Recognition at the British Parking Awards
The recently inaugurated parking structure at Stevenage Railway Station has earned a prestigious national distinction.
Inaugurated this past May, the facility was honored with the title of Best New Car Park during the British Parking Awards ceremony.
The multistorey car park at Stevenage railway station opened in May 2023. (Image: Chris Winter Photography / Huber / Stevenage Borough Council / Canva)
A Modern Parking Solution
Boasting 622 parking slots, the structure also provides dedicated areas for electric vehicle charging and special spaces reserved for blue badge holders. Its distinctive exterior pays tribute to Stevenage’s notable contributions in the realms of science and technology, offering a visual treat to those entering the town via rail.
The accolade for Best New Car Park is given to structures that showcase “outstanding design and construction techniques that turn car parks into landmark structure”.
Multiple Accolades for the Facility
But this isn’t the sole recognition the parking facility has garnered since its inauguration. It has also achieved the Park Mark Plus award, marking it as the premier parking structure in Hertfordshire to earn this distinction.
This particular award evaluates various aspects including services, operations, and the overall design and construction of the facility.
Funding and Construction Details
Constructed by HUBER Car Park Systems, the project was made possible through financial support from the government’s Towns Fund. Stevenage Borough Council was the beneficiary of a generous £37.5m from this fund, aimed at rejuvenating the town.
An additional £1.1m was sourced from the substantial Growth Deal, a grant from the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Leadership Speaks
Cllr Richard Henry, the head of Stevenage Borough Council (SBC), expressed,
“This facility has been judged as being best in class and through its bold design marks not only the scientific milestones that have come from the town but also creates a real welcome to Stevenage. We are meeting the expectations of consumers in the modern day and providing for the future with a car park with experience and useability at its heart, which includes dedicated secure cycle parking. Both of these accreditations are fantastic and set the standard for partnership working across the town and county.”
Cllr Lloyd Briscoe, the executive member responsible for economy and transport at SBC, remarked, “I hope that people enjoy using an award-winning car park which is safe, accessible and well-maintained.”
Stakeholders Share Their Thoughts
Adrian Hawkins OBE, chairperson of both the Stevenage Development Board and Hertfordshire LEP, shared,
“We are raising the bar for town centre transformations by planning and delivering to the highest specification, and this award is a brilliant reflection of our shared commitment to excellence.”
Lastly, Markus Lauble, the head of HUBER Car Park Systems UK, conveyed,
“From the project’s inception, we’ve had a constructive, candid, and transparent collaboration with Stevenage Borough Council. We’re thrilled that the final result is an award-winning mobility hub that we can all take immense pride in.”