A wave of refurbishments has recently been completed across a number of city centre car park facilities to improve the user experience, and safeguard against anti-social behaviour.

National Car Parks (NCP) is the UK’s largest and longest standing car park operator. NCP engaged with global high-speed door specialists EFAFLEX to advise and design bespoke solutions on a variety of projects across the UK. Sites included London, Birmingham and Manchester, as part of the initial roll-out programme which followed a successful trial.

The key factors that NCP were looking to overcome included increasing the security and confidence of the car park’s users with many facilities being operational 24/7 to maximise ticket sales. Longevity, performance and reliability of use were also key, with the facilities needing to look and function seamlessly.

Michael Taylor, EFAFLEX’s specialist for the car park sector in the UK stated, ‘Operators are definitely looking to enhance their facilities as customers are expecting a sleeker, faster, and safer experience. There is undoubtedly an increase in the ANPR, ticket-less style operations, where barriers and machines are being replaced with automatic roller shutter doors at the entrance and exits for an improved user experience. Ease of use such as visitors paying for their stay up to a day later on mobile devices is becoming the new norm.’

Taylor went on to say, ‘EFAFLEX manufacture the world’s fastest vertically opening door. This speed of operation (opening and closing) reduces exposure and minimises unwanted access. Where lintels are low, or headroom restricted, we have a model to suit. Ventilation or transparent laths can be incorporated into the door blade and we can even colour match the facade to corporate brands such as the distinctive NCP yellow.’

The revamping of the NCP portfolio is part of a multi million pound project to incorporate high-speed shutters, CCTV and door entry systems to improve user friendliness and offer improved value. Within a few weeks, five out of seven multi storeys within Birmingham were planned to feature shuttered access for vehicles and door readers for pedestrian access; all measures to help safeguard against anti-social behaviour with the changes being ‘very popular’ reports Brian Devonshire, NCP’s area manager.

Take this one stage further, with slicker, smoother, automated entrance and exit flow, congestion around the surrounding areas could be reduced. No waiting cars, no delays, and safer facilities to use. NCP is just one of EFAFLEX’s many customers which operate car park facilities with others including APCOA, Q Park as well as residential developers and commercial clients.