Keeping refurbishments on track

When the time comes, CP Plus will bring in specialist refurbishment contractors to upgrade both surface and multi-storey car parks. The company will also project manage refurbishments for clients. “We managed the upgrade at Mutley Plain for Plymouth Council as well as numerous hospital car parks nationally,” says Povey. However much they prepare, car park operators like CP Plus are dependent on local highways authorities to keep the roads leading to their sites clear. “Where access roads belong to the car park then we do it,” says Povey. “If they are adopted roads, then we can’t and it’s up to the relevant highways authority.” Gritting is at the heart of any winter resilience package. Throughout the summer the company has been stockpiling reserves of sand and salt. “On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being very, very important, having enough gritting material is a 10 obviously.” CP Plus staff are trained in snow clearance and, where this service is part of its contract, they are equipped with manual grit spreaders for footpaths and gritting trailers for the car parks. “At sites where we manage gritting ourselves, we set up an alert with the Met Office so that if the ground temperature is going to freeze we get an early warning,” says Povey. “We also use sub-contractors who monitor the weather in the same way and undertake the gritting for us.” While there are a number of weather forecasting and alert services on the market, Povey recommends the Met Office. “The Met Office is very good, and very, very good value – it’s free!” Povey will be hoping councils and the Highways Agency are also well prepared when the thermometers plunge.