What Is a Car Park Management Plan?

Britannia Parking have been managing car parks across the UK for over 25 years, so we know a thing or two about creating solid CPMPs. Keep reading for a breakdown of what's included in a CPMP and its many benefits!

What's Included in a Car Park Management Plan?

No two car parks are the same, and neither are their CPMPs. But there are some things they tend to have in common:

1. Objectives and Goals

Usually found at the start of the document, this section sets out specific, measurable goals for your CPMP to achieve. Common objectives include:

• Maximising space utilisation
• Improving traffic flow
• Prioritising certain user groups (e.g. staff, visitors, customers)
• Improving sustainability
• Boosting safety and security

By outlining your key goals in your CPMP, you create clear targets for all your strategies to hit.

2. User Analysis

Knowing your car park's users is key to making it work for them. Your plan should identify user categories (e.g. employees, visitors, customers with varying durations) and their parking needs, then adapt your car park accordingly. For example, employees might need designated close-by parking for all-day use, while customers grabbing groceries might be happy with a wider space further away but with a short-term parking limit.

3. Site Description

This section provides a detailed description of the car park, including its:

• Location
• Overall layout and size
• Total number of spaces
• Space types (regular, disabled, motorcycle etc.)
• Access and exit points
• Circulation routes

Having a clear picture of the current car park design will let you identify opportunities for improvement, like redesigning lanes to create more parking spaces.

4. Parking Policies and Enforcement

The CPMP should outline how parking access will be controlled, allotted, and paid for by users. This could involve:

• Visitor parking permits
• Pay-and-display systems
• Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
• Live tracking
• Overnight parking rules
• Any other relevant policies

It should also define how policies will be enforced, such as through the use of fines and penalties.

5.Traffic Management

Traffic jams are good for no one - they frustrate drivers, make them less likely to come back, and hurt your reputation. To keep things moving smoothly, your CPMP should include strategies for good traffic flow. This could involve separate entry and exit points, clear speed limits, and traffic calming measures if needed.

6. Safety and Security

Car parks have a reputation for attracting crime, and not always without reason. Your CPMP should outline security measures such as better lighting, regular security patrols, and CCTV cameras to ensure the safety of users and their vehicles. This will make everyone using the car park feel safer, which is good for them and good for business - they'll be more likely to come back in the future if they feel comfortable using your services.

7. Signage

Without clear signs, it's easy for drivers to get confused about where to park and what the rules are. Your CPMP should map out a signage strategy that guides drivers, explains parking regulations, and clearly marks designated areas.

8. Operational Procedures

This section will outline the day-to-day operations of the car park. It will detail procedures for staff (e.g. security and maintenance), handling lost and found items,  responding to complaints, and any other operational aspects.

9. Sustainability Considerations

Car parks can take a serious toll on the environment, which is why it's important to find ways to lighten their footprint. Your CPMP should consider eco-friendly options like secure bike storage, charging stations for electric vehicles, and even solar panels to help power the whole operation.

10. Communication

Your CPMP should include clear communication strategies for parking policies and any updates. This could involve things like regular announcements or an easy-to-access information hub. It's also good to gather feedback from users - setting up mechanisms like surveys or suggestion boxes can help you understand what's working well and identify areas for improvement. This two-way communication keeps users informed and helps you make the plan even better.

11. Monitoring and Evaluation

It's all well and good to have a plan, but to make sure it's working, you need to track its effectiveness. Your CPMP should include a way to monitor how well it's doing. This could involve tracking how often parking spaces are used, identifying areas that seem to have more trouble than others, and then tweaking the plan based on what you learn.

Britannia Parking: The UK's Leading Choice for Car Park Management

Is your car park underperforming? Britannia Parking, the UK's trusted leader in car park management, can help you unlock its full potential. With over 25 years of experience and 800+ car parks managed, we can create and implement a customised CPMP that maximises revenue and streamlines operations for your property.

Book a no-obligation consultation to see how Britannia Parking can transform your car park today!