Electronic Parking signs unveiled in City

'ParkSmart' will see the city centre divided into five colour-coded zones which reflect the individual character of each area. They are: Royal, Castle, Broadmarsh, Lace Market and Victoria. Each zone has a unique colour and symbol.

The first ParkSmart road signs to be installed were a mixture of directional signs, car park information signs and tourist information sign. The new electronic signs will give people up-to-the-minute information on the number of car parking spaces. If the nearest car park is full, the signs will point the motorist in the direction of the nearest car park which has availability.

The first electronic sign will be one of 44 electronic signs going in and will be installed in the Victoria Zone on Huntingdon Street. There will be 81 new ParkSmart signs including car park information, direction signs and tourist information signs.

Over the coming months the zone symbols will be incorporated onto new state-of-the-road signs, so that motorists will be able to easily recognise which zone they are approaching or are in.

Linked to ParkSmart is the Nottingham Navigator project which will help pedestrians find their way around the city. There will be 29 navigator units throughout the city, each one will show which ParkSmart zone they are currently in, highlight nearby points of interest such as tourist attractions, leisure and retail offer as well as historical information about the surrounding area. Additionally 30 fingerposts will also accompany these 29 navigator units.

Councillor Jane Urquhart, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Area Working at Nottingham City Council said; "Nottingham City Council is investing Central Government Funding to be the first city in the UK to integrate pedestrian and parking signing which will make it easier for people visiting the city as well as cutting congestion and parking queues.

"Plans for ParkSmart have been developed over the last three years in consultation with key partners including the city's car parking operators, hoteliers and attractions groups as well as Experience Nottinghamshire. Once implemented, ParkSmart will help to save residents and businesses time and money by cutting the cost of congestion and parking queues in the city.

"The strategy will have significant benefits for promoting Nottingham and the ease with which people will be able locate tourist attractions by using the ParkSmart and Navigator zoning system to help them find their way around the city. Reducing congestion and providing positive vehicle guidance will assist the delivery of a cleaner, greener Nottingham."

The first electronic sign will be installed in the Victoria Zone on Huntingdon Street outside the new Aldi store. The new sign will be unveiled by Cllr Jane Urquhart on Monday July 20th at 1.15pm. All media are welcome to attend the unveiling for interview and photography opportunities.

City centre businesses can download free ParkSmart maps and symbols to use on their marketing materials so visitors will be able to identify how to reach them more easily in the future. Visit: ParkSmart

The whole scheme is expected to be launched by the end of October.