans car parks as a core activity,” says head of development Gavin Povey. “We also look after landscaping, weeding and replanting verges in car parks.”

Keeping refurbishments on track
When the time comes, CP Plus will bring in specialist refurbishment contractors to upgrade both surface and multi-storey car parks. The company will also project manage refurbishments for clients. “We managed the upgrade at Mutley Plain for Plymouth Council as well as numerous hospital car parks nationally,” says Povey.

When a car park is being upgraded, CP Plus will specify the new layout, materials, signage and payment equipment being installed. While the refurbishment contractors are on site, CP Plus’ next challenge is then ensuring the car park is kept operational. “We will plan night working and phasing of works with the contractors and our on- site staff will be particularly involved in traffic management,” he says.

Preparing for snow and ice
If the weather forecasters are right we are facing another harsh winter, with snow and ice likely to be a major problem for road users, highways authorities and parking operators. Companies such as CP Plus have thus got to formulate a winter weather strategy. There are legal liabilities that a parking operator must be aware of when clearing snow and ice. “If we opened a car park or footpaths and they were not safe and someone had an accident we could be liable if we were found to be negligent,” says Povey.

Gritting is at the heart of any winter resilience package. Throughout the summer the company has been stockpiling reserves of sand and salt. “On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being very, very important, having enough gritting material is a 10 obviously.”

CP Plus staff are trained in snow clearance and, where this service is part of its contract, they are equipped with manual grit spreaders for footpaths and gritting trailers for the car parks. “At sites where we manage gritting ourselves, we set up an alert with the Met Office so that if the ground temperature is going to freeze we get an early warning,” says Povey. “We also use sub-contractors who monitor the weather in the same way and undertake the gritting for us.” While there are a number of weather forecasting and alert services on the market, Povey recommends the Met Office. “The Met Office is very good, and very, very good value – it’s free!”

However much they prepare, car park operators like CP Plus are dependent on local highways authorities to keep the roads leading to their sites clear. “Where access roads belong to the car park then we do it,” says Povey. “If they are adopted roads, then we can’t and it’s up to the relevant highways authority.”

Povey will be hoping councils and the Highways Agency are also well prepared when the thermometers plunge.

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CP Plus: Plus Points

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:08:40 -0500

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Take five: Parking payment methods

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 09:17:41 -0500

When deciding which parking payment process to implement, it is important to identify what you are trying to achieve as a business or property owner. Are you aiming for a greater turnover of customers, safer parking or a more efficient process?

Once you have identified these goals, you can then look at the different solutions.

1. Pay on exit

This is a self-sufficient solution that allows people to pay their parking charge as they leave the car park. Payment can be made at a pay station using cash or a credit card. This structure is the most effective way of making sure people pay for their parking and, by controlling entrances and exits, it stops people abusing your property.

2. Web payment

Using a prepay web portal, you can efficiently oversee the use of your car park. Commonly found at airports, these systems involve motorists paying for their parking in advance online. The car park is then monitored using automatic number plate recognition technology, which identifies vehicles that have paid.

3. Pay by phone

This system allows motorists to pay for their parking by credit card over the telephone or via a text message. A benefit of this method is that customers no longer need to carry change for parking meters or display tickets.

4. Mobile payment

This is similar to paying by phone, however it is conducted over a smartphone with a web application. Many customers find this more convenient.

5. Wave and Pay

As technology advances, wave-and-pay systems are being introduced. This involves customers waving smartphones or credit cards over sensors and payment being taken from a linked account.

Although these transactions involve a small charge for the vendor, it is likely to become the most common form of payment for amounts below £10.
Eventually it will be linked to most pay machines, which will make paying for parking fast and convenient.

By Grahame Rose, director at CP Plus

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CP Plus wins new NHS Trust contract

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 06:05:34 -0500

The three year partnership will see CP Plus implement mobile patrols to regulate parking across nine hospital sites. These patrols will allow CP Plus staff members to regulate staff parking and implement management and control allowing all users to park safely and easily.

Gavin Povey, Head of Development at CP Plus, commented:

“This contract was won following a rigorous best value process and consolidates our position as the number one provider of parking management services to the NHS. We have excellent experience in delivering high quality parking services to hospitals across the UK and we intend to continue this with Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust. We are looking forward to working closely with them in the future.”

CP Plus assist Dalkeith Council in town redevelopment plans

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 15:57:27 -0500

The council, which has never previously charged for parking, is undergoing a £1.2 million redevelopment strategy, which will see the council regulate the town’s car parks. As part of the new contract, CP Plus will be working across the council’s two car parks. North Wynd, which has 92 spaces, will be re-opened in July 2011, with a useful one hour free stay being given. The second car park in St Andrews will follow suit later in the year when it is re-opened in November.

The five year partnership will see CP Plus implement improved security through the introduction of kiosks, monitoring through Pay and Display machines and resurfacing.

Gavin Povey, Head of Development at CP Plus, commented:

“We are extremely pleased to have won the Dalkeith Council contract, especially with the strong competition that we faced and a long two year tendering process. We feel we will be able to provide the best solutions for the council, and are working closely with them, during the redevelopment stages.”

CP Plus appointed by Royal Bournemouth NHS

Mon, 09 May 2011 15:27:12 -0500

CP Plus fought off stiff competition from 10 other car park management companies to secure the account. As part of the new contract, CP Plus will implement a new barrier and pay-on-foot system. Access to the car parks will be redesigned to ensure maximum traffic flows during peak hours.

The six year partnership has seen CP Plus develop car park systems and dramatically reduce parking violations. The system that is currently in place is a Pay and Display system; the proposed pay on foot system will increase security and enable more efficient management of the hospital’s car parks. It will also allow users to ‘pay on exit’ thereby ensuring that they only pay for the time they use rather than having to estimate beforehand how long they will be parked.

Gavin Povey, Head of Development at CP Plus, commented:

“We are delighted that Royal Bournemouth NHS has recognised the value of our services and has renewed our contract. With the implementation of more advanced technology we expect to see further enhanced security and safety for patients and visitors.”

CP Plus celebrates 20 years in the parking industry

Fri, 06 May 2011 09:00:00 -0500

CP Plus has established a broad client base, which includes leading supermarkets, motorway service stations and a number of local authorities. It is also the leading supplier of car park management services to the NHS.

“Parking has changed dramatically since we set out twenty years ago” says Ian Langdon, co-founder of CP Plus. “The technology that has been introduced over the last few years alone has revolutionised the way in which we operate. The arrival of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), pay by phone and barrier-less car parks have streamlined and improved the parking experience for all. We believe this trend will continue as drivers become more familiar with these developments.

“In offering a full service, covering parking enforcement and facilities management we have streamlined for our clients, the process of instructing, managing and paying separate suppliers. CP Plus is able to offer one point of contact for all these needs and in doing so, ensuring that signage is clear and concise, litter and graffiti are removed and pathways are kept clean and tidy.”

Langdon continued: “Each business is different, and CP Plus recognises this. To keep us at the forefront of the parking industry, we have adapted, innovated and developed over the years to keep ahead of the game.”

CP Plus offers a full service parking solution for its clients, including all aspects of site maintenance and management, as well as a general upkeep of facilities, landscaping, security and car park enforcement.