Representatives from Hartpury University and College, Vitruvius and MF Freeman gathered to celebrate the breaking ground of an exciting new carpark development project that will add 353 spaces to the Gloucestershire campus.
The new car park will aid the transformation of traffic management across campus, enabling better control of public vehicles particularly during the many major events held at Hartpury throughout the year.
Located near the main entrance, vehicles will be directed straight to the new parking area eliminating the need to drive up the entire length of the driveway to reduce traffic movement around the estate.
35 of the spaces will have electric vehicle charging points as part of a wider strategy to ensure Hartpury meets its future sustainable objectives. The car park is a key part of the £20m Forest of Dean Levelling Up Fund project that was announced last year. Hartpury teamed up with the Forest of Dean District Council, Cinderford Town Council and Mark Harper MP to successfully secure £20 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Russell Marchant, Vice-Chancellor, Principal and CEO of Hartpury, said: “We’re thrilled to mark the start of construction on this exciting car parking development that will help to reduce site traffic while also providing additional capacity for the large numbers of visitors we have each year.
“Notably, we’ve managed to choose a convenient yet discreet location that respects the integrity of Hartpury’s important historical assets and the stunning views from Hartpury House. The car park is only visible from a limited number of viewpoints and over time these will be reduced as new woodland planting takes shape.”
Mark Price, Managing Director of Vitruvius Management Services – the project lead, said: “We’re pleased to be underway with the works for the new car park at Hartpury University and Hartpury College. The project will provide a future-proof solution, enabling Hartpury to cater for their many large events more efficiently with a location that is near the main campus entrance and complete with electric vehicle charging points.”
Hartpury has a number of ongoing construction projects currently taking shape including the development of a new flexible catering and conference facility that will be ready for the new academic year in September.
Pictured: Graeme Brooks - Hartpury Head of Property Andrew Osbourne Senior Project Manager – Vitruvius Management Services, Russell Marchant - Hartpury Vice-Chancellor, Principal & CEO, Lynn Forrester-Walker- Hartpury Chief Operating Officer, John Perry - Hartpury Project Sponsor Director of Facilities, Lewis Evans - Project Manager at MF Freeman.
