NEPP & SEPP Celebrate Award Success

The very best of parking management was celebrated at the British Parking Awards 2019 last week where the North and South Essex Parking Partnerships (NEPP and SEPP) scooped an unparalleled three of the coveted glass trophies.

The winning categories were in the Communications Award, Parking Partnerships Award and the Car Park Special Projects Award. All of the awards include significant partnership working.

Councillor Robert Mitchell, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways at Essex County Council and Chairman of On-Street Parking at North Essex Parking Partnership, said: "I'm delighted that both the North and South Essex Parking Partnerships has been recognised at the British Parking Awards this year, winning in three categories. We've come a long way since the Partnerships were formed in 2011, thanks to the help of our partner authorities, committee members and innovative leadership, which has revolutionised a service that once operated in deficit; now NEPP & SEPP are thriving organisations that deliver more services on behalf of Essex County Council within the same budgets. Congratulations are due to the both teams."

The Communication Award recognised the imaginative, engaging and informative approach of the joint SEPP and NEPP 3PR initiative, which encourages better parking around primary schools through its '3 Parking Rules'.

Cllr Ron Pratt, Chairman of the South Essex Parking Partnership, said: "We were thrilled to hear that the 3PR initiative won the Communication Award at the British Parking Awards this year. Since the initiative started in 2017, a total of 30 schools in Essex have introduced the scheme which promotes safer parking outside the vicinity of the schools as well as the health benefits of walking, scooting and cycling to school. Positive feedback from teachers about how the scheme has made such a positive difference to congestion outside the school gates and how their pupils love collecting 3PR tokens has been overwhelming. We are proud that this innovative initiative has made such a positive difference and thank you to our partner authorities and schools for all their help in making 3PR such a success."

The NEPP also scooped the Parking Partnerships Award, which recognises the importance of partnership working in the parking sector. NEPP showed how, in adopting new ways of working, it eradicated an operating deficit from the previous system, enabling the transfer of additional services from the County Council at no cost, and focussing on positive, clear and understandable policies.

Thirdly, the NEPP and Colchester Borough Council won the Car Parks: Special Projects Award for the refurbishment of Priory Street Car Park, with support from English Heritage and Colchester + Ipswich Museums. As a result of the refurbishment the car park now benefits from high-quality surfacing, improved landscaping and architectural lighting to celebrate the Roman Town Wall; creating a more attractive area for vehicles and pedestrians.

Councillor Mike Lilley, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Planning, Public Safety and Licensing, said: "I'm extremely pleased that Colchester Council and the NEPP's hard work on the refurbishment of Priory Street Car Park has been recognised at the awards. This investment in our car parks supports both the Borough's economic growth and enables Colchester to make more of its great heritage and culture."