At Bransby Wilson, we take great pride in providing bespoke parking solutions that perfectly address our client’s needs and challenges. Our industry experience has given us many opportunities to solve problems that don’t have a straightforward answer, with our Crickley Hill site being a perfect example of this.
This site is managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and draws in more than 50,000 visitors per year. This traffic required an elegant parking system upgrade, as the existing infrastructure was causing visitor and revenue challenges.
In this article, we’ll go over a parking solutions case study at the Crickley Hill site to show you how we implemented a viable and intelligent parking management setup.
Crickley Hill is known for its beautiful landscapes and trails, equipped with popular facilities such as a café, visitor centre, and two large, split-level car parks. However, these car parks faced multiple problems: outdated cash-only payment terminals often out of service and a lack of enforcement that led to many visitors not paying for their parking.
Furthermore, the payment system could not accommodate the yearly memberships sold by the Trust, which added to the complexity of the required solution.
To tackle these issues, our team at Bransby Wilson introduced a cutting-edge parking technology system that was solar-powered and used Flowbird payment terminals. These terminals support multiple payment options, including cash, chip and pin, and contactless transactions tied specifically to the vehicle’s visit, making the transactions non-transferable. This setup was bolstered by installing multi-sim routers with signal boost aerials to overcome the area’s poor signal issues, allowing for reliable card payments.
Moreover, the system was designed to offer flexibility to visitors, allowing them to pay for parking up to 24 hours post-visit, significantly reducing inadvertent non-payments. Enforcement was also strengthened through the deployment of an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, ensuring compliance and proper revenue collection.
The introduction of Bransby Wilson’s parking solutions transformed the operational dynamics at Crickley Hill, making it one of the best Bransby Wilson success stories.
Post-implementation, the Trust immediately noticed a substantial increase in parking revenue, which now accurately reflected the high visitor numbers. The new system also provided valuable data on traffic flow and parking activity, aiding in better business forecasting and operational planning. Visitor feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, appreciating the new system’s ease of use and flexibility.
This project highlighted several best practices key to the success of similar implementations:
1. Adapting technology to meet specific site challenges, such as poor connectivity, is vital.
2. Integrating flexibility and enforcement in payment options can significantly enhance compliance and user satisfaction.
3. Continuous monitoring and data analysis are useful for understanding usage patterns and optimising services accordingly.
Bransby Wilson’s approach demonstrates that a thorough understanding of client needs and challenges, combined with the strategic application of technology, can lead to successful outcomes in facility management.
The case of Crickley Hill serves as a compelling example of how professional parking management services can drastically improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Facilities facing similar challenges should consider the innovative solutions and dedicated service offered by Bransby Wilson, which enhance the user experience and contribute significantly to organisational goals and conservation efforts.