Blackpool Central and Talbot Road, UK

Background

The new Blackpool Central Multi-Store Car Park has been erected as a first stage in the major £300m redevelopment of the former Central Railway Station site, in a central area of the coastal city. The site previously featured a large surface car park, which could not offer sufficient spaces for the expected traffic following the regeneration program.

Its redevelopment has begun as part of the Blackpool Central Indoor Entertainment Park. The new 6-floor fa­cility aims at increasing the capacity to over 1,300 vehicle spaces, with integrated parking technology: cycle and mo­torbike storage, electric vehicle (EV) charging points, large bays, smart pedestrian access devices, and more.

HUB UK has identified the ideal combination of highly reliable hardware and software in a ticketless parking solution featuring LPR technology and multiple payment options.

The Blackpool Central project name relates back to the days when the site housed the resort’s main railway sta­tion. Towards end of the 19th century, it became a classic holiday destination, and this site was once the world’s busiest railway station.

The multi-store car park is the ‘enabling phase’ of a larg­er project of national significance, that includes a major public square for live events, hotels, restaurants, and a food market. It is expected to attract 600,000 additional visi­tors each year and bring millions of pounds of additional spend into the town.

This development aims to elevate and enrich Blackpool’s existing tourism landscape, introducing a world-class, year-round leisure destination equipped with the best in modern access control technology.

Client requirements

• Remote monitoring and management software
• Camera-based License Plate Recognition (LPR) system
• Compact parking stations at the lane entries
• Multiple payment methods, including credit cards, NFC, cash, and pay-in-lane to best cater for each driver
• Pay-by-plate functionality on the pay stations
• Contactless payment configuration in-lane on exit lanes
• Roller shutters in every lane, for extra safety
• Pedestrian Access Reader devices
• Real-time access to parking data about transit, occupancy, and transactions through JMS

Solution

HUB UK has designed for Blackpool Central an integrated free-flow parking solution with ticketless access based on LPR and the back-up option of barcode ticket issuance for its 1,306 spaces and streamlines the management of its operations.

The new Jupiter system offers ticketless access, based on license plate recognition: the number plate is captured by latest gen­eration cameras by Hikvision, whose streaming data feed HUB’s digital management platform JMS in real-time. The sys­tem flexibility allows the back-up option of barcode ticket issuance should the license plate be unreadable. The parking facility features ground floor plus 5 parking decks with external ramps to facilitate swift access and egress during peak periods. This future-ready transport hub includes generous 2.5 x 5m parking bays, electric vehicle charging points, cycle and motorbike safe storage, and pay-on-foot stations that accept all payment methods. The pay stations also feature the advanced “pay-by-plate” functionality that allows drivers to type in their plate, check the LPR camera picture and pay the correct tariff. To avoid queues at pay stations, the driver can pay at exit through 4 cashless devices: JMS instantly feeds the LPR information to the in-lane stations to identify the vehicle and the rate to pay.

JMS integrates data from all parking stations and cameras, overseeing all transits and payment transactions. By collecting and displaying them through a tile-based dashboard, JMS guarantees visibility of real-time status information, complete monitoring, full configuration of tariffs and counters, and comprehensive reporting to Blackpool Central parking staff.

With a specific focus on safety, the car park features roller shutters on both the main entries and all pedestrian access en­trances. When coming back to their cars, pedestrians type in their number plate or scan their ticket at the Access Reader to gain access. When driving through, the roller shutters go up when the registered payment has been identified as completed. Since the barriers outside of the car park could be subject to damage, they are bespoke configured to work backwards: the arm is by default in an upward position and will only come down when a car approaches, just for the time needed to identify the number plate through the ANPR camera and/or complete the payment at exit.

Blackpool Central can now boast of user-friendly, safe, and convenient parking for its community.

Talbot Road Expanded Solution

Following the success of the ground-breaking first installation at Blackpool’s Central car park, continued investment led to HUB being commissioned for a second major project. This time at the well-established multi-store facility on Talbot Road. HUB deliv­ered a modern, intelligent parking solution that enhances both efficiency and user experience. The system features a tidal flow lane configuration: one dedicated entry lane, one dedicated exit lane, and a third lane that operates as a tidal lane, adjusting based on traffic flow and time of day. This setup allows the car park to flexibly accommodate varying volumes of incoming and outgoing vehicles throughout the day, ensuring a smooth and speedy experience for users.

The technology mirrors that of the Blackpool Central site, using a ticketless, license plate recognition (LPR) system for vehicle access. Drivers benefit from convenient “pay-by-plate” functionality at pay stations, where they simply enter their number plate, view the associated LPR image, and pay the appropriate tariff. To further improve flow and reduce queues, two cashless pay-at-exit stations are available. These in-lane terminals are powered by the JMS system, which instantly feeds LPR data to ensure accurate vehicle recognition and quick payment processing.

Security is also a priority. As with Central, the Talbot Road site features roller shutters on all entry and exit points, providing an added layer of protection for users and vehicles. For re-entry after leaving the car park on foot, customers can either enter their vehicle registration or scan the barcode on their ticket at external pedestrian access readers.

Both car parks are fully integrated through the centralized JMS system, allowing seamless remote management and monitor­ing from a single location, enhancing operational efficiency and oversight. Blackpool Central and Talbot Road can now boast of user-friendly, safe, and modern parking for their community.

To support local business and community engagement, J4M validation has also been rolled out. Nearby vendors, including a popular Chinese restaurant and a gym, can now offer discounted parking to their customers. Through an intuitive web platform, merchants can manage validations, apply dynamic discounts, and issue parking vouchers either via print or email. This has not only increased customer loyalty but also boosted footfall, reinforcing the car park’s role as a key local asset.