titlepage/contents pg 1-16 - British Parking Association

170 Chapter 11available from the shop via thetelephone or on the Internet.Communication byprivate companiesPrivate sector companies do notnormally have to deal with thepublic in the same formal way asa local authority. A private carpark operator, however, doeshave a contractual relationshipwith its clients and, by means ofits published information, doesneed to make clear whatconditions are associated withthe use of its facilities. Manypeople believe, incorrectly, thatwhen they use a car park theoperator takes over responsibilityfor the safe keeping of their car.The Occupiers Liability Acts (1and 2) place someresponsibilities on the operators,but this includes ultimateresponsibility for the vehicle onlyif they have taken possession ofit (ie, they have the keys).Otherwise their liability is limitedto the actions of their staff andfailures of systems andequipment. Thus, if another carreversed into a parked vehicle,the car park operator would notbe liable, whereas if the car parkattendant dropped a litterbin onthe car they would.Information about the owner’sliability is often provided either invery small print on the ticket orby a remote legalistic noticewhich the driver may not see or,if they do, it is located where it isquite impractical for a driver tostop and read it before enteringthe car park. Conflict can beavoided by clear simple noticeswhich set out not only the legallimitations on the operator’sliabilities but also provide theuser with a point of contactwhere they can get clarificationor pursue a claim.Providing informationInformation about parkingavailability in an area can bemade available in a number ofways, some passive, some proactive,and some interactive.Whichever method is used, localauthorities should ensure thatthe information not only relatesto drivers’ interests, but alsohelps people to choosealternative means of travel. Inthis way information andmarketing should support thewider transport objectives of thecouncil. Examples of such multimodalinformation and promotionmight include:● Car park informationpromoting park-and-ride asthe preferred option;● Live radio updates giving theoperational status of publictransport services as well asroads and parking;● Leaflets designed astransport leaflets showingbus, cycle and walkingroutes as well as car parksand main roads; and● Pre-payment facilities withvalidity on public transportservices as well as forparking.Maps and GuidesUser surveys in West Sussexhave revealed that theproduction of parking informationleaflets and publicity is animportant aspect of on-goingcommunication. Local peopleusually know where their town’scar parks are. For everyone elsea good parking map is essential.The map, if possible, should be atown or city promotion map, onwhich parking information isshown along with other transportinformation. Such a promotionalmap needs to show as aminimum:● The main town centreattractions;● The main transport accesspoints, including stations,bus stations andshopmobility points;● The location of all thepublicly available car parks;●●●The main routes to the towncentre so that drivers canorientate themselves;One-way streets and accessroutes; andTourist information offices,public transport and parking“shops” or other places