Park Active adopted by University Hospitals Tees

University Hospital Tees has adopted the Park Active scheme at The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough. The trust has arranged for over 100 parking spaces to be part of the scheme, partnering with Everyone Active’s Middlesbrough Sports Village on the project and following in the footsteps of locations in Brighton and Colchester to encourage more cycling, walking, and wheeling, freeing up parking for blue badge holders.

Park Active enables motorists to drive to and leave their vehicle at a designated location before completing the remainder of their journey on foot or by bicycle, with additional Park Active signage to mark out active travel routes. The initiative aims to ensure that active travel routes tailored to local needs are made accessible and achievable to a broad cross section of the community. Park Active signage is visible along Marton Road, leading up to The James Cook University Hospital, encouraging active travel to finish the journey to the hospital.

Park Active offers a free practical framework and nationally consistent branding to car park operators where parking is in high demand, such as at retail and leisure destinations, town and city centres, hospitals and universities. It also frees up space for those with accessible needs who require parking that is close to their destination.

Steve Taylor, director of estates for University Hospital Tees: “So far, we’ve had 60 colleagues sign up to the Park Active scheme.

“It’s important that we continue to think innovatively to improve accessibility for all our staff and visitors. Combining active parking with a local gym membership, has been a valuable addition to our green plan and staff wellbeing

“By encouraging active travel and partnering with local organisations, we’ve not only started to reduce congestion on-site but also supported healthier lifestyles for our staff.”

Isaac Occhipinti, Head of External Affairs for the BPA, said: “We are thrilled to see Park Active expand to include sites under University Hospital Tees, and look forward to it inspiring others to adopt it in 2025.  It’s a practical, low-cost behaviour change tool that helps improve air quality around cities and town centres while promoting healthier modes of travel.”

Paul Ayre, Everyone Active’s Area Contract Manager, said: “We are delighted to play our part in the Park Active scheme at Middlesbrough Sports Village. We are here to help improve the health and wellbeing of people from across the community and this initiative allows us to do just that.”

For more information visit https://www.britishparking-media.co.uk/campaigns/park-active