What we look for in a site – and why we sometimes say No
When people get in touch with us, it’s usually for one reason: They want their car park to work better.
They’re not asking for a redesign. Or a whole new system. They just want it to stop being a source of stress - for them, their tenants, their visitors.
And the real question behind it all is whether we can help.
It’s not always a simple yes - because in our experience, enforcement only really works when the car park is ready for it.
That doesn’t mean everything has to be perfect - just that the basics need to work. Or at least be fixable.
So, before we commit, we look closely at what’s already there. The layout, the way vehicles move, the signage, the types of users - and where things tend to go wrong.
If a few things need tweaking, we’ll help sort them. But if the fundamentals aren’t in place - or can’t be - we’ll be honest about that too.
Control doesn’t come from cracking down - it comes from setting things up properly in the first place.
When enforcement isn’t the first step
It’s tempting to treat enforcement as the fix - the thing that brings back control when things have slipped.
But enforcement only works when the rest of the system supports it. And most car parks that aren’t working well already have issues built into the layout, signage, access, or expectations.
In those cases, enforcement doesn’t solve the problem - it spotlights it.
That’s why we start by looking at what’s getting in the way of compliance. Is it unclear signage? Awkward access? Frustrated users trying to make the best of a difficult setup?
If so, we’ll deal with that first. Because otherwise, you’re enforcing around confusion - not correcting misuse.
Design is not a detail
We always begin with the physical layout - because it shapes everything else.
Are bays clearly marked? Are routes in and out obvious? Do the signs back up what people see and experience?
If so, there’s something to work with.
But if the car park feels improvised or inconsistent - tight angles, missing signs, patchy markings - even a fair system will feel arbitrary.
People will fall foul of rules they didn’t see. Or misread what they thought applied to them. Or give up trying to interpret the logic and just park wherever they can.
And that’s when complaints start - not because of bad intent, but bad setup.
So, we ask: Can someone use this car park confidently, without needing to guess?
If not, the layout needs attention before the enforcement does.
The system has to be enforceable - and defensible
We follow the latest codes, of course - including signage, visibility, and all legal contract requirements.
But legality isn’t the whole story.
It also needs to feel right:
· Is the messaging clear?
· Is the signage consistent?
· Do the markings reflect the rules being applied?
If not, enforcement becomes harder to explain - and easier to challenge.
So we look carefully at what’s already in place. If something needs fixing before a system goes live, we’ll fix it.
Because we want to be confident standing behind what we install. And you should feel confident too.
We support fair enforcement - not aggressive enforcement
Sometimes clients approach us looking for a crackdown. They want strict rules, tough penalties, and fast results.
But that’s not how we work.
We believe in enforcement that creates order, not anxiety. That backs up the rules - but also understands how people actually behave.
That means:
· Encouraging compliance
· Protecting fair users
· Listening to appeals
· Fixing errors quickly
· Making the rules easy to follow, not easy to miss
We’ll always hold the line. But we won’t punish people for system flaws - and we won’t partner with clients who expect us to.
Because the car park reflects you - and us.
We only say Yes when we’re sure it’ll work
Most car parks don’t need a big redesign. They just need a proper look - and a plan that’s practical, not perfect.
Often, that means making a few changes:
· A new sign here
· Clearer lines there
· A better way to manage short-stay users
· A rethinking of where and how people move
We’ll help shape that with you.
But if it’s clear that enforcement won’t work - at least not yet - we’ll say so. Not because we don’t want the business, but because it wouldn’t be the right answer.
And when we do say yes, it’s because we’ve looked closely. We understand how the car park is used. We’ve identified the pressure points. We’ve made the necessary changes. And we’re confident the system will deliver what it’s meant to.
Clear rules. Smooth flow. Less stress. And a car park that works better - for everyone who uses it.
