Creating a car park is a major project from beginning to end. The initial planning stages generally revolve around government regulations, the layout and the potential for substantial revenue. There are different reasons that pertain to why a business owner may consider developing a parking solution. These might include providing extra parking as a way to maximise on your resources and earn from them, accommodating more workers due to business expansion or enabling customers to park next to your establishment.

After determining what your reasons are for coming up with a car park, you can proceed to plan a suitable layout that takes factors such as technological innovations and parking capacity into account. At this stage you have the information you require to figure out the financial implications of the project as well as the skills and expertise that are necessary to accomplish it.

Identifying the Right Space

Once everyone involved in the project makes a decision regarding the purpose of the park, the next step is to begin planning for its layout, facilities and features. However, you cannot build a car park without a space. This requires you to find and buy the right type of land. It is important to ensure that it is big enough to accommodate several vehicles at the same time.

Consider factors such as the location, security and accessibility. There a number of things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to identifying a prime location for a car park. These include the proximity of the park to facilities such as hospitals, recreational venues, offices and tourist sites.

Being located close to various facilities and amenities is useful for setting up worthwhile partnerships with other places and destinations that make it possible for you to spread awareness about the services that each of you provide.

Business Considerations

In terms of the layout, it should cater to a diverse group of people ranging from staff and families to authorities and shoppers. Think about the number of spaces they may need, the visitors that will be prioritised and whether there will be specific requirements such as easy access for the elderly and small children.

In order to maximise on your potential for earnings, you need to use the space available strategically. This refers to getting more people to use your car park and may involve taking different approaches such as encouraging visitors to stay for shorter periods of time to boost the turnover of cars all day long. Limiting stays is an approach that would work well for businesses like fast food restaurants that are associated with brief visits as people come in and out rapidly. 

The objective is to figure out how customers will be utilising the park and basing your layout on their needs. In addition to an efficient turnover of cars, think about the preferred payment options for parking such as ‘pay and display‘ or ‘digital payment systems‘, depending on what is most ideal for your customers.

From a customer’s standpoint, a good park consists of aspects such as better payment systems, fewer concerns, a generally positive experience and accessible environment. Your park should be a reflection of your brand and achieving this can make a great first and lasting impression on your customers.

Car parks are the first point of interaction with businesses, which is why it is necessary to eliminate the challenges that are linked to finding a parking space. Proper facility management, minimal traffic congestion, better security and digital technology are among the factors that contribute to a good customer experience. 

Working with specialists gives you deeper insight into what you will be able to accomplish, the resources you need to reach your goals and how much does it cost to create a car park.

Seeking Approval

After identifying appropriate land for your park, you need to get permission from the local authorities to access a parking permit. Planning permission is vital and getting it requires you to showcase the following essential factors:

• The car park does not contribute to a significant increase in congestion
• The car park does not have a damaging effect on the local environment
• The car park will only be used for approved and suitable types of parking as per the UK’s car park regulations
• The property must meet the needs that are defined or accepted by the Department for Regional Development (DRD) after a comprehensive evaluation has been performed by a developer
• The car park aligns with land uses nearby
• All construction confirms to the stringent stipulations of the Construction Regulations 2015 set by the Government to guarantee the safety and health of every entity that works on the site.

You also need to consider other businesses within the vicinity as the building project may affect their operations, particularly when construction disrupts their accessibility.

After getting the required permission, you need to ensure that the land is suitable for a car park according to the Government’s specifications. There are also certain official standards that regulate the measurements for vehicles, motorcycles and lanes when building a car park.

It is advisable to seek guidance from an accredited professional in the industry to aid the process of designing the park. Aside from their knowledge of the legalities involved, they also have the level of expertise that is necessary to understand how traffic will flow through the parking space.

Leveling and Surfacing the Space

Regardless of the kind of land you purchase for a car park, resurfacing it is crucial. A field of grass is no longer ideal or acceptable as an appropriate place for people to park their cars. It is important to make sure that the surface of your space is safe and properly leveled when you want to turn land into a car park.

The British Parking Association (BPA) regularly updates its guides regarding the standards for parking space sizes and markings. This information is conveniently available online. Designs, types and capacity are all crucial factors when you are creating any parking solution with different requirements for layouts and measurements depending on your objectives.

Consulting a professional can help you make sure that the spaces are marked out according to specified standards and regulations.

Security and Safety

Security and safety are essential elements of building trust with your customers. Even when you know that your park is completely secure and safe, customers visiting for the first time may still be skeptical. This is why it is important to assure them by clearly demonstrating the safety features that are available in your park.

It is also crucial to carefully consider the access points of the car park. Visitors are generally more likely to choose the most accessible and convenient park, especially the first time. Consequently, picking features such as wide and conspicuous entrances can make a major difference.

Cameras

Installing camera equipment that fully covers every angle and dimension of the park helps to make your customers more comfortable while avoiding taking legal responsibility for unscrupulous characters who seek to rob vehicles.

ANPR cameras are a good choice as they are effective and automated systems that are useful for monitoring and securing car parks. They work by capturing images of number plates when cars get into the park and are connected to a digital ticketing system.

Sustaining smooth operations and a secure environment within your car park also requires you to set up features such as automated barriers and swing gates.

Digital Ticketing Solutions

Car parks depend on ticketing to earn revenue. As time has evolved, hardly anyone relies on someone to spend the day in a booth monitoring tickets. This is an option that can lead to complexities that make it difficult to be consistent and accurate.

A digital ticketing system provides an effective way to collect funds. The Pay & Display machine is a worthwhile alternative that is low-maintenance, does not need a lot of staff participation or barriers and can be used in different ways.

Significance of Clear Signage

Signage is among the most crucial aspects of managing a car park effectively. Signs at car parks make it possible to notify people about certain terms and conditions that enhance functionality, boost earnings, minimise complications and limit issues that arise from unauthorised entry.

As soon as a driver enters a car park, they are required to adhere to the terms and conditions of the park. This is why it is important for them to be able to access this information and know what it entails from the moment they drive in.

There are various factors to consider in regards to signage. These include specific regulations and making sure that the car park is used correctly through clear language that people can easily comprehend. Parking signs on private property within the UK are expected to comply with the stipulations of the BPA that govern how signage should be created.

VIEW THE BPA CODE OF CONDUCT HERE

Entrance signs serve as an agreement between management, drivers and car park owners while also helping to dissuade unauthorised entry and parking. These signs should ideally state the terms and conditions of the park as well as the type of park and how and when drivers are required to pay for using the park.

Signs that show detailed parking terms should be set up throughout the park in order for drivers to be able to see and find them before they park or as they leave their cars. Car park signs must be in compliance with BPA regulations. They should also be conspicuous, properly positioned, weather resistant, include restrictions and directions and be clear and concise.