Information on Loughborough

Park and ride scoops eco award

Posted on 02/11/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Highways, Transportation & Waste Management

30 October 2009

Park and ride scoops eco award *** photo opportunity ***

Leicestershire’s new flagship park and ride has scooped a prestigious environmental sustainability award.

The new £9.2 million site, near Enderby, is a joint venture between Leicester City and Leicestershire County Council and picked up the accolade at the East Midlands Constructing Excellence Awards on 15th October.

Tarmac National Contracting were appointed to construct the scheme - opening on 16th November - using the Midlands Highway Alliance medium schemes framework.

Innovations include the sustainable drainage system for the parking area where there are rainwater storage tanks which feed water into a balancing pond to prevent flooding and create new opportunities for wildlife habitats.

A new, low-energy terminal building will use ground source heat technology, reducing heating costs and energy consumption by up to 15 per cent, whilst cutting carbon emissions from the site.

The geo-thermal ground source heat pump will provide heating, cooling and domestic hot water to the building.

There will also be a zone control system of varying temperatures to all areas including the waiting room and observation area. Ventilation in the toilet areas will be controlled by personnel detectors to ensure they are only activated when required.

Lesley Pendleton, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “The flagship Enderby scheme aims to set a new standard of sustainable and environmental best practice for the design and construction of park and ride schemes across Leicestershire.

“Techniques used in its construction are innovative and forward-thinking and this been recognised through its recent award win.

“It will help to cut congestion on city and county roads, which should have a positive impact on the reduction of noise and pollution.”

Leicester City Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Councillor Patrick Kitterick, added: “The project has strived to consider the impacts of the scheme from planning and design through to construction and whole life costing.

“When completed, the facility will help to significantly reduce the traffic volume from Junction 21 of the M1 and provide an alternative mode of transport to the city centre.

“By encouraging footfall into the city centre, the Enderby park and ride will also contribute to the wider regeneration of the city centre."

Once the project is completed the management of the environmental issues will continue. There is reduced energy consumption required to heat the terminal building and there will be energy savings from street lights at the site being switched off at the end of the day, rather than remaining on low level.

Operating buses will utilise low-emission engines to minimise environmental impact and reduce carbon emissions and journeys will be swift because the route will make use of existing bus lanes to avoid traffic congestion.

Photo Opportunity:

An official ceremony to mark the official completion of the terminal building at the Enderby park and ride will take place on Tuesday 3rd November at 11am. The park and ride is on Leicester Lane, Enderby, LE19 2BS.

Councillors Lesley Pendleton and Patrick Kitterick will officially mark the completion of the terminal building by unveiling a plaque.

Notes:

• Contructing Excellence Award details: East Midlands Centre for Constructing the Built Environment: www.emcbe.com

• Tarmac are the Highway Works Alliance partner with Leicestershire Highways carrying out routine maintenance and resurfacing schemes