Heaton Moor Medical Centre is a busy doctor’s surgery in Stockport, Cheshire. A rapidly growing practice, the medical centre has 23,500 patients on its books and is home to 20 staff, who were finding parking at the centre troublesome due to the large number of site users. As a result, the centre’s manager wanted to create an easy-to-access staff car park that would enable staff to park without disrupting the daily running of the centre.
The solution proposed was a simple one. Create two car parks, one for staff and one for visitors, by dividing the large communal car park in two using an automatic arm barrier. Benjamin Armitage, the company responsible for the on-site works, was aware of the wide range of access controls in the AUTOPA range and contacted AUTOPA to assist.
AUTOPA visited Heaton Moor to conduct a site survey and get a fuller understanding of the site layout and the centre’s needs. This survey identified that the best solution was to install a four metre Automatic Arm Barrier at the entrance of the new staff parking area; thereby splitting the existing car park into two while also controlling access into the staff car park.
It was imperative that the new barrier didn’t interfere with the daily running of the practice. All members of staff were given a remote key fob to control the barrier, allowing them to access the car park without disrupting their normal routine. To maximise safety, a loop was installed beneath the barrier’s boom to ensure the barrier only closed once vehicles were fully clear.
Alongside the car park changes, the redevelopment of the site created an additional entrance to the centre, and the Practice Manager wanted to safely guide pedestrians to the new entrance using a designated path. Seven Perimeter Barriers were installed along the edge of this pathway, forming an effective barrier between pedestrians and vehicles, without reducing the size of the pathway or the car park.
Finally, Heaton Moor wanted to promote a sustainable, healthy lifestyle through the addition of a secure cycle parking area. The modern and elegant design of the VELOPA Cambourne Cycle Shelter matched the style of the refurbished medical centre perfectly. A three metre shelter was paired with four Sheffield Cycle Stands at the practice, creating a secure storage area for up to eight bicycles at once.
The new access control and cycle parking facilities have enhanced the site for staff and patients alike. Staff can now arrive at work safe in the knowledge that a parking space will always be available while the Perimeter Barriers have created a clear and safe pedestrian footpath around the car park, protecting staff and visitors as they approach the building. Overall the car park is now a safer, more autonomous area, allowing the centre manager more time to dedicate to the daily operation of the practice, rather than managing car parking concerns.
