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This year, 24 car parks across West Dorset and Weymouth have been awarded the UK recognised Park Mark Award compared to 14 car parks in 2015.

A Park Mark is awarded to parking facilities that have passed requirements of a risk assessment conducted by the Police. These requirements include:

• Quality management
• Appropriate lighting
• Effective surveillance
• Clean environment

Chas Cannon, Senior Area Manager for the British Parking Association, said: “I am delighted that both Weymouth and Portland, and West Dorset Councils can see the importance and benefits of achieving the Park Mark awards for their car parks. It shows that they are committed to providing safe and secure parking for their residents and visitors. More people are becoming aware of the Park Mark brand and searching for it when choosing where to park.”




10 West Dorset District Council-run car parks received the award as well as 14 run by Weymouth & Portland Borough Council.

Achieving the Park Mark award means the district and borough councils have put in place measures to help deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour. Thereby doing everything the councils can to prevent crime and reduce the fear of crime in the areas’ parking facilities.

Deputy Neighbourhood Inspector, Tony Burden of Weymouth police, said: “While crime levels remain low within our public car parks, we are keen to support this initiative to ensure this remains the case and the public feel secure when using the car parks at any time of day.”

Cllr Peter Shorland, Chairman of West Dorset District Council, said: “It is important to provide safe car parking for residents and visitors. Achieving the Park Mark award demonstrates this and highlights the great work being done by our parking team to improve our parking infrastructure.”

Cllr Colin Huckle, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Briefholder for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “It’s great that even more car parks have been awarded compared to last year. We take great pride in providing suitable, safe parking for our residents and visitors.”