Durham County Council P&R sites awarded Park Mark

Durham County Council’s park & ride sites have retained their Park Mark, which are issued under the Safer Parking Scheme award that recognises car parks with measures in place that actively deter crime and the fear of crime in car parks.

The trio of car parks are Sniperley, Howlands Farm and Belmont.

Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “We actively encourage people to use sustainable forms of transport such as our popular park & ride sites at Howlands Farm, Sniperley and Belmont and for them to do so, it is really important that they feel safe.”

A Park Mark is awarded to parking facilities that pass a risk assessment conducted by the police and the British Parking Association (BPA). The assessments include management and maintenance of the facility, ensuring that there are appropriate levels of surveillance, lighting, signage and cleanliness. 

Jordan Ord, architectural liaison oOfficer for Durham Police said: “Durham County Council continues to achieve the Park Mark award as it demonstrates the hard work and commitment to providing a safe environment for users of the car parks”.

Ryan Davey, area manager for the BPA, said: “This is the eleventh year in a row that the park & rides have received the awards. They have continued to meet the standards throughout this time offering safer parking to the car park customers which is a great achievement.”