Parking Review Issue 394

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People are central to parking and thus at the heart of the British Parking Awards

Putting parking in the picture

Over the past 20 years, the British Parking Awards ceremony has become a vibrant social occasion in which those working in this all-too-often undervalued sector celebrate achievements in the delivery of policies, projects and facilities. It was amazing to see some 750 people from across the world of parking gather at the Royal Lancaster London on 12 September to catch up with colleagues, counterparts and clients.

The multi-faceted nature of parking means the competition has categories devoted to car parks as structures, to the management of the kerbside, to the wide range of technologies used by operators to provide drivers with an excellent experience, and to the dedicated people who work across the sector.

It is the categories devoted to people in parking that are the true heart of the British Parking Awards. The winners of the team awards and the recipients of individual accolades such as Rising Star, Manager of the Year, Lifetime Achievement and Inspiration trophies represent the very best of British Parking. It was an honour to play a role in sharing their stories.

Mark Moran Editor

Parking Review online: www.parkingreview.co.uk

Pursuing persistent evaders

Transport for London clamps down on Ultra Low Emission Zone non-payers with focussed debt recovery action

Parking reforms aim to meet community needs and reduce the negative impacts of oversized vehicles on city

Workplace parking levy plan

Leeds City Council sees a workplace parking levy as a way to raise funds to implement public transport improvements

Baywatch: The results

Disabled Motoring UK’s survey reveals high levels of misuse of Blue Badge parking bays and a lack of accessible chargepoints

Parking connects across borders

The European Parking Association gathered in Brussels to discuss the future of urban mobility

Mystery shopping in Scotland

Perth & Kinross Council commissioned Alpha Parking to assess how its front line staff interact with the public

Mobility Hubs 2025

Transport, active travel, placemaking and parking professionals gathered in Bristol to discuss local transport interchanges

EVolution Magazine

The latest developments in electric vehicle infrastructure

T he best of British parking

The British Parking Awards 2025 celebrated innovation, great design, team work and individual achievements across the sector

The winners at the British Parking Awards 2025 were revealed at the Royal Lancaster London on Friday 12 September. The annual competition's aim is to recognise best practice and celebrate innovation in the design and management of parking policies, infrastructure and facilities. The competition encompasses on-street and off-street parking provision, the work of the public and private sector, and now also the emerging world of electric vehicle (EV) charging.

The diversity and energy of the sector was evident in the fact that this year over 180 entries were submitted to the competition. This record tally was whittled down to a short(er) list of finalists by a 25-strong jury of independent-minded experts from the worlds of parking, traffic and transport.

The winners included major initiatives including:

• Beyond the Uniform: A media campaign that aims to change public perceptions of parking officers devised by North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) working with Brighton & Hove City Council and supported by PATROL.

• National Parking Platform: Parking Matters was recognised for building a standards-based open market for payments.

• 247Advice.co.uk: An International Parking Community website tackling misinformation about parking on private land.

There were trophies for innovative ideas, including: ScanNeo, for its camera-based data analysis on behalf of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham; BookFlowGo, whose valet parking systems have been adopted by Manchester Airports Group; and Grid Smarter Cities, whose Kerb Delivery booking system has been adopted by London’s Southwark Council.

The winners were revealed at a ceremony hosted by acclaimed comedian and quizzer Paul Sinha, who was ably assisted by the legendary voice artist Roger Tilling. Together they oversaw a spectacular sound and light show staged by Landor LINKS.

In the realm of car park infrastructure, awards were presented to ground-breaking work in the arena of mobility hubs (Manchester City Council’s Ancoats project), provision of electric vehicle charging services (Q-Park) and chargepoints (Believ), and the renovation of an ageing 1960s car park in Worthing (Makers).

Parking operators who took the stage included APCOA and RCP Parking, as did the management teams at destinations such as Bradford Broadway and the Lake District National Park.

The excellent work of parking management teams in Derby, Oxfordshire and Swansea councils. Marston Holdings’ partnerships with the teams at London’s Brent Council and Manchester City Council were also recognised.

The heart of the event was the recognition given to dedicated front line officers and managers, as well as Inspiration Award winner Steven Foster (Newcastle City Council), Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Shapoor Naghshineh (RCP) and Parking Person of the Year Tina Glover (WSP).

The British Parking Awards were created by Mark Moran, editor of Parking Review magazine in 2002 and have been presented annually ever since. The ceremony is regarded as the social highlight of the parking sector’s calendar.

The British Parking Awards return to the Royal Lancaster London on Friday 18 September 2026. www.britishparkingawards.uk

The Winners

Parking Person of the Year

Tina Glover, WSP

Rising Star Award

Gossica Anichebe, London Borough of Hackney

Parking Team of the Year

Swansea Council

Traffic Team Award

Oxfordshire County Council

Parking Operator of the Year

The Broadway, Bradford

Parking Manager of the Year

David Pushkin, London Borough of Hackney

Matt Smith, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils

The Back Office Award

Swansea Council

The Front Line Award

Ivan Bodman, Ealing Council

Tanya McGrath, North Essex Parking Partnership

Future of Parking

Grid

Smarter Cities and Southwark Council

Parking in Action

London Borough of Brent and Marston Holdings

Derby City Council

International Award

APCOA

The Wellbeing Award

RCP Parking

Parking Technology Award

ScanNeo and the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

Parking Partnerships Award

Manchester City Council and NSL

Parking in the Community Award

Lake District National Park Authority

Communication Award

The International Parking Community

The Car Parks

Best New Car Park

Ancoats Mobility Hub, Manchester

Car Park Renovation Award

Buckingham Road Multi-Storey Car Park, Worthing

EV Charging Award

Technology Provider

Believ

Parking Provider

Q-Park

Special Awards

MiPermit Inspiration Award

Steven Foster, Newcastle City Council

Lifetime Achievement

Shapoor Naghshineh, RCP Parking

Special Jury Award

Beth Rutherford, London Borough of Enfield

Manchester Airport Group (MAG) and BookFlowGo

Beyond the Uniform: North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP), Brighton & Hove City Council and PATROL

National Parking Platform (NPP) – Parking Matters

Digital TRO project enters ‘beta phase’

TROs to go digital as DfT plans phasing out of paper-based system, writes Deniz Huseyin

Plans to digitalise all Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) has now entered the ‘public beta’ phase, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced. It said that this will result in a central, standardised digital source for TRO data across England.

The beta phase involves thinking about how a service will integrate with (or start to replace) existing services, and preparing for the transition to live.

This is a major step forward in modernising how local road rules are managed and shared across England, said the DfT.

Historically, TROs are paperbased documents created and managed by local highway authorities. They contain data of speed limits, parking restrictions and other important information vital to road users. The digitalisation will be critical in delivering future services, including connected and automated vehicles, according to the DfT.

Plans to develop a digital traffic regulation order (D-TRO) involves work during the ‘private beta’ phase, encompassing over 30 organisations, including rep-

resentatives from traffic mapping and navigation companies. The organisations are incorporating data into their services for road users and the public to use.

The public beta phase will see the piloting of a D-TRO service, a centralised repository to hold digital traffic regulation orders. The D-TROs are published to the service by traffic regulation authorities (TRAs) or their digital solution providers (DSPs).

The D-TRO Service will reduce costs and streamline processes for accessing road information, and enhance innovation, the DfT predicts. Digital TROs will also provide long-term environmental benefits through reduced congestion and smoother traffic flows, it adds.

The DfT said the data, which is accessed via an API, can be used for purposes such as:

• improving existing services, for example, sat nav routing

• reducing enforcement and processing costs to highway authorities

• reducing congestion by providing information on road closures

• the development of innovative new services providing the digital infrastructure for connected and automated vehicles.

A D-TRO working group will share best practice and learning from local authorities participating in piloting the DfT’s D-TRO service; developing guidance; act-

Reshuffle sees ministers move… and come back again

Lilian Greenwood was temporarily moved as a minister from the Department for Transport (DfT) and then reinstated in a chaotic cabinet reshuffle. The prime minister’s changes were conducted in the wake of Angela Rayner’s departure from the government as deputy prime minister and housing, communities and local government secretary.

Initially, the DfT’s future of roads minister Greenwood was moved to the Whip’s Office and Mike Kane sacked as minister for aviation and maritime. Only a single replacement was appointed to the team supporting transport secretary Heidi Alexander – Keir Mather, MP for Selby, who was moved from being an assistant government whip since 2024. However, after a week Greenwood was brought back.

ing as a channel for input and comment; and developing a D-TRO user community, centred on the TTF working group.

The DfT said any authority can register to the service free of charge to access D-TRO data

Speaking at Parkex, Greenwood said: “Making traffic orders digital will allow delivery trucks to book a loading bay rather than circling the block waiting for a space to become available, feeding information about speed limits and road closures into automated vehicles, helping reduce emissions, and feeding into parking apps providing information about the placement and restriction times of parking bays across the country.”

2017 to January 2020. Her year as minister saw a funding uplift of £500m for local roads in 2025/2026 for England.

Greenwood will still play a role in the Whips’ office.

Lord Peter Hendy continues to lead on rail, and Simon Lightwood retains the brief for roads, buses, micromobility and automated vehicles.

It remains unclear whether her departure was a mistake or a re-think took place.

Greenwood is regarded as a knowledgeable transport minister, having served as shadow transport secretary between 2015 and 2016, and then as chair of the Transport Select Committee from July

Keir Mather joins the DfT as parliamentary under-secretary with responsibility for decarbonisation and electric vehicles. Aged 25 when elected, Mather became the youngest serving MP, known as the ‘Baby of the House’. Now aged 27, he is the youngest minister to be appointed since William Ewart Gladstone in 1834.

At the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Steve Reed has replaced Angela

Rayner as secretary of state. Reed was formerly secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs. Matthew Pennycook retains his role as minister for housing and planning.

Former MHCLG minister Jim McMahon, and former parliamentary under secretary Rushanara Ali, have left the government.

Alison McGovern has been appointed minister for local government finance, reorganisation and homelessness, with Miatta Fahnbulleh joining to lead on devolution, mayoral combined authorities, regional growth, investment zones and high streets. Samantha Dixon is minister for building safety, fire and democracy.

Baroness Taylor remains Lords spokesperson for MHCLG and lead on local government engagement.

The smarter choice for parking operators

Councils generate £1.2bn parking surplus

AA says parking has become a local tax, but LGA defends system

New figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) reveal that English councils generated a surplus of £1.189 billion from on-street and off-street parking in 2024/25.

This is up from £1.043 billion the previous year and £0.896 billion before the pandemic.

Total parking income reached £2.338 billion, compared with £2.075 billion the previous year and £1.758 billion in 2019-20.

London councils accounted for £1.065 billion of this income, generating a £638m – 54% of the national surplus.

AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: “Making £1.2 billion in profit, from an income haul of £2.3 billion, out of people’s pockets and potential consumer spending is where we are now with so many English city and town councils and their unrestrained costs and fines.

“Originally, council parking charges were supposed to cover

Parking surpluses

Top 10 English councils

1. Westminster

2. Kensington & Chelsea

3. Lambeth

4. Hammersmith & Fulham

5. Islington

6. Brighton & Hove

7. Camden

8. Wandsworth

9. Haringey

10. Newham

English councils outside London

Nottingham

Manchester

Bournemouth

North Yorkshire

Bristol

Newcastle

Source: The AA

the cost of controlled and ordered provision. The benefits were to encourage shoppers and other visitors into town and city centres and stimulate commercial activity. On-street charges might encourage turnover of spaces and permits were supposed to protect resi-

Heathrow parking fraudster jailed

A fraudster who conned Heathrow travellers out of more than £1.3m through a bogus airport parking business has been sentenced to 32 months in prison and ordered to repay more than £725,000, following an investigation by Hillingdon Council trading standards.

Sonny Kaushal, 37, director of Airtime Parking Ltd, was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on 9 September after admitting one count of fraudulent trading and two counts of engaging in an unfair commercial practice at a previous hearing in 2023.

During earlier proceedings, the court heard how Airtime Parking was advertised as offering “safe and secure” vehicle storage with security fences, CCTV and 24-hour security patrols. Among services offered were “premium valet parking”, “park and ride” and capacity to store 1,000 cars safely in their own authorised roofed compound within three miles of the airport described as being “as safe as your

house” with a “strong perimeter fence”, extensive security measures and “fully insured” and “professional” drivers.

In reality, customer’s vehicles were parked in a variety of insecure locations, from a field in Datchet, on the roadside in Hillingdon’s streets and an industrial estate, to even being left in Heathrow Airport’s own short-stay parking.

Despite claiming to be the leading Heathrow parking solution provider, it in fact had no allocated sites at the airport.

The court was told how some cars had been damaged while under the care of Airtime Parking. Others had received parking penalties. Car keys had been lost. Customers were charged extra drop-off and collection fees. Some people failed to receive a shuttle ride to the airport.

Airtime Parking staff were aggressive and there had been a failure to respond to complaints or requests for reimbursement or refund.

The court was told 93% of

Income Surplus

£129.4m

£63.2m

£63.3m

£58.9m

£90.6m

£49.7m

£39.2m

£37.9m

£61.2m £35.4m

£51.0m

£33.2m

£49.8m £32.3m

£42.9m

£32.3m

£49.2m £31.3m

£40.0m £25.9m

Income Surplus

£28.4m

£39.8m

£27.9m

£20.0m

£19.5m

£17.1m

£24.5m £15.2m

£23.2m £12.4m

£25.2m

£11.3m

dents’ parking from hogging by outsiders.

“Charges were supposed to cover the cost of providing and enforcing this parking, with some profit from fines and reward for successful parking and commercial policies. Anything above that is tax.

116 reviews on the website Trust Pilot gave the company no more than a ‘one star’ rating. The council was made aware of the issue in June 2022 following numerous complaints to Citizens Advice about the business.

At the hearing, Judge HHJ Edmunds KC, made a confiscation order against Kaushal and Airtime Parking Limited under the Proceeds of Crime Act to the value of the currently available assets of £708,606, but the total value gained from the scam was deemed to be £1,357,171, the court heard. In his sentencing notes, Judge Edmunds stated the company’s activities were carried out over a period in excess of six months, with “multiple victims that simply must have measured in their thousands” with “many if not most being unaware of the fraud”.

Kaushal was given three months to pay the amount in the confiscation order, with the risk of five years in prison if he defaults. He was ordered to pay £3,053.13 in compensation and £14,319.80 in costs.

“For too many councils, particularly in cities, the cost of parking seems to have gone from a reasonable charge to a full-on local tax. Why? Because there is next to nothing holding them back. They create new ways and reasons to plunder more money from people with cars, often on low incomes travelling in for work. Residents feel hostage to permit costs so high that households often rip up their front gardens and turn them into parking.”

A spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA) said income raised through onstreet parking charges and fines is first spent on running parking services, with any surplus spent on essential transport improvements, including fixing local roads, reducing congestion, tackling poor air quality and supporting local bus services.

“Fines outside London have remained the same since 2008,” the spokesperson said. “In many places, this can serve as a less effective deterrent to unfair, inconsiderate and illegal parking. We support the government’s intention to review this.”

Reading refunds £70k in fines after problems with TRO

Reading Borough Council has refunded almost £70,000 in parking penalties to drivers after finding it had made a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) incorrectly.

Last year, the Berkshire council admitted that it had wrongly issued about 6,100 penalty charge notices (PCNs) between 2013 and 2024. A report to the audit and governance committee by monitoring officer Michael Graham said the restitution scheme approved in October 2024 had seen 1,141 claims made over PCNs, of which 714 had been approved for refunds, with a further 131 awaiting further information and 296 rejected. All 60 cases of enforcement action had been settled with refunds paid, giving a total across penalty notices and enforcement of £68,000, including time-andtrouble and interest payments.

Graham said the council had also written to a further 2,235 people who were subject to a PCN but not enforcement action.

Aberdeen refreshes parking strategy

Council prepares new transport plan for city, reports Rhodri Clark

Aberdeen City Council has updated its car parking strategy and travel plan to reflect the many changes in policy, infrastructure and service provision since the previous ones were created. The updates coincide with the council preparing its Local Transport Plan (LTP) and the outline business case for Aberdeen Rapid Transit (ART).

A Strategic Car Parking Review was undertaken in 2019 but implementation was interrupted by COVID-19. An update was commissioned last year, and on 9 September councillors were asked to note the outcomes and agree that the recommendations be considered in the development of the LTP and the ART business case.

Changes associated with parking since 2019 include: legislation to ban pavement parking, now being enforced in Aberdeen; introduction of a Low Emission Zone, although most city-centre car parks are still accessible by non-compliant vehicles; the digitisation of parking; and modernisation of infrastructure.

The update, carried out by AECOM, confirmed that there are sufficient parking spaces in the city centre to meet demand, privately operated car parks charge significantly more than

the council’s tariff, and busbased park & ride sites are underutilised but some rail-based sites are beyond capacity.

“Research indicates that the cost of parking is not generally a primary consideration for retail customers in comparison with location/convenience,” said Will Hekelaar, Aberdeen City Council’s acting team leader for transport strategy and programmes, in a report for councillors. “This is supported by the data which suggests that paidfor parking at Union Square and Trinity Mall was better utilised than council car parks on Sunday mornings, which offered free parking at the time of the research.”

Other key considerations were the likelihood of finding an available space, and personal safety.

“The introduction of parking

charges/controls does not in isolation have a detrimental impact on the performance of town centres,” he continued.

“Parking has a major influence on the transport choices people make and can be used as a demand management tool. The availability and price of parking spaces can be a key consideration in the number of car trips and the relative attractiveness of other modes.”

He said travel demand management measures are crucial to achieving modal shift, and particularly to the successful delivery of ART and maximisation of its benefits.

The LTS will need to strike a balance between the competing needs of and demands on the city centre, councillors were informed. Changes to parking policy and provision could be

portrayed as a barrier to accessing the city centre, but failing to address car parking as part of demand management measures may suggest the council is not committed to sustainability and net zero obligations and could undermine the success of ART.

The council’s changes to city centre traffic routeing in August 2023 – including introduction of bus gates to keep through traffic out of the central business district – provoked protests from traders and local media. However, there was no reduction in the capacity of city-centre parking, on-street or off-street, and bus passenger numbers increased in response to shortened journey times.

The new traffic management regime is one of many changes since the council’s current travel plan was adopted in 2001.

There is also far greater awareness today of the environmental impact of transport and a commitment from the council to addressing this, along with keeping people mobile for physical and mental health, said a report for councillors by Aberdeen City Council planner Anthony Burns.

“Given that a travel plan is often a requirement for new developments, it is important that the council is able to demonstrate that its own plans are competent and that it is actively planning to reduce the impact of staff travel.”

Guide Dogs continues call for national pavement parking law

Vehicles obstructing pathways cause huge difficulties for pedestrians, particularly people with sight loss, wheelchair users and people with prams.

People with a vision impairment are often forced to step into the road into oncoming traffic they cannot see, just to get round a parked car.

This is why Guide Dogs is continuing its fight to make pavements safer for people with a vision impairment. The charity is calling on the UK government to act now and make pavements safe for all.

The Department for Transport has yet to publish the findings of its 2020 consultation on changes to the law.

Guide Dogs wants to see the government introduce a national law to tackle pavement parking. Currently, London and Scotland are the only parts of the UK where pavement parking restrictions exist.

New research conducted by YouGov on behalf of Guide Dogs showed that councillors are in favour of tougher action.

In areas where there is not a clear law:

• 74% of councillors support the call to introduce powers to tackle pavement parking.

• More than 8 in 10 (84%) say pavement parking creates safety risks for pedestrians in their area.

• Almost half (45%) believe existing methods are too costly, while 51% think they are too impractical to use.

Eleanor Briggs, head of policy, public affairs and campaigns at Guide Dogs, said: “Local leaders are clear: pavement parking is unsafe, the current system just isn’t working across most of the country, and a clear law is needed to make sure everyone can travel down their streets safely, particularly people with sight loss.”

Guide dog owner Helen Brewis-Levie knows firsthand the dangers pavement parking creates but her life has changed since moving to Scotland where pavement parking restrictions are being rolled out.

“Pavement parking is not simply a matter of ‘bad parking’. It is a daily danger to blind people across the UK. I’ve been forced into traffic, verbally abused and have even broken my wrist after a fall getting past a car on the pavement.

“In Scotland, pavements belong to people again, not vehicles. It’s given me freedom, independence and confidence. Scotland has shown that it works. Now the rest of the UK must follow.”

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Vehicle management campaign makes progress

National Persistent Evader Database calls for national legislation

For over a decade, local authorities and those working in traffic enforcement have called for new powers to better manage vehicle compliance amid growing challenges such as ghost and cloned number plates, unregistered vehicles and persistent evaders.

Unregistered vehicles are often driven using cloned and ‘ghost plates’ that are designed to circumvent speed and parking enforcement based on the use of number plate recognition cameras. Many of these unregistered vehicles are associated with criminal activity.

These issues have increasingly hindered law enforcement efforts and undermined road safety across the UK.

The government has agreed to discuss the case for legislation that will tackle the problem of unregistered vehicles being driven on UK roads.

Lord Lucas tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill in the House of Lords on 16 October, calling on the government to support a legislative pilot of the Vehicle Compliance

• deny criminals the use of public roads

• create safer streets for all road users.

The need for a VCMA has been championed by Alan Wood, creator of the National Persistent Evaders Database (NPED). It is designed to be cost-neutral to the public purse, ensuring that enhanced enforcement and compliance can be achieved without additional taxpayer burden.

Management Act (VCMA).

The proposed Vehicle Compliance Management Act seeks to address these challenges head-on by granting fair and proportionate powers to

approved contractors, working in close collaboration with local authorities and police forces.

The VCMA aims to:

• restore control over the vehicle community

NEPP teams up with NPED

The North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) is to implement the National Persistent Evader Database (NPED), a project that aims to take high-risk vehicles and repeat offenders off UK roads. The integration is being delivered through NEPP’s Chipside notice processing system.

NPED is an intelligence service that identifies vehicles with a history of unpaid penalty charge notices (PCNs) and other risk factors, such as being untaxed or lacking a valid MoT. By flagging problem vehicles before enforcement escalates, NPED seeks to empower local authorities and private parking operators to focus efforts where they will be most effective.

“We were keen to implement NPED early to intercept cases with a lower likelihood of payment before they progress,” said Richard Walker, head of strategic parking at NEPP.

Illegal number plate inquiry launched

An inquiry into illegal vehicle registration plates including those that block ANPR monitoring has been launched by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety (APPGTS). The MPs have raised concerns that there is a growing problem around illegal number plates, such as undetectable ‘ghost’ plates.

Regulations relating the UK’s number plate system are failing to keep pace with the growth in illegal number plate practices and the increasing quantity of number plate suppliers registered with the DVLA.

The APPGTS will assess the current registration plates system in the UK, offer evidence-based recommendations for reform of the system, and facilitate discussions among policymakers, industry experts, trading standards, the police, and the public about the impact of non-compliant

Wood says the parliamentary session on the 16 October achieved its objective, with the government committing to further discussions on this initiative.

“This development represents real progress toward tackling persistent vehicle non-compliance and giving local authorities the tools they need to act decisively. The VCMA will make a tangible difference to communities and help ensure our roads are safer and fairer for everyone. The VCMA proposal continues to gain momentum among policymakers, enforcement agencies, and road safety advocates as a practical and forward-thinking solution to one of the UK’s growing challenges.”

suppliers and unregulated online shops have led to an explosion of illegal number plates on our roads, hampering police efforts to catch people who think the rules of the road don’t apply to them.

“I’m campaigning for higher fines, better enforcement and stronger regulation of our number plate system to put an end to this wild west.”

number plates on road safety.

Sarah Coombes MP has introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill that would introduce stronger penalties for those using ghost plates to avoid detection. The Bill proposes fines of up to £1,000 and six penalty points for individuals found driving with illegal or cloned number plates.

“For too long the critical importance of number plates has flown under the radar,” said Coombes. “Cowboy

A trial of new technology by West Midlands Police and Redspeed International detected vehicles displaying illegal 3D and 4D ‘ghost plates’ specifically designed to evade ANPR systems. The system detected 4,335 separate instances of ghost plate use, involving 2,961 individual vehicles, in Birmingham in a two-week period.

Ghost plates look normal to the naked eye but are rendered unreadable to ANPR cameras by a transparent film or raised digits made of non-compliant materials, or the careful altering of specific characters.

Croydon tackles disguised vehicle registration plates

Croydon Council has started removing vehicles on public roads which have had their registration details deliberately hidden or disguised by drivers.

Motorists conceal their vehicle for a number of reasons, such as avoiding buying parking permits, not having to pay for a penalty charge notice (PCN), or so they can be stored on the road whilst work is carried out or the vehicle is offered for sale, said the council.

Vehicles that are found in Croydon not displaying their registration will be issued with a 24-hour notice by the council to display their identity, or they will be removed. Once removed, the owner will be required to prove ownership and pay a release fee of £280, alongside a daily charge of £55. If the vehicle remains unclaimed after 28 days, it will either be disposed of or sold.

TfL

Pursuing persistent evaders

Transport for London clamps down on Ultra Low Emission Zone non-payers

Transport for London (TfL) is clamping down on drivers who persistently evade penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued for Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) contraventions. While only a small minority are liable to pay the charge – with the latest data showing that more than 97% of vehicles seen driving in the ULEZ comply with the emissions standards – TfL is aware of a specific group of drivers who persistently refuse to pay multiple outstanding penalties.

Recent data shows that 94% of the outstanding debt owed from all open UK-issued ULEZ PCNs – which could otherwise be reinvested to improve the transport network for everyone – is from persistent evaders (those with at least four PCNs outstanding).

In order to recoup the debt from unpaid PCNs across its road user charging schemes, TfL has been deploying an intelligenceled approach alongside enforcement action, which can include tracking evaders down to different addresses and employing more effective data-sharing with other national bodies, such as the Department for Transport (DfT) and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

This has led to around £16.5m of debt related to road user charges and penalties being recovered through enforcement action and returned to TfL between January and June 2025, so it can be reinvested into the transport network.

When there is no response over an extended period from a driver who has incurred a ULEZ charge, the enforcement process is triggered, which includes issuing warrants backed by the courts. Action to recover the debt involves enforcement agents visiting a home address to recover money owed. They can also seize particular belongings and use the proceeds of a sale to satisfy any outstanding debt, for example, clamping a vehicle and selling it at auction.

Between January and June this year more than 530 vehicles have been seized from drivers who have failed to pay road user

charges and penalties. More than 350 have been sold at auction, with more than £285,000 being raised through sales as a result. Recent cases of TfL successfully tackling persistent evaders of ULEZ charges include:

• a driver being traced to a new address and visited by enforcement agents after previous communications failed to lead to any payment. The driver then agreed to settle, paying more than £6,800 to clear their balance in full, having received 18 warrants

• one persistent evader paying almost £17,000 in June to clear 46 warrants against their vehicle after being contacted by enforcement agents multiple times

• one vehicle being seized that was linked to 88 warrants. More than 130 letters had been issued to the driver and they were visited 14 times. The car raised £7,000 at auction

• one driver refused to pay, leading to his vehicle being located and seized. It raised more than £2,100 at auction.

TfL is currently taking forward some cases that will make greater use of civil action, as it continues to ramp up its efforts to deliver stronger enforcement. It warns that in the most extreme cases, this includes action that could lead to bankruptcy proceedings for an individual or business if they refuse to settle their debt and action that would ensure debt is repaid before a property is sold.

Other alternative enforcement action TfL could take includes recovering earnings from an individual’s employer and making greater use of civil action to bolster the effectiveness of enforcement agents, including debt recovery actions in a County Court.

TfL is also trialling changes to the style and format of its PCNs and Charge Certificates. This is aimed at encouraging drivers to settle rather than ignore the charges and engage at an earlier stage of the process. This includes making it even clearer to the driver what the enforcement process is, what stage they are at in it and what the consequences are – including how the charge will increase – if they fail to take action.

TfL is discussing with the government how to improve collection of road user charges and other debts owed to TfL and other public bodies. It is also known that there can be a link between the behaviour of deliberate evasion and other areas of criminality.

TfL now responsible for Oxford Street

Transport for London (TfL) has become the highway authority for Oxford Street after discussions between Westminster City Council and the Greater London Authority (GLA). The redesignation paves the way for London Mayor Sadiq Khan to pedestrianise the full length of Oxford Street between Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road.

Under the agreement, responsibility for highway maintenance, roadwork permitting, and coordination has transferred from Westminster City Council to TfL: Oxford Street is now part of the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN).

Mayor Khan is pressing ahead with plans to establish a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) and develop proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street. This follows a public consultation which closed in May 2025.

The GLA’s report on the public consultation, published in June 2025, suggested that the majority of Londoners and businesses back the Mayor’s ideas. Almost seven in 10 of those who responded expressed support for the proposals to regenerate Oxford Street, while two-thirds were supportive of the pedestrianisation idea specifically, said the GLA.

London’s pedicabs to be regulated

Proposals to regulate pedicab drivers, vehicles and operators have been drawn up by Transport for London (TfL). This follows a consultation earlier this year in which most respondents told TfL that pedicabs should be banned and not regulated, the audio from pedicabs is too loud and antisocial, and pedicabs are unsafe. The Pedicabs (London) Act 2024 gives TfL the powers to regulate pedicabs in public places in the capital rather than ban them.

TfL’s proposals include enhanced criminal record checks and medical checks for drivers, and annual licensing inspections for their vehicles, with checks on brakes, tyres, lighting and batteries for electrically powered pedicabs. Drivers would have ID and pedicabs would have licence plates.

Licensed pedicab drivers, operators and vehicle owners would be required to undertake regular safety checks of their vehicles, keep records and provide evidence of the outcome of these checks when required.

TfL plans to introduce a pedicab fare structure, with fares based on journey time only based on a per minute rate. There would a minimum fare, which may vary according to time of day or other factors determined by TfL.

Posters promote safer road use

TfL campaign supports updated Highway Code

Transport for London (TfL) has launched a public awareness campaign, which will include posters around the capital’s transport network, to raise awareness of the Highway Code with a particular focus on the rules designed to protect people walking, cycling and motorcycling.

The Highway Code aims to promote safety on the road, while also supporting a healthy, sustainable and efficient transport system, and many of the rules in the code are legal requirements. However, a recent survey conducted by TfL shows that there is low awareness and understanding of the rules, which were updated in 2022, associated with protecting those who continue to be the most at risk on London’s roads.

A London-based survey by TfL found that only 16% of respondents showed a correct understanding of all five rules, which aim to protect the most at-risk road users. TfL is determined to tackle this, as people walking, cycling and motorcycling continue to be most at risk of death and serious injury on London’s roads. Of all people killed or seriously injured in 2024, 81% (2,988 people) were walking, cycling or motorcycling.

The new campaign, which is supported by the Department for Transport, will appear on roadside posters across London, social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), and online video. It will raise awareness and highlight five key rules in the Highway Code, which protect at-risk road users and look to address areas where research shows there is poor compliance and understanding of the rules.

TfL has committed to working with London’s boroughs, the police and other partners to eliminate death and serious injury from London’s streets by 2041.

Thursday 20 November 2025

Dugdale Arts Centre, Enfield

The 6th annual Liveable Neighbourhoods conference will discuss the key elements to creating people-friendly streets.

There are a host of reasons why people-friendly streets are in all our interests. Not only do they ease pressure on the NHS but they also boost local economies. They reduce road danger, improve air quality, strengthen community cohesion, encourage the use of public transport, are good for biodiversity and mitigate the risk of flooding.

Expert panels will discuss a range of issues including good engagement, reallocating kerbspace, road danger reduction, infrastructure design, 20-minute neighbourhoods, housing developments designed to improve quality of life, and how to engage with creative sector organisations.

This event will shed light on the benefits of creating a neighbourhood that is less car-dominant. There will also be the latest information on Transport for London’s Better Bus partnerships and Safer Streets programme.

Headline

BUILDING BETTER STREETS

What’s going to be discussed:

l Why every successful scheme needs good comms and engagement

l Techniques for debunking misinformation

l How to achieve behaviour change – A look at the ‘sticks’ and ‘carrots’ for encouraging modal shift

l Transferring kerbspace from parked cars to other uses such as bus lanes, street trees, rain gardens and parklets

l Road danger reduction measures including 20mph limits, modal filters, side road zebra crossings and changes to junctions

l Developing a 20-minute Neighbourhood that encompasses all the essential services and amenities

l Delivering homes, streets and neighbourhoods that improve people’s quality of life and enable more sustainable ways of living

l Incorporating public art and engagement with creative sector organisations into projects

l Plus a spotlight on Enfield's Journey & Places programme and a walking tour of Enfield Town’s Liveable Neighbourhoods project

For further information and to book: www.liveableneighbourhoods.uk

Sponsored by: Event partner: Supported by:

Plan for a fairer and greener Cardiff

Parking reforms aim to meet community needs and reduce impacts of oversize vehicles

Cardiff Council’s cabinet has approved a 10-year strategy designed to tackle the city’s parking challenges, support sustainable travel, and improve quality of life for residents and visitors. The City Parking Plan will be a cornerstone of Cardiff’s wider Transport Strategy, which aims to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and make the city’s streets safer and more accessible.

The plan will introduce a new framework to manage parking across Cardiff, aligning the Welsh capital with best practices seen in other major UK cities.

The plan has been shaped by the key findings of a comprehensive public consultation. Feedback led to significant changes, including merging the Bay and Outer Areas for simpler administration, greater flexibility for visitor permits, and revised eligibility for student and business permits.

The city council said plan will be phased in over the next 10 years, with ongoing engagement and regular reviews to ensure the plan continues to meet the needs of Cardiff’s diverse communities.

Key features of the parking plan include:

• Three Parking Management Areas: Cardiff will be divided into City & Civic Centre, Inner, and Outer Areas with tailored parking policies to reflect local needs.

• Controlled parking zones (CPZs): All on-street parking in the Central Area will be managed through CPZs, with operational hours and rules designed to prioritise residents, Blue Badge holders, essential services, and local businesses.

• Permit reforms: New types of permits will be rolled out, including for residents,

Councillors in Cardiff have agreed plans that seek to tackle the problem of ‘carspreading’ with plans to implement fairer parking charges for the heaviest vehicles in the city.

In a consultation conducted by the council, two-thirds of those who responded (66%) agreed that larger vehicles should pay more for permits, while less than a quarter disagreed (24%).

Hundreds of residents also signed a petition calling for fairer parking charges based on the size of the car to reduce congestion and road danger.

The move has been welcomed by campaigners, including Helen Edwards, the mother of a teenage boy who was hit by a car outside their home. She told councillors how her young teenage son was hit by a car last year: “Families like mine live every day with the consequences of our streets

students, businesses, carers, and community premises. Surcharges will be introduced for oversized and highly polluting vehicles, while motorcycles will now require permits to park in resident bays.

• Visitor parking changes: Residents will be able to get daily visitor permits, but hourly ones will still be available to offer more flexibility. To prevent misuse, there will be a limit on how many visitor permits can be used.

• Support for vulnerable groups: The plan prioritises Blue Badge holders and introduces new permits for professional and unpaid carers, ensuring those who need parking most are supported.

• A community-led approach: The operational days and times of parking controls in the Outer Area will be set in consultation with local communities, ensuring schemes meet real-world needs.

Following the plan’s adoption, Cllr Dan De’Ath, cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning and transport, said: “Our new City Parking Plan is a vital step towards a stronger, fairer, greener and more accessible

Carspreading campaign welcomes Cardiff plan

future. By listening to residents and busi nesses, we’re ensuring that our streets work for everyone – supporting local communities, tackling congestion, and helping us meet our climate goals. This plan is about making Cardiff a better place to live, work, and visit for years to come.

“But we recognise that parking is a finite resource and that difficult choices must be made to balance the needs of residents, businesses, visitors, and vulnerable groups.

“The City Parking Plan aims to support the city’s climate emergency response by encouraging cleaner vehicles and sustainable travel, reduce commuter parking in residential areas, make parking rules simpler and more consistent, and ensure fair access for all, including those with additional mobility needs.”

organs were damaged was painstaking –we felt completely helpless.”

being dominated by ever-larger vehicles. This isn’t about punishing drivers – it’s about protecting children, pedestrians and our communities. If this change helps even one family avoid what we went through, it will be worth it,” she said. “As a parent it’s your worst nightmare to come out of your house and see your child lying in the road. In the hospital, the first thing the doctor wanted to know is what size car he was hit by. The wait to find out if his internal

Clean Cities is one of the founder members of The SUV Alliance, a campaign made up of a coalition of 19 environmental and transport groups. The alliance has published a manifesto calling for changes to Vehicle Excise Duty to tax the heaviest, most polluting vehicles more when they are sold, and to allow local authorities to introduce higher parking charges on SUVs and other heavier vehicles.

Oliver Lord, UK head of Clean Cities, said: “Cardiff is showing real vision by standing up to the SUV carspreading that’s taking over our streets. It’s only fair that those driving the biggest, heaviest and most polluting vehicles pay more for the extra space and danger they bring. This is a common-sense policy that will make our city streets safer, cleaner and fairer for everyone. Other cities across the UK could learn from Cardiff’s leadership.”

A SPACE FOR PARKING PROFESSIONALS

Local authorities across the North East of England share a common goal of supporting local communities, businesses and economies. These ambitions will be showcased at North East Parking Show 2026, which this year moves to a new home… the beautiful cathedral city of Durham.

Objectives

Delegates will hear about new developments and approaches to managing parking, and also get hands-on access to new technologies and systems. The event will:

l Showcase best practice and innovative approaches to parking management

l Explore the positive impact parking can have on the regional economy and community wellbeing

l Share legislative updates and compare policy aspirations

l Foster collaboration with stakeholders invested in delivering community-friendly parking solutions

l Keep up-to-date on technological advances

For further information and to book visit:

Networking

The evening before the conference there will be relaxed a networking event that will enable speakers, delegates, our hosts, sponsors and exhibitors to meet and share ideas in one of Durham’s many excellent hospitality venues.

The programme

The conference will feature expert presentations and topical debates.

If you have an idea for a talk contact the programme coordinator Gavin Manger, Strategic Partnership Manager at Landor LINKS. Email: gavin.manger@landor.co.uk

Exhibition/Sponsorship Opportunities

To discuss exhibiting opportunities at the North East Parking Show 2026 contact Jason Conboy at: jason@landor.co.uk

Businesses in Leeds that provide staff parking could be charged more than £2,000 per space to help pay for West Yorkshire’s proposed tram network.

Leeds City Council is considering a workplace parking levy that would see an annual fee introduced on company parking to help fund public transport improvements.

A workplace parking levy (WPL) is a charge levied on businesses for each parking space they offer to staff. WPLs are permitted by government legislation.

In Leeds city centre, the proposed model would see businesses pay a charge per parking space in the region of £2,080 per year (£40 per week), which is in line with a city centre parking season ticket.

Businesses within the defined city centre boundary offering 10 or more parking spaces would be subject to the WPL. Businesses with nine or fewer parking spaces would not have to pay the levy.

Disabled parking spaces, operational vehicles and hospitals would be exempt from the levy. Fleet vehicles would also be exempt.

There may be other exemptions depending on the feedback to a consultation.

The consultation aims to understand how businesses would be affected by the scheme, with feedback used to help shape the proposals. An outline business case will then be developed and a report submitted to the Department for Transport for approval.

If approved, the council would look to launch the scheme in Spring 2027.

The zone would extend west to Kirkstall viaduct, north to Leeds University and to Hunslet in the south east of the city.

A council spokesperson said: “The current level of funding available to us is insufficient to cover our ambitions, and introducing a mechanism such as a workplace parking levy is one funding option which could help generate the revenue needed.”

It is estimated to generate between £15m and £25m every year, with funds ring-fenced to support major transport investments in the city centre, principally a tram system. The revenue raised would support the ambitions of the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy which envisages creating a people-friendly, cleaner, safer environment for everyone who lives, works and visits Leeds.

Three of the city’s strategic priorities are: helping to deliver a tram system; enhancing public transport; and transforming the city centre.

Earlier this year the government agreed to provide £2.5bn to help fund the proposed mass transit system, which is likely to be a tram network, but a local contribution of between 15% and 25% is required. There are two proposed tram routes, one from Leeds city centre to

Leeds sets out plan for workplace parking levy

Charges for city centre staff parking could help fund tram network

A map of the proposed boundary for the Workplace Parking Levy. Disabled spaces and hospitals would be exempt, along with fleet vehicles, and the charge would only be levied on businesses with 10 or more parking spaces

Bradford city centre and a second route from St James’s Hospital in Leeds to the White Rose Centre via Leeds city centre. The exact routes are expected to be revealed in the coming months. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is overseeing the development of the mass transit system. There is no proposal for a levy in Bradford.

Nottingham’s WPL

Nottingham is the only other city in the UK with a workplace parking levy, which was introduced in 2012, with businesses charged £500 per parking space.

Nottingham City Council said that since its introduction more than £100m had been raised, which had helped fund a 17km (10.5 mile) extension to the city’s tram system.

How levy revenue would be spent

Workplace parking levy revenue could fund improvements that offer a greater incentive for commuters to travel into Leeds city centre using public transport, and encourage people to travel more sustainably in the city centre.

Funding generated by a workplace parking levy would be used:

• As a local contribution towards mass transit. Although the government will provide the majority of the funding for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s mass transit system, a local contribution of 15% to 20% is required.

• To enable the council to deliver transport improvements which offer greater priority to buses. This will help reduce journey times and increase reliability of services, improving passenger experience and making public transport more attractive. This will support wider bus reforms and the franchising of services proposed by the Mayor of West Yorkshire and the combined authority.

• Exclusively for city centre transport and public realm. The funds would be ring-fenced to support city centre schemes which encourage active and sustainable travel, reduce traffic congestion, help improve pedestrian safety, and improve air quality.

Red alert for Blue Badge bays

Disabled Motoring UK reveals high levels of misuse of disabled parking bays

For many disabled motorists, finding an available, properly managed and enforced parking bay remains a persistent challenge. Being unable to access a designated Blue Badge parking bay at a destination such as a supermarket or shopping centre can exclude disabled people from everyday activities.

To understand the extent of abuse of disabled parking provision, the charity Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK) conducts a regular survey called Baywatch. The survey, which ran from mid-July until midAugust, gave people the opportunity to complete a 5-minute survey each time they visited one of the following supermarkets – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl. DMUK received 1,007 responses. Tesco was surveyed most frequently with 32% overall, Morrisons least often but it still received over 100 surveys.

The 2025 survey reveals that supermarket chains are failing to protect parking spaces designated for disabled people and confirms that misuse of disabled parking bays is widespread. The data reveals disabled bays in 86% of reviewed car parks are being misused, and 75% of the respondents at some point have felt watched or judged, or received negative and intrusive comments for using disabled bays.

Baywatch 2025 also shines a light on the lack of accessible electric vehicle (EV) bays across supermarkets, with little evidence of improvement since the survey was last conducted by DMUK in 2022. Only 25 out of 1,007 respondents surveyed a supermarket site which provided accessible EV parking.

Disability activist Dr Shani Dhanda sets out the need for change: “Accessible parking bays aren’t just a nice-to-have – they’re a lifeline. Without them, so many disabled people are shut out of everyday life, whether that’s getting to work, buying food, going to appointments, or just being part of their community. When bays are misused or not properly managed or enforced, it sends a really clear message that our access and independence aren’t a priority. Baywatch matters because it’s not just raising awareness – it’s holding people to account and pushing for real change.”

Zoe Rush, DMUK’s marketing and campaigns manager, said: “The results are unfortunately not a surprise to us at Disabled Motoring UK. It is discouraging to see the numbers of misuse so high and to see such little evidence of change over the years, as well as such low numbers of accessible EV bays. Considering the Blue Badge system has been around for decades we’d like to see the scheme re-evaluated and ensure it fully serves the people it was designed to support.

“We encourage supermarkets to review this report and reflect on the impact these issues have on their disabled customers, on their own revenue, and on the wider parking sector. Providing signage and parking bays is not enough in terms of providing reasonable adjustments for disabled people. While operators likely comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the Private Parking Code of Practice, the results from the Baywatch survey demonstrates why this is not enough. Besides appropriate accessible bay management, we also encourage parking operators and supermarkets to consider the Park Access accreditation and the Park Access EV accreditation based on PAS 1899. This accreditation ensures that the accessibility, security, provision and size of disabled bays are truly fit for purpose.”

Baywatch 2025: The results

The Baywatch survey looked at disabled badge misuse and the provision of electric vehicle charging

Disabled bay misuse

The vast majority of the car parks reviewed had a minimum of one vehicle misusing the disabled bays. The survey reveals that 86% of car parks had at least some disabled bay misuse. Only a small portion of all car parks had no disabled bay misuse – 113 car parks (out of 860 for accuracy of results).

• Highest recorded misuse: Asda had 97% of their car parks disabled bays being misused.

• Lowest recorded misuse: Aldi scored best although still relatively high at 77%.

Key observations

Accessible parking bays per car park: 4-9 disabled bays were most common in the supermarkets surveyed, accounting for 30.29%.

Cancelled supermarket trips

79% have either had to source parking options elsewhere or had to cancel their trip to a supermarket entirely (57%).

Experience of disabled bay users

49% have felt watched or judged for using disabled bays, 27% at some point had received negative or intrusive comments, totalling 75% of all respondents.

Blue Badge inspections:

• 87% have never had their Blue Badge inspected by a civil enforcement officer.

• 93% would be happy for their Blue Badges to be inspected.

Rights and responsibilities

62% find the rights and rules of Blue Badges between councils confusing and not well communicated.

Private car parks

With regard to other private car parks, the majority of respondents (75%) thought that nearly all car parks did not have enough disabled bays. In particular:

• Hotels and motels scored the highest frequency.

• Multi-storey car parks and airports scored worst for the experience of accessibility issues.

EV bays:

• Highest percentage of accessible EV bays per car park: Tesco had the most accessible EV bays, Morrisons was second placed.

• Car parks with least EV bays of any type: Asda and Aldi.

Disabled Motoring UK

Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK) is a national charity providing advice, advocacy, and campaigning for the rights and accessibility of disabled motorists.

With a nationwide membership and with over 16.1 million disabled people in the UK, millions of whom rely on private transport, DMUK is dedicated to empowering independence and ensuring journeys are accessible from home to destination. Its aim is to improve parking, road safety, EV infrastructure and access provision for disabled people, while also supporting scooter and wheelchair users, families and carers.

DMUK works with local authorities, government bodies, Blue Badge fraud investigators, parking operators, service stations, and disability organisations. DMUK runs the Baywatch campaign to tackle Blue Badge misuse and shares ownership of the Park Access accreditation. www.disabledmotoring.org

Parking connects across borders

The European Parking Association gathered in Brussels to discuss the future of mobility

Parking is no longer a standalone technical service, but a strategic lever for reshaping cities, enabling sustainable mobility, and driving climate action. This was among the key themes that emerged from the European Parking Conference, which took place in Brussels in September. The conference is a key gathering of the European Parking Association (EPA), the umbrella organisation for Europe’s national parking associations and the wider parking and urban mobility sectors.

Across the conference, partnerships and cross-sector cooperation emerged as recurring themes. From electric vehicle (EV) charging and artificial intelligence (AI) to urban logistics and enforcement, experts highlighted the need for transparency, fairness, and trust in data and policy. The event’s theme, ‘Reshaping urban space: How parking connects cities’, saw the EPA explore how parking facilities should be recognised as key enablers for sustainable mobility, urban logistics, societal resilience and EV adoption.

The 21st European Parking Conference & Exhibition saw mobility leaders, policymakers and industry specialists from across Europe share their thoughts in speeches, policy sessions and workshops. The two-day conference also saw the presentation of the European Parking Awards, the unveiling of a new EPA board, the launch of Women in Parking in Europe and the affirmation of a major alliance of parking, city and logistics organisations.

Putting parking policy centre stage

The European Parking Conference programme featured contributions by a number of politicians. The welcome speech was delivered by Anaïs Maes, alderwoman for town planning, public spaces, road works and mobility at the City of Brussels.

The keynote addresses included a video message from Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism, who confirmed the sector’s longstanding view that “parking is not the problem, it is part of the solution.”

Belgian minister of defence and foreign trade Theo Francke told delegates that underground parking also has a role in civil defence, citing his own recent experience in Ukraine as proof that such infrastructure can be repurposed as shelters or even drone factories.

On-stage debates provided platforms for viewpoints from the likes of: Karen Vancluysen, secretary general of POLIS; Joost Vantomme, chief executive of ERTICO – ITS Europe; Paola Cossu, chief executive of FIT Consulting and board member of ALICE; and Dr Giuliano Mingardo, deputy director of the Erasmus Centre for Urban, Port and Transport Economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

The closing keynote speech was delivered by André Sobczak, secretary general of Eurocities, who underlined the common challenge that cities and the parking sector face: limited public space must serve many purposes, at times conflicting, and therefore creative solutions need to be found together.

A united approach

The European Parking Conference celebrated a milestone at the conference with the signing of a joint statement between the EPA, POLIS (a network of European cities and regions working on sustainable urban mobility and transport innovation), and ALICE (which stands for the Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe).

The joint statement marks a new chapter in the three organisations long-standing cooperation focussed on advancing zeroemission urban mobility and logistics, fostering policy dialogue, and promoting stakeholder engagement across Europe. By bringing together the complementary expertise of cities and regions (POLIS), parking and kerbside management (EPA), and logistics innovation and decarbonisation (ALICE), their alliance provides a strategic platform for dialogue, innovation, and co-creation.

The partners’ joint work has already inspired EU research and projects such as DISCO, the Data-driven, Integrated, Syncromodal, Collaborative and Optimised urban freight meta-model.

The joint statement serves both as a reflection of this journey and a call to action for wider engagement in building sustainable, competitive and integrated urban logistics solutions.

European Women in Parking

The EPA launched the European Women in Parking (E-WiP) network, a new initiative dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and leadership in the parking and mobility sector.

The launch session featured contributions from: Giovanna Piras (Automatic Systems, EPA board member and E-WiP cochair), who outlined her vision for the upcoming mentoring program; Unity5’s Hannah Fuller, who spoke from her UK experience of building similar initiatives, underlined the importance of ‘finding your tribe’ and inspired participants with her uplifting and energizing perspective; and Yasmin Jefferies (BPA, EPA and E-WiP co-chair), who led the panel on the initiative’s importance for the sector.

New leadership

The gathering also saw changes in the senior leadership of the European Parking Association as Theo Thuis was elected as the EPA’s new president. Thuis was nominated as a consensus candidate by the Bulgarian Association for Parking and Sustainable Urban Mobility (BAPSUM). He takes over from the Britain’s Nigel Williams, who served as president for three years, and now becomes president emeritus.

Peter Dingemans, nominated by Dutch parking platform VEXPAN, was elected vice president, replacing Stefan Sadleder, who stepped down from the board and will join the newly elected policy and strategy committee. europeanparking.eu

Key takeaways

Lessons learned from the 21st European Parking Conference:

• Parking as policy: Central to Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs), parking management shapes travel behaviour, urban design, climate outcomes and the use of public space.

• Collaboration is essential: Partnerships across municipalities, operators and the private sector are the foundation for successful solutions.

• People-first cities: Parking policy can support walkable, healthier, more inclusive urban environments, reducing car dependency.

• New mobility services and hubs: Shared mobility, MaaS (mobility as a service), and mobility hubs need strong data, fair pricing, and adaptable regulation – covering both dense cities and rural areas.

• EV charging integration: Charging infrastructure and parking must be planned together and on a reasonable basis, balancing availability, usage needs, accessibility, safety, demand, grid capacity, and public space.

• Cybersecurity readiness: Attacks are inevitable; awareness training, external expertise, and embedding cybersecurity across organisations are vital.

• Urban logistics and multifunctional spaces: Flexible, datadriven use of urban and parking space unlocks value and investment.

• Digitalisation and enforcement: Cross-border enforcement remains fragmented at best, impossible at worst. Harmonised digital tools and functioning EU-level frameworks are needed.

• Automated Valet Parking: The technology is nearly ready –the next steps involve standards, user trust and market acceptance.

• Diversity and inclusion: Initiatives such as European Women in Parking underline the importance of representation and engagement in shaping the sector’s future.

• AI for smarter parking management: “AI will not replace managers. But managers who use AI will replace those who don’t.” AI is less about technology itself than enabling smarter decision-making, better customer experience and sustainable growth.

• European Mobility Data Space (EMDS): The sector is exploring opportunities for parking within Europe’s digitalisation agenda. EPA expressed interest in developing a dedicated “European Parking Data Space” as a feeder to the EMDS, raising awareness of standards, best practice and stakeholder benefits.

Rewarding smarter parking

European Parking Awards winners revealed

Parking professionals gathered in Brussels to learn who had won 2025 European Parking Awards, the competition celebrating best practice in car park design, policy and technology. There is also an emphasis on recognising the role of parking in the wider urban mobility sector. The awards ceremony took place at the end of the European Parking Association (EPA) Conference.

Tribute to Donald Shoup

The EPA’s vice-president Stefan Sadleder and executive director Tom Antonissen opened the event opened with a commemoration of Professor Donald Shoup, the world-renowned American expert in parking and urban policy. The tribute recognised Shoup’s pioneering research, his influential book The High Cost of Free Parking, and his ability to communicate the complexities of parking policy with clarity and insight.

Professor Daniel Hess from the University of Buffalo reflected on Shoup’s life and work, while Laurence Bannerman, president emeritus of the EPA, presented a European Parking Award for Excellence in his memory, to be conveyed to his wife Pat Shoup.

Celebrating excellence in parking

EPA vice-president Stefan Sadleder highlighted how parking has transformed from a static function into a dynamic, digital, and customer-focussed element of urban mobility. The awards, he stressed, are a reflection of the industry’s progress and future vision. Sadleder said that this year’s record number of 54 entries showcase the sector’s strengths in innovation, design, sustainability, accessibility and integration.

The Winners

Best New Parking Structure

Q-Park Belgium: Zuiderdokken (Belgium)

Parcheggi Italia: Best in Parking Bergamo Città Alta (Italy)

Best Renovation of an Existing Parking Structure

Parcus: Renovation of the P3 Wilson car park in Strasbourg (France)

Best On-street Parking Project

SIS Mobility Solutions: Smart Parking and Adaptive Recognition in Monopoli (Italy)

Best Innovation in Parking

Skidata and Dukaten: LinPark 2.0 by Skidata (Sweden)

Best Marketing and Communications Campaign

Indigo: Parking that moves the city (France)

Best Approach to Smart Mobility

Q-Park Netherlands: Mobility Hub The Hague Centrum (Netherlands)

Best Digitalisation of a Parking Project or Service

Egis Projects SAS: EVS Permit System (Netherlands)

Best ESG Initiative

Consortium RRA LUR-LUZ-IPoP: Parking Policy Guidelines (Slovenia).

Two neighbouring local authorities are working together to appoint a new parking enforcement contractor.

Reading Council has joined forces with Oxfordshire County Council to launch a joint procurement exercise.

It is proposed that the procurement exercise will commence in October 2025 and continue during 2026 with commencement of new contracts expected in April or October 2027.

Both Reading Borough Council and Oxfordshire County Council have been using Trellint to provide parking enforcement services under separate contracts.

It is anticipated Oxfordshire will undertake the legal and procurement process with Reading contributing to costs. A budget sum of £30,000 has been allocated for legal and procurement fees.

Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire County Council has been responsible for civil parking enforcement in Oxford City since 1997. During 2021 it assumed responsibility for enforcement in Cherwell, Vale of White Horse, and South Oxfordshire District Councils, and then West Oxfordshire in 2023. These contracts were awarded to Conduent who were sold on 1 April 2024 to Modaxo who are now trading as Trellint.

In April 2022 the council successfully applied to the Secretary of State for the powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions such as prohibited vehicles, banned turns and School Streets. As a result, the council has five civil enforcement contracts which, subject to completion of extension negotiations, will all expire in April 2026.

The council also operates a road user charging scheme, the Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) under the Transport Act 2000. The scheme started as a pilot in February 2022. The original contract awarded to Conduent Public Sector UK was in place for the initial pilot stage. A new contract is also required for continued enforcement of the Zero Emission Zone.

Following cabinet approval in February 2025 to procure enhanced multi-contactor contracts for the civil enforcement and ZEZ operation, consultant Parking Matters was appointed alongside legal specialist Ashford’s to work with officers to develop new specifications, pricing schedules and contract terms. After market engagement and discussion with other local authorities, the requirements were packaged to provide the most appropriate routes to market.

Reading

In September, Reading Borough Council discussed commencing a procurement exercise – independently or in partnership with other councils – for parking enforcement, permits, penalty charge notice processing and postal services. Reading’s contract with Trellint commenced October 2023, and the initial term expires in October 2027. It has a total value of £2m.

The council has an option under the existing contract to extend it. However, Trellint has indicated that it is exiting the parking

Oxfordshire and Reading launch joint procurement

Neighbouring local authorities unite in search for new contractors as incumbent operator Trellint decides not to seek reappointment

enforcement market and would not be content for the contract to be extended beyond October 2027. Oxfordshire’s contract expires in April 2027 at the latest.

A report to Reading’s policy committee by Phil Grant, parking services manager, suggested that the similar expiry periods presented an opportunity for both councils to benefit from economies of scale through procuring collaboratively.

The intention would be for each council to have its own contract, but with the procurement dealt with jointly.

Grant wrote: “Trellint intends to honour the remainder of the parking enforcement contract but wishes, subject to the agreement of the council, to subcontract the remainder of the contract term to another experienced company. It has also indicated that it may consent to a mutually agreed early termination should that assist the council in achieving a smooth transition of service provider. Any subcontractor would have appropriate due diligence and scrutiny undertaken with it before being authorised to undertake the activity at no additional cost.”

Reading’s contract extends beyond Oxfordshire’s by six months and this will be a material consideration in relation to possible early termination of Reading Borough

Council’s contract with Trellint.

Reading’s council’s contract for penalty charge notice (PCN) processing, permit management and postal services also expires October 2027. These services are currently provided by a different supplier so there is a plan to procure a new contract for these services at the same time.

“Aggregation of contracts in this manner may lead to improved pricing and positive impact on each council’s finances,” wrote Grant. However, steps will be taken to ensure that doing so would not hamper small/medium enterprises from bidding as required under the National Procurement Policy Statement (e.g. permitting consortium bids). In a marketplace that has few suppliers, procuring at the same time as with a neighbouring authority can lead to lost opportunities and unbalanced competitive tension in the market; whilst procuring together simplifies the opportunity for bidders and puts the combined authorities in a stronger position to require competitive bids.

“By joining with Oxfordshire County Council, the procurement value will be much higher and therefore attract wider interest for both service areas. A joint procurement will also reduce costs and demand on resources for both authorities.”

Trellint’s future focus will be on software

Trellint has issued a statement regarding its decision to focus on software services rather than supplyiing front line staff. “Modaxo Traffic Management UK, trading as Trellint, has made the strategic decision to transition away from 'feet on the street' operational enforcement services. This area, which was a legacy focus under previous ownership, no longer aligns with Trellint’s renewed commitment to delivering software and technical solutions for the Local Authority parking sector. Accordingly, Trellint will not pursue the future operational service contracts with Oxfordshire County Council and Reading Borough Council once the current agreements conclude. Trellint remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of service until contract completion, while continuing to invest in and develop innovative software solutions as a trusted partner to local authorities.”

Westminster marshal retires at 88

Fine farewell: Oldest parking officer retires after 25 years on patrol

After a 25-year career working for Westminster City Council, Nazmi Sedrak is hanging up his hi-vis at the age of 88.

Sedrak is thought to be Britain’s oldest parking patrol officer, or marshal as they are known in Westminster.

Since joining the City of Westminster in 2000, working for parking contractors NSL, he has been keeping Westminster’s streets safe, orderly, and accessible.

Known for his warm smile and keen sense of fairness, Sedrak’s earned the admiration of residents and colleagues alike.

It is estimated that Sedrak has issued more than 50,000 fines during his time in Westminster

On 10 October, the Lord Mayor of Westminster welcomed Sedrak for tea in his office at Westminster City Hall

and presented him with a gift of cufflinks to celebrate his long years of service.

The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg said: “It was a pleasure to host Nazmi, it’s the least we can do for his 25 years of valued service. I’m so pleased to have met him before he

retires and hear about his experiences in Westminster and how much the city has evolved.

“I want to thank him for all his hard work and service in Westminster even in later life –it really shows that age is just a number. I hope that I’m still as active as Nazmi when I’m his age.”

Harrison takes lead role at DCB Legal

DCB Legal has appointed Eddie Harrison as its new managing director. Based in Runcorn, Cheshire, DCB Legal is the legal services arm of debt resolution company DCBL. The firm offers legal solutions for debt resolution, civil and commercial litigation, and landlord and tenant services. Harrison has been tasked with spearheading growth and innovation.

Harrison oversaw the building of debt collection processes for Revolut UK, managing the end-toend journey for retail credit portfolios. He was responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance, optimising in-house and outsourced collections with advanced technology and analytics, and delivering best-inclass contact and cure rates.

Prior to that, Harrison held senior roles at Lowell Solicitors, Overdales Legal, and APN Group, He began his career working on doorstep recoveries for BrightHouse before moving into the office environment.

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

We’re Arrive. Our mission is to be the leading global urban mobility provider connecting technology, solutions, and decades of experience to make cities more livable

With more of us living in cities, getting where we want to go has become more difficult than it needs to be. Urban mobility can be easier. Life in cities can be better. And Arrive is here to help make it happen.

With our technology, solutions, and decades of experience in keeping cities moving, Arrive helps people and decision-makers make better choices about urban mobility to make travel easier. From smart payments and optimised parking to data-driven traffic reduction and reinvestment in public transport and green space — we can make cities more livable.

Because when it’s easier to move in cities, life is easier for everyone. That’s why we’re here to guide you forward. Making it easier to make the right choices and take the right action.

Together, what once were Flowbird Group, Parkopedia, and EasyPark Group will make a bigger difference as Arrive. We’re bringing Flowbird and RingGo together under Arrive — a single organisation that combines trusted hardware, data insights and world-leading digital services.

So that together, we can all Arrive where we need to be.

70+ years experience of mobility innovation

It Begins In Sweden

Cale installed their first parking meters

EasyPark App

EasyPark launch their first App

A Home in France

Parkeon install their first pay machines in Paris

Parkopedia App Parkopedia launch their first App

Parkopedia Partners Parkopedia partner with Lexus and BMW

Flowbird x YPS

Flowbird acquire YourParkingSpace and majority share of Piconet

EasyPark Acquisitions

EasyPark acquire MPLA in Czech Republic and Handyparken in Austria

Hello Parkopedia Parkopedia is founded in London, UK

SNCF Partnership

Parkeon manufacture the first ticket vending machine for France’s national rail company, SNCF

Expanding to Italy

EasyPark acquire Telepark and Sostafacile in Italy

EasyPark x ParkNow Group

EasyPark acquire Park Now Group, including RingGo and ParkMobile in the UK, US and more

Going International EasyPark expand to Germany, Finland and Norway

Going Solar

Parkeon P&D machines gain realtime connectivity and solar panels

Hej EasyPark

EasyPark founded in Stockholm, starting with only 9 car parking spaces

Bonjour Flowbird Parkeon and Cale merge to become Flowbird

EasyPark x Parkimeter

EasyPark acquire Parkimeter, expanding to Spain, Italy, and Portugal

EasyPark x Flowbird

EasyPark acquire Flowbird

Flowbird x Yellowbrick

Flowbird acquire Yellowbrick

EasyPark x Parkopedia

EasyPark acquire Parkopedia

Together, we make cities more livable. This is our North Star and it’s why Arrive exists

Chris Head Regional Director, UK & Ireland

What excites you most about this next chapter for Arrive in the UK & Ireland?

“For more than a decade, operators have known us as Flowbird on payment terminals and RingGo for mobile parking. Now, under Arrive, we are bringing that heritage together — into a single organisation that unites trusted hardware, data insights and world-leading digital services.

“I’m incredibly proud to lead a team of dedicated, talented parking professionals who are deeply committed to our clients up and down the country. Their knowledge, responsiveness and pride in supporting customers is what makes us different.

“With Arrive, public and private customers can rely on continuity, while additionally benefitting from the scale and innovation of a global platform. Our payment terminals, data services and the RingGo app already work seamlessly together but now we can go further. As Arrive, we deliver something bigger: solutions that don’t just collect revenue, but help cities cut congestion, improve air quality, and make their communities more liveable.”

How will Arrive’s vision of making cities more livable come to life in UK and Irish towns and cities?

“For me, making cities more livable isn’t an abstract idea — it’s about delivering real, practical outcomes: reducing congestion on the high street, giving people more choice in how they pay, and freeing up council resources to reinvest in things like public transport and greener spaces.

“In practice, that means helping towns and cities run systems that ‘just work’ — whether a customer uses cash or card at a terminal, pays on their phone, or benefits from fairer digital tariffs.

“Looking ahead, RingGo will evolve into a true consumer brand within a vibrant open market made possible by the National Parking Platform, but today it remains a trusted part of the ecosystem alongside our hardware and data services. That makes Arrive a safe and attractive partner for any operator that wants continuity now, while also preparing for a more digital, open, and sustainable future.”

RingGo is one of the most recognised names in UK parking. Will this change as Arrive brings the portfolio together?

“RingGo isn’t going anywhere — it is loved and trusted by over 11 million individual motorists every year and that’s a huge strength. What’s evolving is the market itself. In the UK, RingGo will remain our consumer-facing brand — the everyday app you can rely on. But behind that sits Arrive, a broader ecosystem that cities and operators use to deliver digital mobility solutions.

“So the relationship is clear — RingGo is part of Arrive, and will remain the motorist’s brand while Arrive is the partner for cities and operators. Together, we bring the trusted RingGo brand to motorists, supported by Arrive’s comprehensive suite of digital services and solutions.”

The National Parking Platform is reshaping the UK market. What does this mean for RingGo’s journey from a trusted B2G partner to a consumer brand?

“The National Parking Platform marks a real turning point for parking in the UK — for the first time, motorists will have a genuine choice, while making life simpler for authorities and private operators without the need for constant re-tendering.

“For RingGo, this means moving beyond being a trusted partner for operators to becoming a brand that actively competes for motorists in an open market. That’s exciting, because it gives us the opportunity to build a deeper relationship with motorists while continuing to deliver the reliability and trust that cities and operators rely on.”

Sarah Hubbard Head of Business Development

Hardware still plays a big role in the parking landscape. How do you see its place alongside mobile and digital solutions?

“At Arrive, we believe in giving motorists equitable access to payment options. Whether you prefer paying through an app, tapping your card, or using cash, we want to make sure the right choices are available. It’s all about giving motorists flexibility and ensuring no one gets left behind.

“It’s no longer productive for any parking transaction to sit ‘offline’ and disconnected. Every payment — whether it’s at a terminal, through an app or via a permit — should feed into a fully connected, digital ecosystem. That’s the only way operators can truly understand demand, make smarter tariff and policy decisions, and create a seamless experience for motorists.

“For too long, the high cost of hardware ownership and upgrades has forced operators into difficult trade-offs about how much choice they can realistically provide. We want to change that. By modernising estates and connecting every channel into a digital ecosystem, we enable decisions to be driven by data and customer demand — not by cost constraints. That allows authorities and private operators to maintain inclusive payment choice, while ensuring their hardware delivers real digital value throughout its lifecycle.”

We’ve heard about Arrive’s ambitions for Pay-onArrival, but what are you doing to transform the Pay-on-Exit experience, and how does RingGo’s Scan & Pay solution fit in?

“Off-street parking is evolving fast and today’s motorists expect the same smooth, digital experience in accesscontrolled car parks as they do on-street, with the freedom to pay however suits them best. That’s where RingGo’s Scan & Pay comes in.

“By working seamlessly with leading ANPR, barrier, and ticketing systems, RingGo enables motorists to pay on exit using just their phone either by scanning a ticket barcode or looking up their number plate. This means no queues, no scrambling around for coins, and no stress.

“For motorists, it makes parking quick, easy, and hasslefree through the RingGo app, already trusted by millions nationwide. And for operators, the benefits are just as clear: less pressure on pay stations, shorter queues, happier customers, and fully connected car parks that deliver valuable data insights and new commercial opportunities.”

Sally Wheeler Head of Account Management

Your team supports hundreds of local authority and private sector customers. What are they telling you they value most right now?

“The number one thing we hear is the need for reliability, consistency, and trust. Whether it’s a local council managing busy high streets or a private operator running a diverse portfolio of car parks, they need confidence that our solutions just work — and that when things change, they’ve got a partner who will help them adapt. That’s what our customers value: the assurance that with Arrive, they’re not just buying technology, they’re building a long-term partnership.”

How are you helping customers get the best out of their parking solutions — whether that’s through the RingGo app or through payment terminals?

“Our role is to make sure every customer is realising maximum value from the solutions they’ve invested in. For app customers, that can mean anything from using data insights to refine tariffs and reduce congestion, to supporting their transition to the National Parking Platform.

“For hardware customers, it’s about ensuring their payment terminals are digitally connected and ready for the future — while giving them the flexibility to offer multiple payment options. The common thread is support: whether it’s RingGo or terminals, we’re there to make sure the whole solution is performing for them and motorists.”

Together, what once were Flowbird Group, Parkopedia, and EasyPark Group will make a bigger difference as Arrive. We’re bringing established brands together under Arrive — a single organisation that combines trusted hardware, data insights and world-leading digital services.

Managing parking is a balancing act that requires meeting the sometimes competing needs of residents, businesses and the many visitors to an area. Being able to engage with these different users in a polite and clear manner helps transform the management and enforcement of parking into a public service.

‘Mystery shopping’ exercises are one way to assess how effectively staff interact with the public when handling parking related enquiries and to identify opportunities for improvement. Perth & Kinross Council collaborated with consultancy Alpha Parking to conduct a comprehensive review of its onstreet parking attendants and notice processing telephone operations.

Alpha Parking’s review focussed on several key areas:

• staff rotas and shift times

• parking beat locations

• a schedule of agreed questions developed in collaboration with Perth & Kinross Council

• the current uniform policy.

The assessment provided Perth & Kinross with insights into staff scheduling, service efficiency, and communication standards, offering valuable recommendations to enhance the council’s parking management strategy.

Welcome to Perth & Kinross

Perth and Kinross is one of the 32 local authority areas of Scotland. This largely rural council area is based in the town of Perth, which sits on the banks of the River Tay. The parking services team manages both car parks and on-street parking, with parking attendants and the back office all being inhouse staff.

Alongside serving residents and businesses, the parking team engages with visitors. The region attracts a lot of tourist traffic, with sightseers drawn to the Cairngorms National Park, Trossachs National Park, the Forest of Atholl, picturesque lochs, historic towns and villages, and many, many castles.

A community-focussed service

The Community Support & Enforcement Team at Perth & Kinross Council manages a wide range of services, including providing resident and business permits, ensuring Blue Badge bays are available to those with disabilities, managing parking regulations and enforcement of a ban on pavement parking.

Formed through a merger of the Parking & Civil Contingencies Team and the Safer Communities Team, the team manages onand off-street enforcement across 2,041 square miles and 1,823 miles of public roads. They operate over 60 off-street car parks and hold 25 Park Mark awards. This diverse team includes veterans and reservists, reflecting a strong commitment to public service and the Armed Forces Covenant.

Understanding how both the frontline parking attendants and the back office parking staff engaged with the public across a range of scenarios was a core aspect of the mystery shopping exercises conducted by Alpha Parking.

Road testing a service

Perth & Kinross Council commissioned Alpha Parking to assess how front line and customer-facing staff interact with the public

Mystery shopping: Key areas of assessment

Parking attendants on-street

Alpha Parking reviewed staff rotas and schedules to improve coverage and responsiveness. The consultant evaluated enforcement areas to ensure efficient service delivery.

The evaluation enabled the development of a set of standardised enquiry handling questions to improve consistency in public interactions.

Alpha also assessed Perth & Kinross’ uniform policies and professional standards to align with the council’s public image.

Notice processing officers

Alpha Parking created a standardised set of questions to ensure clear and consistent responses. The consultant assessed how effectively essential details, such as main contact numbers and shift times, were communicated.

Alpha conducted a two-week schedule of test calls at different times to evaluate performance and responsiveness.

Recommendations

The mystery shopping exercise revealed that Perth & Kinross’ parking attendants demonstrated high levels of professionalism, politeness, and helpfulness, reinforcing their role as key public-facing representatives.

Notice processing officers were found to perform well overall, but some areas for improvement were identified, particularly in ensuring consistency and clarity in responses. The insights from the review will help the council streamline operations, improve customer experience, and enhance public satisfaction with parking services.

Stewart Skene, Perth & Kinross’ community support and enforcement team leader has responsibility for parking, Blue Badges, civil contingencies and community safety.

He says: “The overall impression is one of competence and readiness to assist, suggesting a well-maintained parking

operation with attentive and knowledgeable staff. This independent review provides strong external validation of the team’s commitment to customer service excellence, training effectiveness, and continuous improvement.

“This in-depth review has provided Perth & Kinross Council with valuable recommendations to strengthen staff engagement, operational efficiency, and customer service standards. By acting on these insights, the council is set to enhance the overall effectiveness of its parking operations.”

Alpha Parking is a UK parking consultancy working with private and public parking operations, providing a one-stop shop service for all parking needs both on and off-street. Its services include parking surveys, training and Traffic Orders. www.aparking.co.uk

Creating connec t ions

Mobility Hubs 2025 showcased the design, development and delivery of local travel points

2025

Mobility hubs bring together a range of transport options and community facilities in a single, attractive place, making it easier for people to travel without using private cars. Placed strategically on key travel corridors, they bring together established forms of transport such as walking, cycling, buses and shared cars, as well as bus and rail. Mobility hubs also encourage the uptake of new modes such electric scooters and cargo bikes. Well-designed hubs can support communities by providing information on a locality and enhance the urban realm by offering safe and attractive spaces in which to sit, wait and meet.

Mobility Hubs 2025, hosted by Bristol City Council, looked at the practical realities of designing, developing and managing hubs. The event considered issues such as raising revenue, providing real-time data, electric vehicle charging as well as ensuring a safety, accessibility, and a positive user experience. Through case studies, expert panels, and real-world examples, the 4th annual Landor LINKS Mobility Hubs event unpacked what makes a successful hub. Delegates were able to take part in a guided tour of multiple live mobility hub sites across Bristol. The tour showcased how the city is integrating shared transport, electric vehicle charging and improved public space. Insights into the implementation of the hubs were provided by the team from the West of England Combined Mayoral Authority and lead contractor Meristem Design.

Landor LINKS is planning Mobility Hubs 2026

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

Bristol City Council is planning a greener future

Bristol City Council has a vision of creating a wellconnected city that enables people to move around efficiently with increased transport options that are accessible and inclusive, while also helping achieve net zero by 2030. Cllr Ed Plowden, portfolio holder for transport, explored how the city is working to address traffic congestion, improve air quality, a challenging bus market, high levels of car ownership and a need to provide more housing.

All these elements are in play in the city’s landmark Temple Meads regeneration project. The new Southern Gateway transport hub will see the creation of a standalone secure cycle building, new bus stops, improved walking and cycling routes, and a new multi-storey car park.

Cllr Plowden welcomed the work being done by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to create a network of mobility hubs that connect bus and active travel options.

He also flagged up the benefits that could be achieved by better integrating the various travel apps that populate people’s mobile phones.

Building a mobility network

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s mobility hubs are live, reports Matthew Ledbury

Effective collaboration between partners is essential if networks of mobility hubs are to be successfully delivered. A network of ten mobility hubs has been developed in the Bristol area on a 12-month trial basis. The first of these opened at the University of the West of England’s Frenchay campus in Stoke Gifford in November 2024. Development of the hubs has been led by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, and funded out of the £24m Future Transport Zone allocation that the authority received from the Department for Transport.

Amanda Edmondson, mobility hubs project manager at the combined authority, outlined the complexity of hub delivery. Stakeholders that had to be brought together included the combined authority, the relevant unitary authorities, landowners, community groups, consultancies, contractors and local artists, meaning that partnership working was essential from the start.

An additional challenge for the combined authority is that even though it is leading the development of the hubs, its powers are limited due to it not having transport responsibilities or owning any land.

“If you don’t own the land, building a relationship with the landowner is crucial,” she said. “Land ownership has to be clarified early to remove any sites with complexities. In some places it wasn’t clear who actually owned the site which restricted what could be delivered, and three of the proposed trial sites had to be dropped because of this issue.”

The conference heard that the Bristol trial features three different types of hubs. These include:

• corridor hubs, which are focussed on bus stops on routes with a high frequency service

• campus hubs at destination points that attract high numbers of trips such as universities

• community hubs in local neighbourhood centres.

Green and pleasant places

Meristem Design is delivering mobility hubs

Meristem Design was the main contractor on the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority mobility hubs project. It designed, built and installed 10 hubs located around South Gloucestershire, across Bristol and at the University of the West of England. Habib Khan, managing director for Meristem Design, explained how each hub offers features such as parklets and planters, bike storage, solar lighting, Wi-Fi, seating and defibrillators. Khan said: “The project supports a greener, more connected future for the West of England, setting a model for cities across the UK. By transforming how people move around the region, the mobility hubs offer convenient, integrated transport options that help reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.”

One of the hubs also has the additional advantage of being sited next to Portway, an existing park & ride railway station.

Once the trial period for each of the hubs draws to a close, decisions on their longer-term future will be taken, based on monitoring and evaluation of their effectiveness.

Some funding has already been allocated to create an extended maintenance fund for South Gloucestershire Council and Bristol City Council to take the hubs on, although this will only last for three years and beyond this they will have to find new sources of funding to finance the hubs themselves.

A key feature of the hubs has been the consideration of their visual appeal. Meristem Design, a company that specialises in ‘urban greening’, has been responsible for designing and installing the hubs. A common feature is the use of modular design seating, with plants used to improve their attractiveness.

Bristol-based artists have also been commissioned to create artworks to reflect the hub’s local identity, giving local communities the opportunity to shape their colour, look and feel.

Currently the hubs lack any car club vehicles, partly due to the lack of any revenue funding being available for them. Some commercial facilities are being developed though, with parcel lockers being introduced at some of the hubs.

Design and delivery

Creating Local Travel Points in the West Midlands

Transport for West Midlands is creating a network of mobility hubs. The ‘Local Travel Points’ are being rolled out at key locations including high streets, rail and bus stations, housing developments and community centres. The scheme aims to ease transition between types of travel and encourage use of shared or active travel modes like cycling, walking, hire bikes and e-scooters.

The main contractor on the Transport for West Midlands project is Trueform, a specialist in passenger transport systems such as bus shelters and digital wayfinding. Robert Davis, sustainable travel lead at Trueform, told delegates at Mobility Hubs: “Local Travel Points bring together a range of transport and community services in one attractive place.”

Each Local Travel Point offers a range of services, including: cycle hire; bike repair and storage; car clubs; electric vehicle charging; travel information; wayfinding; parcel lockers; and a canopied social space and seating.

The look of the Local Travel Points was developed by Trueform in collaboration with JedCo Product Design. Ed Griffiths, JedCo’s

Painting a picture in real-time

BetaStreets enables you to visualise streetscapes

BetaStreets is a purpose-built software design platform that aims to transform the way people design streets and places. BetaStreets combines photos of the present with assets from a library of things to create a vision of the future of an urban space in a matter of minutes.

BetaStreets co-founders Jon Little and Andy Heather demonstrated how BetaStreets can be used to develop ideas for mobility hubs. Jon Little said: “BetaStreets lets you produce highquality visualisations wherever you are working. The browser-based software can be used on a desktop, in design surgeries, at public events or even at the kerbside.”

BetaStreets Pro is available for subscription. BetaStreets is also

creative director, said the design process considered the way each element interacted with one another so as to create a modular, safe, well-lit and easily navigable system. “In order to create a strong sense of locality, Jedco began the project by visiting the site and undertaking research into local history and landmarks, with the intention of creating a distinct and recognisable visual language for the Local Travel Points,” he said. “We created rendered impression visuals so the designs could attain approval and go through the public consultation processes. Once given the green light we then developed detailed manufacturing drawings, working closely with the manufacturers to ensure design intent was retained throughout.”

Reviewing the project’s impact, Trueform’s Robert Davis said the Local Travel Points have:

• improved accessibility by bringing travel options closer to communities

• encouraged sustainable transportation

• promoted physical activity

• enhanced connectivity by creating connection points between different modes

• reduced traffic by promoting alternative modes of transport

• fostered a sense of community engagement in a centralised location.

available as a platform for local authorities, consultancies, campaigns and projects. Specialist versions have been used by the London Cycling Campaign, Lambeth Council, material suppliers and mobility providers.

Planning for the future

SLR Consulting believes in a ‘vision-led’ approach

A‘Vision-led Planning’ approach can identify placemaking and mobility interventions to realise desired outcomes of a new development, said Paul Curtis, director of transport and mobility planning at SLR Consulting. Vision-led transport planning is based on setting outcomes for a development based on achieving well-designed, sustainable and popular places, and providing transport solutions to deliver those solutions as opposed to predicting future demand to provide capacity –often referred to as ‘predict and provide’.

Attracting investment

Building the economic case for mobility hubs

England’s Economic Heartland is the sub-national transport body for the region stretching from Swindon and Oxfordshire across to Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Mobility hubs are places where public transport, active travel, and shared mobility converge, which is why EEH sees them as key to reducing car dependency, improving connectivity, and supporting sustainable growth. This is why EEH has published advice on how private sector investment in mobility hubs can be unlocked across the region.

Trevor Brennan, EEH’s project lead, explained how the advise was developed in collaboration with KPMG and informed by a cross-sector workshop. The resulting Mobility Hubs: White Paper sets out practical steps to overcome barriers to delivery and scale up deployment of these vital transport nodes.

Brennan said: “The White Paper proposes a new delivery model based on aggregating sites into investable portfolios, monetising services such as electric vehicle charging and retail, and managing risk through long-term governance structures. It also

Mapping progress and potential

CoMoUK is championing the role of mobility hubs

Curtis illustrated this approach with a project in Scotland. Following engagement with community groups and stakeholders, Dumfries & Galloway Council identified a need for several multi-functional mobility hubs to provide services including car and bike sharing, secure cycle parking, and EV charging for the use of residents and tourists. Some designs need to include solar panel canopies and battery storage, whilst others will also afford access to bus and logistics operators.

Dumfries & Galloway Council required expert consultancy advice to appraise the optimal mobility hub components, bespoke for each site, as well as the precise locations to offer the maximum benefit to communities and encourage uptake.

Curtis said: “The council appointed SLR, which deployed its mobility hub design team, which offers cross-sector competencies in: transport and mobility planning; architecture and design; and electrical engineering and grid connection.”

SLR conducted market engagement with shared mobility service and EV charging providers. It also confirmed suitable locations for the hubs and analysed grid connection options. The team then drafted layouts and illustrations of the hubs comprising the different components recommended for each site, as well as drawings showing access points.

Curtis said: “SLR’s report included a set of recommendations regarding the optimal hub components, locations, illustrations and drawings for Dumfries & Galloway. This has provided the client with the necessary evidence to proceed to the detailed design, planning and delivery stages. The hubs will ultimately provide residents and tourists with modern mobility services and assist the transition towards a low carbon economy.”

introduces the concept of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to streamline delivery and reduce risk for both public and private partners.”

Collaborative mobility charity CoMoUk has been working on hubs in depth since 2019. This spans publications including guidance and accreditation as well as supporting stakeholders interested in hubs and providing consultancy services to public authorities about hubs.

CoMoUK has developed an accreditation for mobility hubs which assesses them against six success factors: choice of sustainable modes; visibility and accessibility; ease of switching; safety; practical facilities; and visual, social and community appeal. The accreditation has different levels (bronze, silver, gold).

The charity has also created an online map of mobility hubs across Britain that shows operational and planned projects.

Will Airey, consultancy and research officer at CoMoUK, said that with growing public and political interest, now is the time to take stock and set direction.

He said: “As mobility hubs gain in popularity across the UK, a clearer picture is emerging of where provision is flourishing, where gaps remain, and what’s needed to scale up with consistency and ambition.”

The business of mobility

APCOA is creating an urban mobility hub portfolio

Parking operator APCOA has placed providing mobility hubs at the centre of its business. It defines an ‘Urban Mobility Hub’ as a community focal point that creates a principle point of access to multiple mobility modes as well as a range of community related services. Adam Richards, head of commercial asset management at APCOA, said that by promoting shared travel, mobility hubs enhance the international group’s sustainability credentials.

“The APCOA mobility hub journey began in 2023 when it launched a site in a car park in Carmarthen, South Wales,” he said. The Carmarthen project saw a car park in the Welsh town transformed into a hub for urban logistics and the local community. The hub offers facilities to support for cars, bikes, mobility scooters, trains, buses and taxis, with an information screen displaying live departures of trains and buses in the area. The hub also provides seating, collection lockers, food and drink vending, and free Wi-Fi.

A number of companies have been attracted to the site since the mobility hub opened, including We Buy Any Car and an Autoglass Car Repair centre. “It is important that mobility hubs are financially sustainable,” said Richards.

This summer saw APCOA start operating the Ancoats Mobility Hub, a Manchester City Council project that combines a multistorey car park with mobility services and additional facilities to serve the local community. The Ancoats regeneration scheme has

More than just a car park

Q-Park is becoming a sustainable mobility provider

Car park operator Q-Park is aiming to develop its facilities into vital instruments to help realise urban accessibility, sustainability and liveability. Sacha Oerlemans, corporate sustainability, communications and brand manager at Q-Park, set out how the European parking group aims to develop its parking facilities into vital instruments to help realise urban accessibility, sustainability and liveability. Mobility hubs are a key aspect of Q-Park’s Integrated Mobility Vision.

Q-Park mobility hubs integrate services including parking, EV charging, pre-booking and sharing. Besides offering parking , each mobility hub connects travellers with sustainable mobility partners offering alternative ways of getting around the city: public transport; car and bicycle sharing options (including rental); secure bicycle parking; charging points for electric cars and bicycles; and bicycle lockers. In parallel, Q-Park is also making space for click & collect lockers and storage units.

In its efforts, Q-Park looks at the specific needs of local residents and businesses as a starting point for initial discussions with councils and policymakers. As well as looking into accessibility and quality of life in the city, Q-Park considers educational, economic, social and safety standards, said Oerlemans. “Instead of facilitating traffic, Q-Park aims to organise

seen derelict industrial land turned into a mixed-use development of homes, office space and retail and hospitality businesses.

The Ancoats Mobility Hub is set to play a key part in the creation of a 1,500 home neighbourhood with low car dependency. As the neighbourhood will have largely parking free streets, the hub provides 406 spaces for residents and visitors. It also boasts a 150-strong secure bike parking facility, electric vehicle charging points, a car club including electric vehicles, a parcel delivery hub and spaces for a cycle repair shop and café

The structure’s green credentials include green walls and solar power. It also enhances the urban realm, and sits adjacent to green space and walking routes.

traffic differently. We want to eliminate unnecessary traffic searching for a place to park on the street. We help limit and facilitate efficient car journeys directly to the destination, using smart navigation and pre-booking options. We ensure that all kinds of vehicles can park in our parking facilities – cars, bicycles and scooters. And we provide sufficient EV charging points for electric vehicles.”

Creating accessible hubs

The Walk Wheel Trust wants to transform mobility

Disabled people are in danger of being further excluded in society if future changes to transport do not involve them and address their needs. To ensure transport is accessible, the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust is developing a new strategy which includes a focus on joining walking, wheeling and cycling with buses, trams and trains. Mobility hubs will play a key role in this strategy.

The trust’s Transforming Mobility project revealed that 81% of disabled people support the provision of a better experience when they are changing between different types of transport, Tim Burns, head of research at the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans), told delegates.

The Transforming Mobility research report includes the findings from Sustrans’ 2024 survey of 1,107 disabled people across the UK, carried out by More in Common. There were also workshops with disabled people in Birmingham, Edinburgh and Oxford.

The researchers found that half (48%) of disabled people think that the government is not doing enough to ensure accessibility is a priority.

The Walk Wheel Trust report sets out five ways to improve transport connections for disabled people:

• Legalise side road zebra crossings, which do not include beacons or zig-zag markings, to ensure they are quick to install and much cheaper.

• Rebalance street space, prioritising through traffic on some roads while reducing it on others can improve speed and reliability for cars and buses. 65% of disabled people support local councils developing a framework for how streets should be used for different types of transport.

• Reduce unnecessary parking to free up public space and

Travelling on the right track

The rail sector wants to connect with mobility hubs

Rail stations are key elements in the transport system.

There are 2,585 railway stations on mainland Great Britain and they could play a major role in building connected and sustainable communities. Two key rail organisations addressed Mobility Hubs 2025: The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), the rail industry membership body; and advocacy group The Railway Industry Association (RIA)

Monica Bassan, the RDG’s policy manager, said from a customer’s standpoint integration should be logical so as to make trips as short and seamless as possible. “Integration means more than just physical connections,” said Bassan. “It’s about physical, information, and fare integration – making journeys seamless, logical, and accessible from end to end. The goal is to improve access, reduce duplication, and make public transport the natural choice. Making transport more ‘joined up’ requires breaking down barriers between different modes of transport. This can be achieved by enhancing physical infrastructure; by providing more frequent, better-aligned, higher-capacity, or faster services; or through an improved ticketing offer. However, the benefits of

declutter pavements. Only 22% of disabled people oppose reducing on-street visitor parking, excluding disabled bays.

• Develop a network of ‘mobility hubs’ to seamlessly connect walking, wheeling and cycling with buses, trams and trains.

• Set up paid access panels of disabled people to inform local transport policy and practice across the country following Scotland’s lead. 65% of disabled people support giving funding to local councils to create access panels to inform and shape transport plans and projects.

Tim Burns said: “We know that disabled people face greater barriers to getting around and accessing the things they need to live well while also wanting to travel more sustainably. The next ten years will see exciting changes in the way we move around our cities, as local authorities respond to the UK’s economic, health and environmental challenges with visionary transport plans. To be truly transformative, these plans need strong, local leadership who will put disabled people at their heart.”

better joining up the transport network go beyond a smoother customer experience; providing fast, convenient, accessible public transport incentivises customers away from private, often more carbon-intensive modes into cleaner transport modes.”

The Railway Industry Association believes that train stations could be become intermodal hubs. The RIA commissioned consultant Steer to understand the commercial opportunities and asset challenges that might arise with the estate. Unlocking Station Potential: Delivery model exploration uses a portfolio of 11 stations in North Kent as a representative sample to understand the commercial realities for stations, the role they play in communities and their contributions to the network at large. Some stations have low footfall and revenue potential, but still absorb material costs and resources. The report suggested leveraging those resources to realise value offers potential for investment in the wider estate. For example, many stations have surrounding land that can be released for home building.

Robert Cook, policy director at the RIA, said: “The research identified up to 110 stations as potential ‘inclusive intermodal hubs’ suitable for investment. The creation of Great British Railways and the ongoing move towards devolution presents an opportune moment to re-think and re-model how we invest in railway stations.”

Reinventing the bus stop

East Lothian Council is working on transforming rural bus shelters into modular mobility hubs

Local authorities face challenges in designing transport infrastructure that effectively integrates different modes of transport, particularly in rural areas. There is a need to bridge the ‘last-mile gap’ and encourage the use of sustainable transport options as an attractive gateway into the bus network and a modal interchange between walking, cycling and public transport while ensuring bus shelters meet the core needs of users, such as weather protection and accessibility.

The East Lothian Bus Shelter project is exploring the feasibility of transforming rural bus shelters into modular mobility hubs. It has developed design recommendations and guidance for local authorities to create more effective and user-friendly transport hubs that also promote placemaking. The project is part of the Transport Decarbonisation Demonstrators programme, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK.

The project was managed by consultancy Cenex, with support from design consultant Quarterre. The key deliverables were a set of designs for innovative bus shelters with additional modular elements that can be ‘bolted on’.

In addition, the project will produce estimated benefits of rolling out the shelters, looking at both likely emissions savings, and social benefits from the placemaking opportunity they present. These will be included in a guide for other local authorities on best practice.

Morag Haddow, transport policy officer, East Lothian Council, said: “Consultation took place with communities in Musselburgh, Tranent and Pencaitland in October to help understand users’ needs, and a follow-up exercise allowed groups and individuals to comment on the designs. Through stakeholder engagement, the project team produced final designs that provide a range of

A rural role for mobility hubs

An interactive game explored rural mobility issues

Arole-playing workshop was one of the highlights of Mobility Hubs 2025. Designing and operating rural mobility hubs was a gamified, hands-on workshop in which participants took on the roles of key stakeholders working to design an integrated rural mobility network for a fictional region.

The game was led by Dominic Scholfield, team leader at Cenex, working with Simon Barnett, Suffolk County Council’s integrated transport and enhanced partnership manager.

Each table became a local taskforce, tasked with solving access challenges, coordinating multiple transport modes, and deciding where and how to deploy mobility hubs as interchange points. Armed with maps and role cards, players negotiated priorities, balanced trade-offs, and found creative solutions to support rural connectivity, accessibility and decarbonisation goals.

modules for all streetscapes that can be tailored to user needs like elderly and retired, commuters, young families and those with disabilities, including:

• modular bench designs that allow larger installations to be easily created

• a range of seating options

• wayfinding to connect locations clearly

• designs that encourage placemaking.

Bus Shelter Design Tool

Bus shelters can play a crucial role in enhancing the experience of bus users by providing protection from adverse weather conditions, ensuring adequate waiting areas meet demand, and promoting intermodal integration with other transportation modes such as cycling.

Dominic Scholfield, mobility team leader at Cenex, said: “Standardised bus shelters are not always effective in addressing local needs. Therefore, to support local authorities in optimising bus shelter designs, the study team developed a tool that identifies site-specific parameters and design priorities. This tool generates a list of ordered design recommendations, helping to set priorities for more effective and user-friendly bus shelters.”

Moving House

Moving House is an intelligent, modular system of bus shelters and street furniture developed with residents, community groups and council policy makers.

“Moving House is a practical and flexible system that enables better placemaking for communities,” said Clive Hartley, founder of Quarterre Studio. “Our aim was to create a holistic solution that served the wide range of views of the many different public transport users we spoke to. These inputs formed the foundation of our concepts that spoke to this ‘spectrum of desires’, and fed into the family of products that can be used in many ways to provide vital transport infrastructure and – at the same time – enhance the public realm.”

The game

What do people really want?

Kirklees Council is analysing public attitudes

Kirklees is a metropolitan district in the West Yorkshire City Region that borders the cities of Leeds and Bradford, and the boroughs of Wakefield and Calderdale. While Kirklees is in many ways at the crossroads for many road and rail routes, the rural nature of the district, its hilly topography and the cost of rail connections have proven barriers to many of its citizens being able to access job opportunities in Leeds, Manchester and York.

However, there is an optimism that projects such as the £11bn Transpennine Route Update (TRU) and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Mass Transit scheme will provide more reliable and affordable commuter routes.

Kirklees Council is working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to discuss future-proofing these with spaces for mobility hubs in the context of these projects, said Rory Davis, Kirklees’ transport strategy and policy team manager.

“In West Yorkshire mobility hubs are to be known as ‘Shared Transport Hubs’, partly due to the confusion with the term ‘mobility’ and connotations of disability and accessible mobility aids such as Shopmobility and Motability.

“Shared Transport Hubs aim to make journeys seamless – with improved facilities at key locations, including improved bus stops with real-time information, better waiting environment, improved cycle parking, better drop off facilities, parking for electric vehicles, bike and car clubs.”

Kirklees Council has been working to understand the how mobility hubs can meet residents’ travel needs and on the views of transport operators and delivery stakeholders.

Kirklees commissioned the Future Mobility Centre at the University of Huddersfield to conduct people-centred research into mobility hubs. Dr Alexandros Nikitas and his team’s work on unpicking the definitions, challenges and opportunities of bring forward mobility hubs found more than 16 definitions for hubs. The team explored worldwide case study precedents and weighed up opportunities and challenges – challenges included maintenance, lack of public demand and safety., opportunities included mode shift, community cohesion and economic development.

Challenges and opportunities

Robin Tyne considers the future of mobility hubs

As mobility hubs become embedded in the transport landscape, attention turns to how they operate day to day, how they serve diverse users, and how they can adapt to evolving community needs. It was great to be at the 2025 Landor LINKS’ Mobility Hubs conference in Bristol. I enjoyed being on the closing panel chaired by Dominic Scholfield FCILT, discussing where mobility hubs go next. Some reflections from the debate:

• The term ‘mobility hub’ is still not a universally agreed concept, nor is it well-understood by the public. But, in some ways, that doesn’t matter (at least not yet). Projects such as the West of England Combined Mayoral Authority hubs are ‘showing, not telling’ what a mobility hub could be: spaces that make it easier to take journeys involving different types of sustainable transport.

• As more mobility hubs are built in the UK, some projects will move to a monitoring and evaluation phase. This should provide an evidence base for hubs in terms of what works and what doesn’t. Although as some speakers throughout the day noted, transport integration is not a new idea. Mobility hubs simply go a step further than many transport interchanges of old by thinking about integration more holistically.

• There was some discussion around CoMoUK’s mobility hubs standards. In the absence of any guidance from any of the UK’s national governments, CoMoUK’s standards are important and prevent the concept of mobility hubs being diluted to the point where it is meaningless.

• There were fair questions over applying the framework to rural

The University of Huddersfield team surveyed more than 500 people and undertaking focus groups with underrepresented groups and industry stakeholders such as rail company representatives and bus station managers.

When surveyed, more than three-quarters of the public hadn’t heard of a mobility hub. However, when the concept was explained to them: more than two-thirds were supportive of hubs as a beneficial addition; useful in terms of supporting sustainable travel by serving those without a car; and as helping to reduce congestion.

When asked what they would like to see in a hub, people rated non-transport facilities as the top seven functions: toilets; waiting areas; free Wi-Fi; shelter; cafés; information kiosks; and lockers.

Rory Davis reflected: “As transport professionals, we often get most excited about the transport, the apps, the branding and what might suit the transport business case. When looking at the wider benefits, we can reflect on how some of these aims might differ from the public’s responses.

“The fact that cost heavy infrastructure and staffing are some of the most highly rated responses is food for thought. But when asked what would encourage people to use a hub, many of the fundamentals around the transport sector came out on top –convenient locations, cheap fares, amenities, more modes, routes and better timetables were the main responses.”

settings where shared transport modes – particularly shared micromobility – are less viable than in urban areas. The debate also points to some of the wider challenges we have in the UK in providing decent public transport in rural areas – a mobility hub can’t make up for the lack of a reliable bus service.

No doubt these discussions will continue to evolve, and given the developments on the ground since last year’s conference, I’m looking forward to seeing more progress in a year’s time at Mobility Hubs 2026.

Credit to Mark Moran and the Landor LINKS team for programming and running a really useful conference.

Robin Tyne is a researcher and consultant on sustainable transport

London Luton Airport has replaced the multi-storey car park lost to fire in October 2023. The newly rebuilt Terminal Car Park 2 opened on 24 September. The multi-storey offers 1,900 vehicle spaces and a new covered express drop-off and pick-up zone on the ground floor, providing convenient access to the terminal building.

Following the devastating fire in October 2023, Mason Navarro Pledge (MNP) was employed by London Luton Airport to manage the damage and stability assessments and subsequently the redesign of the new car park. MNP carried out structural assessments using a variety of methods – visual inspections from a safe perimeter, drone footage, advanced computer modelling and tracking movements gathered from an extensive target monitoring system that was installed.

Due to its instability, access over the structure was obtained using a crane hung man-rider basket. It was found the structure was no longer safe or fit for its intended purpose. Floorslabs and supporting beams had collapsed, and steelwork had heated and buckled, with substantial loss of strength.

This led to a decision to dismantle the car park down to the foundations and reconstruct. MNP acted as lead consultant for the insurance negotiations, demolition and forensic examination, and rebuild of the car park, forming a team to produce a design that meets updated legislation and adheres to the latest best practice guidance. Its civils team carried out the design of the extensive drainage system, including significant pollution control measures.

The primary construction contractor responsible for the new Terminal Car Park 2 was BAM Construction, with Fatkin being the architect. Some 2,400 tonnes of prefabricated steel elements were delivered by BKHS, which worked with structural engineers from MNP on the rebuild. Markham provided and applied AQURON treatments for the top deck waterproofing.

Improving access to the airport

To improve access for all and increase the use of public transport, the airport is also launching a dedicated Public Transport Investment Fund. With a commitment to invest £1.5m in the first year of operation, and working in partnership with transport operators and local authorities, the funding will be used to explore opportunities to develop and promote more sustainable modes of transport to the airport including rail, bus and coach operations.

The current temporary drop-off area outside the terminal will make way for additional bus stands and, as part of the improvement programme, further changes have been made across the airport’s pick-up and drop-off points:

• Paid for drop-off and pick-up area is relocating to the ground floor of Terminal Car Park 2 (TCP2)

• Duration doubled to 10 minutes at a cost of £7

• Blue Badge holders can park for 30 minutes free in Terminal Car Park 1 (TCP1)

London Luton Airport opens new multi-storey car park

1,900-space facility replaces structure lost in major car fire

• Electric Vehicles benefit from £1 for 30 minutes in TCP1

• Free drop-off and pick up is extended to two hours in the Long Stay Car Park

• No drop-off facility in the Mid Stay Car Park.

Alberto Martin, chief executive of London Luton Airport, said: “We are committed to improving connectivity and to encouraging an increase in the use of more sustainable modes of transport to and from London Luton Airport. As part of our growth plans, we have set challenging targets on public transport use. We have begun exploring opportunities for the £1.5m Public Transport Investment Fund to be directed towards local bus services, improved rail connections, and infrastructure upgrades around the airport to encourage more sustainable travel and reduce reliance on private cars.

“By reopening our car park alongside this £1.5m public transport fund, we’re supporting both the immediate needs of our passengers and the long-term goal of improving public transport links to and from the airport.”

About the airport

London Luton Airport is operated by a consortium, of which the majority shareholder is airport operator AENA. The airport’s car parks are operated by APCOA UK.

London Luton carries over 16.7 million passengers in 2024. They travelled on airlines including Jet2, easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Tui, FlyOne, Sun Express and El Al. The airport is owned for community benefit by Luton Rising, a company wholly-owned by Luton Council, which has invested more than £500m in front-line, voluntary and charitable services since 1998.

Mansfield multi-storey to be demolished

Walkden car park suffered a partial collapse while closed

The Walkden Street car park in Mansfield is to be demolished following the partial collapse of the unused building’s top deck.

Mansfield District Council has been working with appointed structural engineers and building control to undertake a number of inspections and assessments at the site since the incident on 30 August.

Fire and rescue crews were called to site after the mothballed car park suffered a structural failure. No one was hurt in the incident.

Following this, the council has been advised that to prevent any further risk to the public and to prevent any future collapses, a full demolition of the site is required.

The demolition works will include the three commercial units located under the car park on Stockwell Gate: B&M, Bolek I Lolek Foods and the British Heart Foundation.

The council said it will work closely with the affected businesses.

The site has an exclusion zone in place to mitigate any risk to the public until the demolition works commence. This extended zone allows businesses on Stockwell Gate to be open as usual including Ink and Candy,

ASK Estate Agents, the Lounge and Bedroom Furniture Store, Tonic Hair Studio, the Mansfield Old Meeting House and the Wheatsheaf Hotel at Mansfield, Mansfield Lighthouse charity shop, Totsville Mansfield, Little Princess Parties LTD/Little Princess Palace and the Kutting Zone.

The council has the power to take immediate action to remove the danger, even when it is not the owner of the property. The authority can then recover the reasonable expenses from the

building owner once action taken.

James Biddlestone, chief executive of Mansfield District Council, said: “Our priority will always be the safety of the public and we have an absolute duty and responsibility to act in the interest of public safety.

“We have already begun the process of appointing a contractor to carry out the demolition work, and it is expected this will take approximately 18 weeks to complete.

“We’re very grateful for the

Cemplas to repair Four Seasons car park

Mansfield multi-storey renovation programme will cost almost £2m

Mansfield District Council has named a contracting partner for carrying out important repair work to the Four Seasons car park.

Cemplas Waterproofing and Concrete Repairs has been awarded the contract for the repair work at the car park. The car park will remain open with partial floor closures while the repairs are made, allowing shoppers to continue using the centre.

The repairs include concrete frame repairs, re-tarmacking surfaces, renewing anti-carbonation coatings, decoration and mechanical and electrical work, and is estimated to cost around £1.9m to complete.

Executive mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, said: “We’re happy to announce Cemplas as our partners for carrying out

patience and understanding of everyone affected by this situation, and we appreciate the distress this incident must have caused. We have been liaising with the Stockwell Gate businesses during this time, making sure that they and their customers can continue to use the area safely.

“We will also be having meetings with the businesses affected in the area to keep them up to date as the works progress.

“Further updates will be provided as the work continues.”

essential work that was required to maintain the condition of the car park, ensuring its long-term viability. It’s important that people in Mansfield can park their vehicles in a safe and secure place so they can enjoy the town centre.

“Although the Four Seasons car park and the nearby Walkden Street car park look similar, the structural design of the reinforced concrete decks is different. Having made extra checks in light of recent events at Walkden Street, we are confident of the structural integrity of the Four Seasons car park.”

this essential work to the Four Seasons car park. The investment is designed to maintain the car park’s good condition, allowing the public to continue to use the centre safely and shop conveniently.

“A full structural survey was undertaken in February 2024, which identified some

The Walkden Street car park was recently served with a notice of demolition after a partial collapse of its roof in September 2025. Following the incident, Mansfield District Council undertook extra checks to ensure the structural integrity of the Four Seasons car park ahead of any decision on the repairs contract award.

Cemplas Waterproofing was awarded the contract after scoring highest in the council’s tendering process out of eight competing companies.

CAR PARKS

Grafton car park would cost £17m to repair

Worthing Borough Council looks at other options for car park

Worthing’s Grafton multi-storey car park will not be repaired because it would be too expensive, a council has announced.

In May a section of concrete collapsed due to an unstable supporting beam. Worthing Borough Council closed the car park in order to carry out urgent investigation work.

An independent report suggested that the minimum work to allow the Grafton multi-storey car park to reopen would cost well in excess of £17m. Worthing Borough Council has decided this expenditure be a waste of taxpayer money.

The council brought in HOP Consulting, a civil and structural engineering firm, and chartered surveyors MacConvilles to outline what could be done to make the car park safe to reopen to the public.

HOP concluded that the most basic set of repairs and renovation required to make the structure safe to use would cost an estimated £17.1m at least.

This estimate did not include any work to the building’s lifts or drainage, which would also be needed. It also did not include the additional cost to

the council of borrowing the money required to fund the work, nor any planning or legal costs.

The report outlined four potential solutions to the car park’s issues, ranging from the installation of new steel support beams for the existing deck and refurbishment of the site at an estimated cost of £17.1m to a complete replacement of the deck and refurbishment of the car park at a cost of more than £32.3m. The options would extend the life of the car park to between 10 and 25 more years.

The options outlined by HOP were considered by a joint strategic committee on 11 September.

Cllr Sophie Cox, leader of

Worthing Borough Council, said: “The estimates for the work are far beyond what we can afford using our reserves and our own funding over the coming years.

“Such a huge bill could saddle the borough with borrowing costs that would need to be met through significant increases in fees, charges and council tax for years and years, as well as reductions in the services we could offer.

“We now need to weigh up exactly how much it could cost in total to reopen Grafton against the remaining parking capacity and demand for spaces, alongside the fact the site is in our Local Plan for regeneration in the near future.”

Separately, the joint strategic

Parcel delivery hub trial for Winchester

The Friarsgate car park in Winchester is to become a sustainable parcel delivery hub.

The project is led by Solent Transport in partnership with Winchester City Council and Decarbon Logistics Solutions, which is a VoloFleet portfolio company.

The micro-consolidation hub is part of a 12-month trial to test whether switching from vans to electric cargo bikes for local deliveries can cut congestion on Winchester’s narrow streets, improve air quality in the city centre, and support the city’s ambitions for a greener future.

While it will trial an alternative way of making deliveries for businesses, the micro hub will not completely replace the existing methods and will not function as a parcel drop-off point for sending parcels.

The lower deck of Friarsgate car park will be closed during the construction of the hub for approximately two weeks, but the upper deck will continue to operate as normal.

Under the scheme, parcels will be delivered to the hub by vans, then transferred to electric cargo bikes for the

committee agreed to relaunch the search for a developer to help transform the Grafton site for the benefit of the whole community.

The site includes the 440space multi-storey car park, Hollywood Bowl bowling alley, the Level 1 food and drink area, a small number of shops in Montague Street and access roads to neighbouring buildings, covering roughly the area of a football pitch. The council also bought the leases to the shops from Clarks to Argos on the southern side of Montague Street to make it easier to develop the whole area.

The process to find a developer has resumed, with the site being marketed to potential bidders. Offers that come in will be explored and evaluated before a preferred option for the redevelopment of the site will be selected. The council could then be in a position to be able to select a developer for the project in Spring 2026.

Council officers are continuing to meet with local businesses and residents to discuss what can be done to help them with Grafton closed, although there is no shortage of parking capacity in the town centre. They are also looking for ways to support residents of Knightsbridge House with accessibility issues.

can efficiently receive deliveries. Trialling better ways of moving goods in the city centre is one of the ways in which we can go greener faster and help shape a healthier and more sustainable Winchester.”

final leg of their journey to homes and small businesses. The hub will occupy just 14 parking spaces at Friarsgate car park.

Some 58 public spaces will remain available for residents and visitors throughout the trial.

The facility will include secure storage and charging stations for up to 10 electric cargo bikes, unloading areas for delivery vans, and welfare facilities for staff.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, cabinet member for the climate and nature emergency, said: “The parcel delivery hub project is an exciting step towards making our air less polluted and our roads less congested, while still ensuring residents and businesses

The initiative forms part of the Department for Transport-funded Solent Future Transport Zone programme. The Winchester hub will act as a testbed for low-carbon delivery solutions that could be rolled out more widely across the Solent region. The University of Portsmouth will support the project by monitoring its environmental and operational benefits.

Residents will continue to be informed of progress and any temporary disruptions during the construction. When the hub is operating, residents and businesses should continue to contact their retailer if they have any issues with deliveries.

At the end of the trial, the hub will be removed and the car park will be restored to its original condition. Lessons learned will be reported to the Department for Transport and used to inform how similar projects might be implemented in Winchester in future.

The hub is set to launch in November.

Bristol car park tender published

Multi-storey and cycle hub will form part of Southern Gateway

A contractor is being sought to deliver a new transport hub as part of a major regeneration scheme in Bristol.

The Bristol Temple Quarter LLP is seeking a main contractor to deliver a multi-storey car park, cycle pavilion, bus stops and associated public realm at Bristol Temple Meads railway station.

BTQ LLP is the partnership behind the Bristol Temple Quarter regeneration programme.

Bristol Temple Quarter will transform the area around Bristol Temple Meads station through the delivery of 10,000 new homes, thousands of new jobs, infrastructure, and new public spaces across 135 hectares of central Bristol.

The Bristol Temple Quarter LLP is a partnership between Bristol City Council, Homes England and the West of England Mayoral Authority. It was incorporated in March 2024 to drive forward the regeneration of Bristol Temple Quarter.

The Southern Gateway will play a key role in enabling the delivery of new homes, commercial development, and public

Westfield Stratford City evacuated after car fire

The Westfield Stratford City shopping centre in east London was evacuated following a fire at its multi-storey car park. London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was called to the shopping centre just after 4pm on 13 September.

LFB control officers mobilised crews from Stratford, Poplar, Leytonstone and surrounding fire stations. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a fire at the centre’s multi-storey car park

spaces at Bristol Temple Quarter by relocating regulated station parking into a single location.

The land around Bristol Temple Meads station is currently dominated by car parking, creating a poor experience for people arriving in the city. Much of this parking is regulated for rail staff and passengers. By relocating the parking, the space to the north of station at the Friary, Station Approach, and in the Grade I listed Midland Shed can be transformed with new development, public spaces,

and travel routes.

BTQ LLP is initially procuring pre-construction services under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA), with the aim to enter a full construction works contract in July 2026.

The invitation to tender is now open until 8 December. The procurement timeline is:

• Tender response deadline: 8 December

• Bidder presentations: 8 and 9 January

• Contract award notice: 16 January.

The fire occurred in an area on the second floor of car park C. Around ten vehicles were destroyed by fire, with a further ten vehicles sustaining varying amounts of damage as a result of heat spread. The fire was producing a significant amount of smoke and people were advised to avoid the area.

The shopping centre was evacuated by on-site security staff as a precaution and remained closed for the rest of the day. There were no reports of injuries. The fire is being treated as accidental and believed to have been caused by an undetermined fault within the engine compartment of a diesel-powered car.

The fire was brought under control by 17:54.

Since 1969, award winning group Cemplas Waterproofing & Concrete Repairs, have been using their multidisciplinary knowledge and technical expertise to develop and deliver the best cost effective solutions to complex repair and renovation projects.

Are you ready to take your project to the next level? Having recently won three prestigious industry awards, Cemplas can support your journey all the way and help you to achieve an outstanding final result.

PayByPhone and Skidata form alliance

Cashless parking app will connect with barrier systems

PayByPhone has signed a strategic global partnership with parking and access control solutions provider Skidata.

PayByPhone will join Skidata Connect, an all-in-one platform for managing customer experiences in the parking, mobility, sports and entertainment sectors.

PayByPhone users will be able to gain secure and convenient entry at car parks using Skidata barrier systems across Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Jonny Combe, chief executive officer and president of PayByPhone, said: “By establishing long-term partnerships that enable intelligent, connected solutions for our drivers, we deliver on our promise of simplifying our users’ journeys.

“This strategic collaboration with Skidata further enhances

Jonny Combe and Christopher Archer

that pledge by continuing to significantly expand our global footprint in gated off-street parking and delivering a truly integrated experience though our AutoPay and Pay on Exit functions. Thanks to Skidata Connect’s versatility, PayByPhone will be integrated quickly and seamlessly.”

JustPark offers flexible monthly plan

The JustPark parking platform has launched Flexible Monthly Plans, a new option that gives drivers more control over how and when they reserve parking spaces, and how much they pay.

The plans are designed for anyone who needs a convenient parking space several times a week such as commuters, hybrid workers and shift-based professionals.

JustPark’s new offering allows drivers to select any three days of the week they need parking, in addition to the existing five- or seven-day parking options already offered.

By encouraging drivers to pre-book parking in the same way they might pre-book their rail travel, JustPark says it is aiming to take the uncertainty out of commuting and make journeys to work easier and more stress-free.

A recent survey of more than 2,000 drivers found that the majority (58%) say having a guaranteed parking space would make their commute easier. Yet over half (54%) don’t have access to workplace parking, leaving them to rely

on finding a space near their workplace. Despite this clear need, almost half (45%) of drivers admit they rarely, if ever, book parking in advance for their commute, highlighting the gap JustPark’s new Flexible Monthly Plans are designed to fill.

“We habitually pre-book our train tickets, gym classes, favourite restaurants and even childcare, yet parking is often left to chance, adding unnecessary stress to a busy working day,” said Angelique Temple, chief marketing officer at JustPark.

Additional JustPark data seems to support a demand for a flexible approach, showing that regular commuters average 2.6 bookings a week, spread evenly across Monday to Thursday.

Temple said: “Our research shows a clear appetite from drivers for more fluid and affordable long-term options. As companies continue to shift their approach to hybrid working, a flexible approach to commuting is needed, which is exactly what these new solutions can provide.”

The first city to benefit from the partnership will be Miami, Florida, in the USA.

Christopher Archer, senior vice president of North America for Skidata, said: “Skidata focusses on cultivating global partnerships with best-of-breed companies that share our commitment to

creating seamless, intuitive experiences for end users. PayByPhone fits this criterion perfectly.

“Our newly signed partnership not only enables us to maintain our promise to our clients to enhance Skidata’s service offering, but also it ensures a simple, secure, and sustainable solution that continues to reshape the future of visitor management for parking operators.”

Other locations in the US and Canada as well as those in France, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom will follow over the next few months.

To use AutoPay, drivers optin the PayByPhone app before starting their journey. Once activated, they can enter and exit participating garages without taking a ticket, visiting pay stations, or even opening the app. For Pay on Exit, drivers also have to opt-in, can enter and exit participating garages without taking a ticket, and pay via the PayByPhone app before exiting the car park.

Multi-app parking in Westminster

Westminster City Council has launched a multi-app parking scheme, meaning motorists in central London can choose between three apps when paying to park: the council’s existing provider RingGo, and now JustPark and PayByPhone.

The city council believes allowing motorists to pick the app they prefer will create competition between cashless parking providers to offer a smoother service and better prices, thus maximising the proportion of parking revenue that goes to improving local transport infrastructure such as more accessible pavements, safe cycling infrastructure, and bus lanes.

Under the previous scheme, Westminster residents contributed more than £1.2m a year through Council Tax to cover parking transaction costs. This is despite the fact only 4% of parking transactions come from local drivers. That cost will now shift to visitors who use the service, freeing up funds to improve transport across the city.

Under the new deal, operator fees will be lower, increasing the share of parking charges that goes back into improving transport in Westminster.

Cllr Max Sullivan, cabinet member for streets, said: “By introducing

competition between providers, we’re keeping costs down and ensuring that more of the money raised from parking goes straight back into improving transport. That means cleaner, safer streets, better public transport, and more investment in making Westminster a healthier, greener place to live.”

Chris Head, regional director for the UK & Ireland at Arrive, provider of RingGo, said: “With multiple London boroughs due to adopt the National Parking Platform in the coming months, it is great to see the City of Westminster offering users a broader range of options for mobile parking payments.”

Jonathan Hampson, chief commercial officer at JustPark, said: By coupling our Park & Pay solution with our Reservations offering, JustPark will ensure drivers in Westminster get the flexibility they need – whether it’s for a quick stop or a longer stay.”

Rebecca Maisey, UK commercial director for PayByPhone, said: “In line with PayByPhone’s ethos, we’re helping to simplify the parking experience for residents of and visitors to Westminster with our robust features and numerous benefits available in our app.”

Bookable kerbside scheme delivers benefits

Grid Smarter Cities’ digital Kerb Delivery system has been shown to reduce vehicle kilometres travelled, improve air quality and streamline deliveries.

The Smarter Greener Logistics trial explored the use of Grid Smarter Cities’ Virtual Loading Bay (VLB) technology in London.

A VLB is a digital dispensation which allows drivers to load and unload in close proximity to their delivery point at locations where loading is normally prohibited, without the risk of receiving a penalty charge notice (PCN).

The locations of VLBs, and time periods during which access is permitted, are pre-agreed with the local authority – working in partnership with operators to improve safety and reduce adverse impacts on network and traffic flows. VLBs can also be implemented without the need for additional physical infrastructure, offering kerbside flexi-

bility in highly congested areas.

The trial, conducted between July 2023 to March 2025, involved a robust collaboration between Grid and the Cross River Partnership, with the first VLBs going live in March 2024 along The Cut in Lambeth, expanding over the year to a further three locations, including the London Boroughs of Richmond, City of London and Camden.

After the conclusion of the trial, both the Lambeth and Richmond bays are still operational and available to book.

The Smarter Green Logistics

trial was run by the Cross River Partnership and funded by the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The report on the trial sheds light on the operational efficiencies of VLBs when deployed in key locations to solve specific delivery pain points via Grid’s Kerb Delivery platform. The VLB delivered a reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled, air quality benefits, as well as a more efficient and streamlined delivery process for users.

Neil Herron, chief executive

and founder of Grid Smarter Cities, said: “This in-depth study confirmed what we at Grid Smarter Cities have always believed – that Virtual Loading Bays are a powerful tool in kerbside management in busy areas, particularly suited to deliveries that require close proximity to the recipient’s venue to be able to carry out the delivery safely, such as brewery logistics and frozen and chilled goods.

“The independent analysis proves the benefits of the scheme include less congestion and cleaner air, because they remove the need for vehicles to have to circle the area waiting to find a space. Seeing the results from individual neighbourhoods proves that this is a solution that would work both in major cities like London and also smaller places with congestion challenges.”

The Lambeth and Richmond bays are still bookable by delivery operators in the area who register in advance. There are no charges to use the bays and bookings can be made throughout 24 hours of the day.

This webinar explores how local authorities can strengthen their approach, deter misuse more effectively, and ensure fair outcomes.

Discussion topics:

l The scale and impact of misuse

l Enforcement and prosecution challenges

l How awareness training can change behaviour

Chair:Speakers:

Action is needed now to make sure disabled drivers are not left behind

Disabled driver Nigel Melly shares his story

Ihave been driving an EV since they were first available, and while charging at home is usually straightforward, motorway journeys are a different story. The lack of accessible chargepoints means I plan my journeys so I stop at places I know I am familiar with. I always head for a charging bay at the end of a row to give me enough space to manoeuvre in and out of the car. This ‘workaround’ is generally always successful for me, but I have friends who struggle more with charging than I do and often need to ask other drivers charging their vehicles for help.

Through years of experience and careful planning, my charging routine on long distances is shaped as much by accessibility barriers on the public network as it is by battery levels.

I love my EV and have had one since first available through Motability. Despite problems with public charging, I can thoroughly recommend switching to an EV to anyone.

As demand increases and EV charging infrastructure continues to roll out at pace there needs to be action now to improve the provision for disabled users or we will be left behind or excluded.

Nigel Melly one of the voices to be found in the new Transport Focus Plugging the Gap report

Plugging the EV charging gap

Disabled drivers are being left behind in EV infrastructure roll-out, warns Transport Focus

England’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure is overlooking disabled drivers, a new report has found. Independent watchdog Transport Focus is calling for the government to outline its plan for how, and when, an accessible EV charging infrastructure will be delivered.

Disabled users need confidence in the charging network, particularly as a significant proportion of their homes are not suited to the installation of a home charger. Despite the government’s transition to zero-emission vehicles and ZEV mandate, there are no chargers on England’s motorways and major ‘A’ roads that have been accredited with the voluntary standards for accessible charging.

Guidelines introduced in 2022 to provide an accessibility standard for chargepoints are not a compulsory requirement and EV drivers still report encountering significant barriers such as small bays preventing them getting out of the vehicle, raised kerbs, plinths and bollards in front of chargepoints, and poor location of chargepoints in relation to other motorway service facilities. They can also find it difficult to handle equipment. Independent watchdog Transport Focus has addressed this issue in a new report called Plugging the gap – the need to improve the EV charging experience for disabled drivers. Transport Focus is calling for:

• an urgent focus on delivering accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure across England’s motorways and major ‘A’ roads

• for government to explore the role of regulation for mandatory accessibility standards to secure better outcomes for disabled drivers

• to ensure accessible electric vehicle charging standards fully meet disabled users’ needs and are straightforward for providers to interpret and implement

• outcomes to be appropriately monitored, with continued codesign to ensure progress can be sustained and tracked and action taken as necessary

• immediate gaps in the accessibility of existing electric vehicle chargepoints to be addressed.

Louise Collins, director of Transport Focus, said: “Disabled motorists should be able to feel secure in the knowledge that they can easily charge their electric vehicle independently on the country’s motorway network. If we don’t tackle this swiftly then some disabled people could be left behind, unable to drive electric vehicles and potentially excluded from the road network altogether. The time to act is now and we need confidence that there is a plan that will genuinely deliver this. We are working with government to explore the role regulation could play in a longer-term solution with mandatory standards and for chargepoint providers to deliver more immediate improvements.”

Graham Footer, chief executive of Disabled Motoring UK, said: “We are expecting disabled people to transition to, and use, EVs without a charging infrastructure that supports them. We need a robust plan that meets users’ needs and gives them the confidence to travel in their EV. A clearer framework, supported by regulation, would help chargepoint providers prioritise accessibility.”

Paul Comer, director of EV implementation at Roadchef, added: “We recognise that a consistent, nationwide approach, supported by a stronger regulatory framework, could help accelerate progress and give customers greater confidence.”

While there are some positive examples of chargepoint operators trying to bridge accessibility gaps, Transport Focus said this lacks the consistency required to allow disabled people to travel with confidence knowing they’ll be able to charge.

To comply with PAS 1899:2022 accessibility standards, charging bays should meet specific size requirements, have hatching around each bay to allow accessibility for vehicles adapted to disabled users, and all plinths and bollards be removed to allow level access.

Transport Focus said it will work collaboratively with the EV charging industry to ensure that changes are both practical and sustainable. www.transportfocus.org.uk

Ensuring chargers are accessible

Peers back mandating government to ensure EV chargers are accessible for drivers with disabilities

Motorway service operators sign accessibility pledge

Transport Focus leads initiative that will see future services being co-designed with disabled people

Motorway service area operators have signed a pledged to improve the accessibility of their sites. The pledge created by independent transport watchdog Transport Focus commits Moto, Roadchef, Welcome Break, Extra and Getlink Customs Services to do more to support disabled drivers. The operators have agreed to consult and co-design with disabled users prior to the build of every new motorway service area or site refurbishment.

Members of the House of Lords have voted to pass an Opposition-led amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill providing measures to protect drivers with disabilities from electric vehicle charging points that are inaccessible. The amendment was passed on 23 October during the report stage of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in the House of Lords. It enables the government to mandate compliance with the accessibility standard PAS 1899 for public chargepoints if voluntary compliance fails. The amendment, tabled by Lord Borwick (Con), was approved by 228 votes to 113, after the government declined to accept it during debate.

Up to 40% of UK households do not have a driveway and therefore rely on the public charging network for EV charging. However, very few public chargepoints are accessible to people with disabilities. Lord Borwick, a former transport entrepreneur, accessibility advocate and driver of a wheelchair-accessible taxi, said: “This is about fairness and foresight, making sure that, as we move to electric driving, no one is left behind, least of all the 1.35 million disabled drivers who already face greater challenges in their daily mobility.”

Lord Borwick set out the challenges. “According to EVA England, nearly half of all drivers, with or without disabilities, have experienced problems using public chargepoints,” he said. “They cite heavy cables, high kerbs, obstructed bays and payment terminals that are too high or awkwardly placed. For many disabled drivers, these are not small irritations but complete barriers to participation.”

Lord Borwick welcomed the introduction of the PAS 1899 accessibility standard for EV chargepoints, but pointed to the poor take-up of its recommendations. Currently less than 3% of public EV charging points are considered fully accessible in the UK. He warned that without intervention, disabled people will see no end to the struggle of charging their cars safely and reliably. “The Department for Transport took an important step in 2022 by publishing an accessibility standard, PAS 1899, designed to address these issues. However, as of today, hardly any public chargepoints meet that standard, largely because the parts and design requirements have yet to be fully adopted by industry. A revised version is being developed, with input from consumer groups and manufacturers. It is expected to offer a workable compromise between what industry can deliver and what disabled drivers need but, when it comes, it will again be entirely voluntary.

“Experience tells us what happens next. None of the major consumer protections for chargepoint users on transparency of pricing, reliability or contactless payment were taken up voluntarily by industry. Government ultimately had to regulate, and it took seven years from securing those powers for the regulations to take effect.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We are fully committed to ensuring disabled drivers can easily charge their electric cars, which is why we commissioned a review into accessibility standards for chargepoints. The review has now concluded, and its findings will be published shortly. We continue to work with industry on how we can further strengthen access to chargers for disabled drivers.”

Earlier this year Transport Focus brought together motorway service operators, National Highways and the wider roads sector to discuss ways in which accessibility, toilets, wayfinding, signage, and journey planning information could be improved. The event heard from accessibility experts about the barriers disabled customers face when planning their journeys, refuelling and seeking rest and refreshments to help develop the pledge.

The Accessibility Pledge

Motorway service operators committed that they will:

1. Consult and co-design new motorway services or site refurbishments with disabled users

They will consult and co-design with disabled users and representative groups prior to every new build or site refurbishment. Operators will host a site audit with disabled users and senior executives to identify issues and deepen understanding of the experience for disabled visitors. Each operator will host one site audit per year.

2. Provide enhanced staff training for all motorway service operator staff

This will help ensure all motorway service operator staff undertake disability awareness training and understand their vital role in improving the experience for all disabled customers. Operators have committed to introduce measurements to monitor the effectiveness of the training.

3. Create a new industry accessibility working group

The creation of a new working group will allow all parties to share best practice and agree accessibility standards to be implemented across all motorway service areas, helping customers be confident they will receive a consistently good service.

4. Report on progress and next steps

Operators and industry have agreed to reconvene with Transport Focus in May 2026 to report on progress and outline how the pledges are helping to improve the visitor experience for disabled people at motorway service areas.

Transport Focus has made motorway services a key area of research

The government is being urged to intervene as research shows the electric vehicle charging sector’s energy bills increased by up to 79% since 2021. ChargeUK has called on the government to address the industry’s high energy bills, parts of which have risen fourfold in just four years, with cost of charging a key consideration for drivers ahead of the 2030 deadline for phasing out sales of new petrol and diesel cars. ChargeUK is the representative body for companies that install and operate the network of electric charging points

Research by ChargeUK sets out the increases in energy costs facing the companies installing and running the nation’s public EV charging infrastructure. The white paper, Delivering Affordable Charging for All, sets out how this has impacted the prices that drivers pay.

Most drivers can already charge costeffectively using a blend of home and public chargepoints. However public charging prices having risen by 38% on average since 2021, impacting those who cannot easily access home charging.

Delivering Affordable Charging for All draws on independent analysis by Cornwall Insight to show that a sharp increase in operators’ underlying energy costs (both wholesale energy and fixed charges) is the main cause of average price increases.

Vicky Read, chief executive of ChargeUK, said: “If the government wishes to ensure that cost of charging does not become a barrier to millions more drivers switching to EVs, it needs to take action – to tackle sky-high energy costs, to address the VAT penalty and to introduce EV charging to its existing renewable fuel credit scheme.

“The EV transition is well underway, with a quarter of all new cars sold an EV, and the public charging network hitting 85,000 chargepoints this month. Most drivers can already charge affordably, and the charging sector is innovating to offer additional ways to access cost-effective options. But the public charging sector has been hit by a series of policy and regulatory decisions that have caused our own costs to soar, with an unavoidable impact on some driver prices.

“Our members are committed to ensuring that all drivers can charge affordably across the mix of charging options available to them. So today we are setting out three deliverable actions for government, which address or compensate for high and rising costs that are outside our control. The government has already recognised that affordability is key to this EV transition, and has taken action, launching the Electric Car Grant. We now need ministers to focus on addressing the business costs impacting affordability of charging, so that we create the best possible conditions for drivers to make the switch.”

The white paper demonstrates that average price increases since 2021 have largely been driven by very significant increases in the sector’s underlying energy costs since the start of the decade. It states that along with other UK businesses, chargepoint operators (CPOs) continue to be exposed to very high wholesale electricity prices, which remain 66% higher than pre-energy crisis levels.

Relative costs of EV charging by use case

The rising cost of recharging

ChargeUK looks at how to reduce high energy prices, network charges and the VAT drivers pay when using public chargepoints

However, the sector has also been hit by substantial cost increases following Ofgem’s Targeted Charging Review in 2023 which changed how other elements of the sector’s energy bills are calculated. As a result, standing charges have risen by up to 462% at rapid and ultra-rapid charging sites, and now represent up to 70% of total energy costs, compared to around 15% for comparable businesses. CPOs of slow and fast chargepoints have also been hit by a 389% increase in standing charges.

CPOs also face a heavy and growing burden from government policy levies, which are applied to every unit of electricity consumed. These levies, including the Climate Change Levy, currently add approximately 6p/kWh to CPOs’ bills, despite the fact that the sector is playing a vital role in the decarbonisation of transport, and are set to increase by more than 10% by 2030.

Finally, drivers using public charging infrastructure are subject to VAT at the higher 20% rate, compared to VAT at 5% for home charging, creating unfair additional costs for

the one in three households without access to home charging.

Cornwall Insight’s analysis reveals that it is these elevated energy costs, combined with the government’s continued policy of charging VAT on public charging at 20% (versus 5% for home charging), that has put upward pressure on public charging prices.

Jacob Briggs, senior consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: “The UK’s charging network is a real success story, growing fast and helping more drivers than ever make the switch to electric. But our analysis shows that the increase in average public charging prices is a challenge that could slow progress towards an EV-driven future.

“High energy prices, rising network charges and the higher rate of VAT on public charging compared with plugging in at home ultimately means that drivers are paying the price. Unless these cost pressures are tackled by government, we risk turning a good news story into a barrier for millions of drivers who want to go electric.”

www.chargeuk.org

A plan for affordable EV charging

The ChargeUK white paper sets out a three-point plan for policymakers to enable all drivers to charge affordably:

1. Tackle operators’ prohibitively high energy costs

Accelerate existing regulatory reforms to bring down the high cost of standing charges and extend policy levy exemptions to the charging sector, as for other strategic sectors, ahead of planned increases.

2. Boost the charging business case

Add EV charging to the existing Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation scheme, costing the government nothing while generating operator revenues would support deployment and help keep consumer prices competitive.

ChargeUK: White paper DELIVERING AFFORDABLE CHARGING FOR ALL

3. Eliminate the VAT penalty on public charging Bring VAT on public charging down to 5%, in line with home charging, addressing the current disparity, which costs drivers who cannot charge at home an additional £145 a year.

THURSDAY 29 JANUARY 2026

COUNCIL HOUSE, VICTORIA SQUARE, BIRMINGHAM

DELIVERING SOLUTIONS ACROSS THE SURFACE TRANSPORT NETWORK

The UK government aims to achieve net zero in transport across all sectors by 2050, driven by the 2021 Transport Decarbonisa琀on Plan (TDP) and a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, with vans following in 2035.

Pathways to Net Zero: Transport Planning in Ac琀on will feature keynotes, case studies and expert panels to showcase the ways in which the surface transport network is changing to meet these cri琀cal targets.

CALL FOR PAPERS

We want you to help us shape the event. Please send us your ideas and sugges琀ons for presenta琀ons, demos and workshops (250 word max) by 10 November 2025 to: juliana.orourke@landor.co.uk

Please include: talk 琀tle, full speaker details and email address, and a short project overview.

Delivering greener transport and accelera琀ng the drive to net zero is one of this Government’s central missions.

We’re moving fast to deliver greener buses and trains, support the switch to electric vehicles on our roads, and secure the UK as a global leader in sustainable avia琀on fuel. I’m looking forward to speaking with the sector on future collabora琀on to achieve these goals.

Simon Lightwood Parliamentary Under­Secretary of State for Transport

SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES

For further details and to book contact Daniel Simpson on: 020 7091 7861 or email: daniel@landor.co.uk

Britain has over 86,000 public chargepoints

200 charging hubs created over past year, reports Zapmap

Almost 4,000 new electric chargepoints were installed across Britain during the third quarter of 2025, new figures from Zapmap reveal. The chargepoint mapping and data service reports that 3,928 new chargepoints were installed in Q3 2025.

The EV charging infrastructure now encompasses 86,021 devices (114,486 EVSEs) at 43,507 locations, a year-on-year increase of 22%. EVSE stands for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, which refers to the complete system that safely transfers electricity from the grid to an electric vehicle.

Ultra-rapid devices, delivering charging speeds of 150kW and above, continue to show the highest growth. There are now 9,290 chargers in this power band, 51% more than in September 2024.

There are currently 663 charging hubs across the country (defined as six or more rapid or ultra-rapid devices at a single location) with 212 of them installed over the past 12 months.

Hubs are typically popular with electric car drivers, especially to support en-route charging on longer journeys, Zapmap’s statistics show progress in the regional distribution of high-powered chargers

this year: of particular note, the North West has seen 38% yearon-year growth in high-powered chargers, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber, at 33%. Across all power bands, the South-East and Wales showed the highest year-on-year growth, at just over and just under 26% respectively.

Destination charging, where

people charge when stopped, rather than stopping to charge, covers several use cases. For those cases with a sub-four hour dwell time, such as gyms and supermarkets, Zapmap says it continues to see a shift towards rapid/ultra-rapid chargepoint installations.

Developments over the past

Zapmap becomes DfT data supplier

The Department for Transport (DfT) has appointed Zapmap as its electric vehicle chargepoint open data provider. Following a competitive tender process, Zapmap has been awarded a contract to supply the DfT with open data from public chargepoints. Under the contract Zapmap will aggregate publicly available data from all public chargepoints in the UK and provide this on a periodic basis to the DfT.

Zapmap has been a data partner to the DfT since 2017, providing information on the growth of the public chargepoint infrastructure throughout the UK.

The new contract moves beyond the longstanding provision of data to illustrate the growth of the public network to also deliver enhanced and more granular open data focussing on charging sessions and downtime at EVSE level.

Supermarkets roll out 1,000 new chargepoints

quarter include a collaboration between Zest and the North East Combined Authority, funded through HM Government’s Levelling Up Fund and the OnStreet Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS), to deliver 40 new EV spaces across 18 sites with speeds of up to 150kW at key destinations, including town centre car parks, coastal sites, country parks, and leisure centres.

Low powered charging devices continue to represent the largest tranche of the infrastructure, providing charging for longer stops and top-ups, such as in car parks and at tourist attractions. Some 68,665 chargepoints are currently defined as lowpowered (slow/fast chargepoints powered at <50kW), representing just under 80% of the total.

On-street charging devices, also falling within the lower powered grouping, and designed for overnight charging, are aimed at drivers who wish to charge close to home but do not have off-street parking. These chargepoints have seen 2,336 new additions in Q3 bringing the total to 31,593.

London continues to lead the way on both EV adoption and near-home charging, with the majority of these chargers (22,871) located in Greater London. Meanwhile the growth in on-street provision throughout the rest of the UK is 31% yearon-year.

The number of electric vehicle chargepoints at supermarkets has increased by a third (34%) in the last 18 months, according to new data analysed by Zapmap and the RAC.

Between January 2024 and June 2025, UK supermarkets added 1,001 EV chargepoints at 260 locations, with the total number of supermarket chargepoints now standing at 3,917. This represents a 34% rise on the 2,916 that were in place at the end of 2023 – meaning 5% of all the UK’s 83,851 chargepoints are now located at supermarkets.

Of the total number of EV chargepoints installed in the last 18 months, 596 were rapid or ultra-rapid units. While this is less than the 655 installed in 2023, it still means almost six-in-10 (58% in 1,088) of all supermarket EV locations now offer higher-powered charging facilities.

Approximately 1,876 locations now provide EV charging, up by 16% from 1,616 at the end of 2023. This is equivalent to 14% of all 13,407 UK supermarkets, including those without parking.

Brighton & Hove works with trio of suppliers

EV infrastructure deals signed with Believ, Blink and Char.gy

The expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure in Brighton and Hove has taken step forward with the signing of three chargepoint provision contracts.

Brighton & Hove City Council has signed deals with operators Blink and Believ to install and operate more than 1,200 fast, rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoints across the city.

These deals follow the signing of a contract with Char.gy to deliver more than 6,000 new lamppost chargepoints.

Supported by £2.8m from the Department for Transport’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, the three EV infrastructure contracts will boost the city’s existing network of 500 chargepoints.

Cllr Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure said: “Brighton & Hove is home to one of the fastest growing EV infrastruc-

Char.gy’s Courtney BlainBrown and Brighton & Hove City Council’s Kieran Fitsall

tures in the country, with well over 7000 chargepoints being delivered for our city, many of those within the next three years.

“Having three different operators means charging costs will remain competitive while the number of chargepoints will ensure EV users have plenty of convenient charging options.

“Using the Department for Transport’s LEVI funding, together with private investment and our own innovation, we’re determined to provide clean,

affordable and low carbon energy for transport.”

The contract with Blink will see the delivery of 1,000 fast chargepoints. Blink will offer flexible tariffs, dynamic pricing and carry out the electrification of car club bays. Alex Calnan, managing director of Blink Charging UK, said: “It’s truly rewarding to further build upon our successful five-year history working with Brighton & Hove City Council.”

Believ’s contract involves the

provision of 208 rapid and ultrarapid chargepoints. Believ will set up two ultra-rapid EV hubs and offer competitive tariffs, with discounts for residents

Guy Bartlett, Believ chief executive, said: “Brighton & Hove is a busy, thriving city that attracts millions of tourists each year and has a high proportion of residents without access to a driveway or means to privately charge a vehicle. For these reasons robust charging infrastructure is essential to supporting the EV transition.

“We’re also installing air quality sensors so that Brighton & Hove can monitor the change in air quality as EV uptake increases. This will prove a vital way for the council to showcase how having one of the fastest growing EV infrastructures can help deliver cleaner air for all.”

John Lewis, chief executive of Char.gy, said: “Char.gy is delighted to have been selected as the chargepoint operator in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council for this important contract.”

Kerbo Charge acquires Charge Gully

Cross-pavement charging firm

Kerbo Charge has announced the acquisition of one of its competitors, Charge Gully. The company said that it would continue to invest in Charge Gully as a standalone brand in order to offer councils and end users.

Scotland pilots cable channels

A pilot scheme is making electric vehicles accessible to more households without offstreet parking.

The Cross Pavement Charging Grant pilot programme will fund the installation of charging solutions in East Lothian, Renfrewshire and Perth & Kinross with other local authorities expressing an interest to take part.

Grants of up to £3,500 per household will be available for solutions such as pavement gulley technology or pop-up bollards.

Results from the pilot, backed by £250,000 of Scottish Government funding and delivered by the Energy Saving Trust, will feed into the development of national guidance on cross-pavement charging.

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m really pleased to launch this pilot scheme, another way in which we are supporting Scotland’s transition to electric vehicles, reducing carbon emissions and aligning with the Scottish Government’s priority to tackle the climate emergency.”

Kerbo Charge said that it will continue to invest in Charge Gully as a standalone brand in order to offer councils and end users flexibility in the product they choose to deploy. It will also take over Charge Gully’s existing product warranties

and stock will be shipped from their central logistics hub.

Charge Gully offers a lockable aluminium design, and both are British-designed and manufactured. Charge Gully has built a market presence through installations in Lancashire, Suffolk, Renfrewshire, Coventry and other areas.

Kerbo Charge, meanwhile, produces a pavementcontouring channel. Kerbo Charge says it is on-track to be live with more than 25% of all UK local authorities by the end of 2025.

Fastned to create indoor EV charging hub

Drive-thru facility will repurpose an existing Aberdeen warehouse

Aberdeen City Council has given chargepoint operator Fastned the go-ahead to build an indoor ultra-rapid EV charging hub inside a warehouse.

The hub will have 12 ultrarapid charging bays, offering drivers up to 100 miles of range in 5 minutes from 400kW chargers. A shop, toilets and a seating area inside the building will keep drivers comfortable while they charge. A winter 2026 opening is planned.

Located off Virginia Street, which forms part of Aberdeen’s inner city ring road, the charging hub will reuse the Grampian House warehouse. It is anticipated this central location will make the charging hub easy to use for residents, businesses and drivers journeying in and out of the city.

The hub will use Fastned’s drive-thru format, similar to that found in petrol stations. This

will make it easy for drivers to drive in and out of charging bays, improve accessibility for any type of vehicle, cut down the time it takes to access the charger, improve the throughput of vehicles on site, and reduce congestion.

Fastned will install the charging hub within the existing warehouse structure to keep drivers sheltered from the wind and rain while they charge. The company says this conversion rep resents a brand new approach to EV charging that will reduce

Duracell recharges car batteries

the development’s environmental impact while upgrading industrial land and improving the customer experience.

Tom Hurst, UK country director at Fastned, said: “I’m over the moon that Aberdeen City Council has supported our application and given us the green light. This means we can break ground at the site as soon as possible and kick-start this very exciting project.

“It’s really a revolutionary

rience for many customers, especially in a part of the country where the weather isn’t always the best. We’re truly delighted to be supporting the EV transition in Scotland and expanding our network further north.”

The project has been welcomed by Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for transport in Scotland. “This is a really positive development to support Scotland’s vision for public EV charging, and a great example of how public ambition and private sector investment can support the shift to electric vehicles,” she said.

“We’ve already achieved our target of 6,000 public chargepoints two years ahead of schedule thanks to a combination of public funding and increasing private sector investment, with the private sector now responsible for more than two thirds of Scotland’s public EV charging. This new hub would be the first of its kind in the UK, showing Scotland really can lead the way

Battery brand Duracell is branching out into electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure with the launch of a new ultra-rapid charging network across the UK. The new venture, branded Duracell E-Charge, will see an investment of more than £200m over the next decade.

Developed in partnership with The EV Network (EVN) and operated by Elektra Charge, the project aims to deliver a nationwide roll-out of ultrarapid charging hubs designed to meet growing EV demand.

Duracell E-Charge hubs will focus on motorway service areas, city gateways, and retail locations, ensuring 24/7 access for longdistance and urban drivers. Each site

will feature contactless payment, app integration and a plug & go user interface. Each charging unit is expected to deliver up to 400kW of DC power, which is capable of recharging compatible electric cars to 80% in under 30 minutes.

The first six Duracell E-Charge sites are scheduled to open by the end of 2025, with further expansion throughout 2026. By 2030, the company expects to operate at least 100 sites and over 500 charging points across the UK.

Meanwhile, the firm’s homeenergy division, Duracell Energy, will continue to sell its 7 kW DuraCharger AC wallbox for domestic use.