The country's first ever Park & Cycle facility improves the health of its users and safeguards the local environment. Now it has been confirmed that it also plays an important part in combating crime and anti-social behaviour.
The country's first ever Park & Cycle facility improves the health of its users and safeguards the local environment. Now it has been confirmed that it also plays an important part in combating crime and anti-social behaviour.
The Cambridge Park and Cycle, set up by the University of Cambridge in 2001, has received high praise from Britain’s senior police body for its security features. Chief Superintendent Rob Needle, from Cambridgeshire Constabulary, presented a Safer Parking Award to the University this week in recognition.
Situated off Madingley Road on the edge of the University’s growing West Cambridge development area, the Park & Cycle provides secure parking and cycle storage for University staff driving in from outlying areas. In addition to freeing up parking space in the city centre, it provides an economic and healthy alternative way for staff to travel the last couple of miles into work each day.
Chris Lewis, University Head of Security said: “The Park & Cycle is a fine environmentally friendly initiative. We are pleased that police have confirmed that it is also a safe one.”
“I am very pleased to see all the facilities on the site,” said Chief Superintendent Rob Needle. “The general security features here mean that motorists can park their cars here with confidence. It is this sort of initiative which has helped to contribute to a significant reduction in vehicle crime in Cambridge. However, cycle crime remains a serious problem in and around the city so I particularly welcome this project, which both encourages the use of cycles and again gives confidence to owners that their machines can be safely stored overnight. It simultaneously meets the Local Partnership Agenda of helping to create a more green and healthy Cambridge and enables people to enjoy cycling in confidence that their cars and cycles are stored safely.”
The Safer Parking Award scheme is an initiative of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and run by the British Parking Association, which is aimed at reducing crime and the fear of crime in parking areas across the country. Features at the Cambridge Park and Cycle include individual bike lockers, six CCTV cameras, a good standard of lighting, regular security patrols, controlled vehicle access and four help points linked through to the University Security Office. The landscape planting has been designed to avoid providing cover where people can lurk and there is a security fence around the whole site.
A recent travel to work survey showed that 43% of University staff cycle to work against a Cambridge average of 15.3%.
Spare parking spaces and cycle lockers are now available for University staff for just £1 per year, by contacting the Park & Cycle hotline on 01223 330285 or ajp96@admin.cam.ac.uk
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