This week (1st Nov) saw the opening of the new Broad Marsh Car Park in Nottingham City Centre. The previous car park and bus station was demolished to make way for the new state-of-the-art facility. The new car park is located next to the brand-new Nottingham Central Library also designed by Leonard Design Architects.
How green is the new car park?
720 solar panels on the roof of the new Broad Marsh Car Park are expected to save more than 53 tonnes of carbon in its first year – that’s the equivalent of driving a standard car almost 500,000 miles!
A total of 81 fast EV charge points – the largest installation in one location in the UK – will make it easier for people to drive greener.
Additional sustainability measures at the car park and bus station include:
- A vehicle management system which consists of electronic signs and lights showing available parking spaces, reducing vehicle movements and congestion
- Sensor controlled safety doors to the bus concourse. Doors will only open and close when the bus is in the bay, ensuring passenger safety, helping to retain a warm waiting area, and reducing exposure to fumes
- An installation of 720 solar panels on the roof, providing renewable electrical energy to power the car park and bus station
- Sensor controlled ventilation system which adapts with the car park ventilation requirements, removing harmful fumes
- Charging infrastructure for buses to cater for future requirements
- Highly intelligent and energy efficient lighting
- Energy Performance Certificate ‘A’ rated
- ‘A’ rated efficient boilers
- Use of highly recyclable materials, including steel, concrete and glass
- Use of long life and low maintenance materials for the deck coatings and bus station
- Changes taking place around the new building will create new pedestrianised spaces and introduce bus-only sections of road by moving traffic away from the city centre, as well as increasing planting and greenery in the area.
How has the approach to the car park changed?
The old road layout severed the city and meant that people had to cross eight busy lanes of traffic when arriving at the station to reach the city centre. We want to turn this area into a place for people rather than cars, and create a more welcoming environment for people to linger in. The Southern Relief Route (detailed in the map above) is a more appropriate route for through traffic connecting Maid Marian Way with London Road and the entrance to the car park.
For more information on the new Broad Marsh Car Park, click the button below.