Truckstop @ Ashford International latest to receive top parking award
Ashford International Truckstop has demonstrated the highest standards across their operations.
Park Mark Freight is a new and comprehensive assessment managed by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives and the British Parking Association that seeks to enhance the highest quality of today’s lorry parks and facilities in services and operations. The extension of Safer Parking to truck stops and lorry parks meets a growing demand for efficient, well-managed and high-quality lorry parks and truck stops to combat vehicle and cargo crime.
Park Mark Freight builds upon the Safer Parking Scheme’s Park Mark® Award by introducing essential criteria. The Park Mark® is primarily aimed at the prevention of criminal behaviour within the parking environment and requires owners/operators to adopt an active management strategy to ensure that there is minimal occurrence of crime. The freight industry experiences a high volume of cargo theft and the main Safer Parking Scheme Assessment Guidelines do not explicitly cover this type of business.
To be granted Park Mark Freight, a parking facility must demonstrate a wide range of responsibilities, which include low crime, measures in place to enhance the safety of people and vehicles, good management and operations, and exemplary customer service. Facilities are subject to an annual assessment to ensure these high standards are maintained.
Operations Director, Darren Smith said “AIT is so pleased to receive this great award, we work so hard to provide a high level of security, keeping our customers safe and well-rested for their journey ahead. Our facilities are 5-star and offer everything a driver needs within their stay including a 24/7 Restaurant and bar, retail outlets, shower privacy pods, WCs and vanity areas, laundry, accommodation, a gym, gaming, reception services, and much more. We look forward to greeting you on your next visit.”
Ian Wilson, BPA Area Manager for the South East said: “Darren and his team run a superb facility and go the extra mile to provide everything their customers need to ensure they are happy and refreshed when continuing on with their journey. I am beyond pleased to announce that Ashford International Truckstop has achieved the Park Mark Freight Award. Throughout the accreditation process, Darren's team continually demonstrated their commitment to providing a safe environment for users.”
For more information visit www.britishparking.co.uk/park-mark-freight
To find Park Mark awarded car parks visit www.parkmark.co.uk
Notes to editors
- The BPA represents the UK’s parking and traffic management profession and currently has over 750 corporate members. This diverse membership includes local government, private landowners, private parking operators, technology companies, consultants, property developers, architects, and academics. In addition, we support over 500 individuals with their professional development through a separate membership structure
- The BPA is a not-for-profit organisation, working collaboratively with members and stakeholders to support local communities by providing the parking services they need and improving compliance with parking rules and regulations. This is always with an emphasis on excellence & innovation in service delivery, encouraging education and fairness.
- The Safer Parking Scheme is a national standard for UK car parks that have low crime and measures in place to ensure the safety of people and vehicles. A Park Mark is awarded to each car park that achieves the challenging standards. The distinctive Park Mark signage helps drivers find car parks where they can confidently leave their vehicle, knowing the environment is safer
- The BPA manages the Safer Parking Scheme on behalf of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives Ltd (Police-CPI) and with support from the Home Office and the Scottish Government. Nine Area Managers are employed by the BPA to actively promote and manage the scheme throughout the UK.