One of the main components of a successful and convenient car park is undoubtedly having good signage. The signage in your car park should be clear and concise, so that drivers are aware of any parking rules. In most cases, good signage improves the parking experience for motorists, thereby increasing revenue, reducing problems, and preventing unauthorised parking.
Even though this sounds straightforward, getting the signage just right can sometimes be a challenge. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are complying with all statutory requirements, and that all rules and regulations are communicated to drivers in a clear and straightforward manner. This is especially true when it comes to rules around car parking enforcement, as failure to do so can result in lost revenue. In the UK, parking signs on private land must follow the code of practice laid down by an accredited trade association such as the British Parking Association. So, if you are a car park owner or someone who is considering opening up a car park on your land and are unsure of what signage you should have, we have put together some information.
Make Your Signs Clear and Transparent
A key component of car park management is clear signs. Your signs should be clear, straightforward, and address all the fundamental issues in the most effective manner. This information will more than likely need to be displayed in a small space. Your car park might have varying restrictions during different times of the day, so you should make that clear. Make sure all your parking hours and charges are clearly displayed on your parking signs.
Remember Directions are Equally as Important as Restrictions.
A good car park sign should always include all relevant directional information along with restrictions and charges. In this age of smart technology, this information could be where the nearest pay-and-display machine is located or how to pay on your phone. Be sure that entry and exit points are clearly marked. Don’t forget that the entrance sign is essential to initiating the contract between driver and car park. You should also include directions to spaces within the car park reserved for specific users, such as disabled bays, parent-child spaces, and motorcycle spaces.
Make Sure All Your Signs are Weatherproof
Because of the uncertain and changing nature of the climate in the UK it is important all signage is resistant to adverse conditions. Signs should be weatherproof and durable enough to withstand heavy rain, snow, or prolonged exposure to the sun. If your sign becomes damaged or faded to a point where patrons find it difficult to read it could invalidate parking charges. If you have a car park attendant on site, one of their tasks should be to regularly check the signage.
Signs Should be in the Correct Position
It is crucial that any signs are placed in the correct place, whether that be at the entrance to the car park or throughout it. In the event that your signs are not placed in the right place, they could be missed by car park users, causing confusion and possible misuse of the parking space. Furthermore, you should regularly check your signs to ensure they have not been covered up either accidentally or intentionally, as information that is not clearly visible can result in revenue loss or illegal parking.
Make Sure All Signs Comply with BPA Regulations
It is important to comply with all relevant and current codes of practice and regulations when installing signage on your car park. If you plan to issue PCNs, we recommend that all car park owners join the British Parking Association and adhere to their codes of practice. Signs that do not comply with BPA can lead to drivers challenging penalty charges in court, potentially resulting in you losing revenue. The logos of your accrediting bodies should appear on all your signs, as this will demonstrate that you are a legitimate operator, and that parking is safe here.
I hope the tips we have provided in this article will help you ensure that your car park has all the appropriate signs in the correct places and containing all the necessary information.
