Directory

Access tools

Set Text size

A

|

A

|

A

Set Contrast

A

|

A

|

A

Text only
Translation
Listen

News

Parking Hits the Mark with Poole Opinion Panel

Poole Opinion Panel has given the improvements  to car parking facilities in Poole the thumbs up in the Summer 2006 Survey .

The survey of 1,600 residents revealed that 69% of those questioned were very or fairly satisfied with car parking in Poole showing an increase of 6% since 2005. The investment in car park security over the past 12 months has had a positive impact, with 98% of those surveyed feeling safe in Poole’s car parks in the day, an increase of 8%. It also revealed more people are feeling safe when using car parks at night, with 79% feeling that their vehicle is secure, an increase of 12%.

To coincide with these results the Borough of Poole are expecting to celebrate a successful inspection by the National Park Mark Safer Parking Scheme on Sandbanks and the Dolphin Swimming Pool car parks next month. If the inspection is successful it means that the car parks have been assessed to a standard that provides a safer and well managed environment for customers, and have measures in place to reduce criminal activity. All of Poole’s MSCP car parks including the Dolphin Shopping Centre, Quay Visitors and High Street Shops and Shoppers 1 & 2 in the Town Centre have previously been accredited by the scheme.

Over the past year the Borough of Poole has been concentrating on improving all car parks. The Quay Visitors car park has had particular focus on its exterior look including the entrances. There has also been strong focus on crime in car parks with an effort to reduce crime levels to an all time low by working as part of the Poole Safe Together Partnership. As well as continued site patrols, audible warning systems have been installed in all MSCP car parks to ask people not to leave valuables on display. Reusable posters have also been provided for people to display on their vehicles stating that no valuables have been left in the vehicle, as valuables left on display are one of the major causes of crime.

Further improvements are planned over the next two years including replacing all the fire doors, and steps are in place in the MSCP car parks to ensure they continue to be compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

Cllr Ron Parker, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Local Economy and Transport said; “I am delighted that the Poole Opinion Panel survey as has highlighted such positive results for our car parks. We work closely with the Police to find new ways to combat crime in car parks and our initiatives are proving to be successful in reducing crime levels.”

Richard Hein, Parking Services Manager said; “We are proactive in making sure the car parks in Poole are clean, tidy and safe and we always seek to carry out improvements. With this in mind I am confident that we will pass the impending inspection by Park Mark on the Sandbanks and Dolphin Swimming Pool car parks.”

Lisa Gaskell, Communications, Borough of Poole on tel: 01202 633060