Operator c2c has achieved the prestigious “Park Mark Safer Parking” award for two more of its car parks.

The station car parks at Westcliff and Thorpe Bay have joined those at Upminster, Leigh-on-Sea and Rainham in fulfilling the British Transport Police criteria for “Safer Parking” facilities.

The award is made following a strict scrutiny of the security measures at each car park and application for renewal has to be made each year. c2c has upgraded CCTV and lighting at these five stations, as well as clearly marking out the parking spaces and cutting back vegetation that can obscure sight-lines and provide hiding places for those intent on mischief. These actions have led to a considerable reduction in the level of anti-social behaviour – a key indicator of the success of the programme c2c has introduced and one of the criteria on which the application for the award is based.

Route Director Kevin Frazer said: “c2c has a made it a priority – along with that of providing a safe and punctual rail service – to make our stations and premises as secure as we can for our customers. The “Park Mark Safer Parking” award is demonstrates how seriously we take the security of the railway environment and, just as important, it is good news for our customers who use these station car parks as they can now park their cars there with a greater degree of confidence. We are now in the process of rolling out the programme of work at other stations so that we can apply for the “Park Mark” for them also.