Congratulations Middlesbrough Council on excellent DPA success! 

Ten public pay and display car parks operated by Middlesbrough Council have received Disabled Parking Accreditations (DPA). Middlesbrough council have shown a real commit to improving parking for their disabled constituents in adopting the DPA.

The DPA is a not-for-profit accreditation which focuses on improving the personal mobility of disabled motorists by recognising off-street parking facilities are accessible to disabled people. Additionally, the accreditation identifies those car park operators who actively set out to manage and reduce the abuse and misuse of parking spaces provided for disabled motorists. Local authorities that achieve the DPA will not only be demonstrating to their constituents that they are committed to providing high quality parking facilities for disabled people in their car parks, but also to raising standards across the parking sector. The DPA, a recognised certification mark, is owned by Disabled Motoring UK and administered by the British Parking Association.

These car parks should also be further congratulated for achieving Park Mark for the twelfth consecutive year. Park Mark is awarded to facilities that pass a rigorous risk assessment conducted by the Police and British Parking Association. The criteria are known to reduce the opportunity for crime and create a safer environment for the motorist and their vehicle. This is demonstrated by the low level of reported crimes within Middlesbrough Council-operated car parks, with just two incidents of crime recorded in the past year across all of the sites.

British Parking Association Area Manager Ryan Davey, said: “These awards show commitment and hard work by staff to ensure facilities are kept to a high standard and cater for all users.”

Graham Footer, CEO Disabled Motoring UK, said: “Middlesbrough council should be applauded in their efforts to make sure disabled motorists can know and trust that when they visit one of their pay-and-display car parks there will be the right parking provision for their needs and that Blue Badge bays are enforced correctly. The Disabled Parking Accreditation provides this consumer confidence. We hope that other local authorities will follow the example set by Middlesbrough council.”

Craig Cowley, planning and delivery manager for Middlesbrough Council, said: “Safe, secure and accessible parking is a vital element in a vibrant and prosperous city centre. These awards are recognition of the hard work that goes into maintaining these facilities to the standard expected by those who live, work in and visit central Middlesbrough.”