NCP Partnership with Reading Borough Council will end in October

FOLLOWING a strategic financial review of many of its operations, a decision has been taken by Reading Borough Council to bring the operation of its off-street car parking back under Council control, rather than through an external contract

. This will end the long-standing partnership between Reading Borough Council and NCP of over 12 years. As a result NCP will no longer operate the Council-owned sites on its behalf from October 4th. The changes apply to the following car parks: Multi-storey Car Parks:

• Broad Street Mall
• Queens Road

Surface Level Car Parks:

• Cattle Market
• Dunstall Close, Tilehurst
• Recreation Road, Tilehurst
• King’s Meadow
• Hills Meadow
• Chester Street, Caversham
• Civic B (near the Hexagon)

Customers will be unable to use their NCP season tickets on the above car parks from October 4th. Tickets will therefore be cancelled and a pro-rata refund will be issued if one is due. NCP is offering a special discounted parking rate for any season ticket customers whose permit expires before the deadline and still needs to park before the new council season ticket is valid. These customers will be able to park on either Broad Street Mall or Queens Road for this period. All NCP season ticket and NCP ParkPass ticket customers have been written to and given details on how to activate their unique parking rate and how to get in contact with Reading Borough Council in order to obtain a new season ticket. Any enquiries until October 3rd can be directed to Sales.Admin@ncp.co.uk and for enquiries regarding new season tickets please email Reading Borough Council at: carpark.enquiries@reading.gov.uk

Max Crane-Robinson, NCP Commercial Director, said:

“NCP would like to thank all our customers who have parked with us during our management period over the years at the council car parks. We have thoroughly enjoyed delivering a crucial service and being a part of this vibrant borough and community and will continue to deliver the much needed car parking products and services to the growing business and retail community from our site at Garrard Street. "We would also like to thank Reading Borough Council for the way in which they have worked together with us as true partners in the 12 year partnership. We wish them well.”

Councillor Tony Page, Reading’s Lead Member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said:

“We would like to thank NCP for its professional management of the Council’s car parks during our 12-year partnership. The decision to bring the management of the Council’s car parks back under its direct control followed a financial review of its operations and their future sustainability. In no way should it reflect negatively on NCP which has worked in close co-operation with Reading Borough Council for many years.”