Staff at Vinci Park UK, which has its head office in Reeds Crescent, Watford, is celebrating after beating five European contenders to win the award for Innovative Project for its car park at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee at the European Parking Awards.

This is not the first time that Vinci Park and its car park at Ninewells Hospital, the UK’s first Hospital Mobility Scheme, have achieved industry recognition; in 2008 it won the Judges’ Special Award for Innovation and Best Overall Award at the British Parking Awards.

The car park features a “Hospital Mobility” scheme, provided free-of-charge. To enhance access to the hospital for visitors with mobility issues there is a fleet of 10 mobility scooters and 10 wheelchairs. Emphasising Vinci Park’s commitment to customer service the site has a purpose-built mobility office and a full-time customer service representative.

The site boasts 17 car parks encompassing 2,500 spaces and provides free compassionate parking for the long-term sick and their relatives, funded by charging for disabled users.

Mark Evans, CEO of Vinci Park UK, said: “Innovation in customer service and technology lies at the heart of our operations so it is tremendously satisfying for all at Vinci Park UK to receive this award.

” At Ninewells we have taken the proven concept of shopmobility and applied it to the hospital environment which is a first for a UK parking company.

”Having managed this car park since 2003, we have received consistently positive feedback from users and will continue to look for ways to provide an innovative service for hospital patients and their visitors.”