www.hillcannon.com

THE PRACTICE was formed in 1967 as a partnership between James Hill and

John Cannon. The current Directors are Glynn Rhodes and Stephen Vollar.

Since its formation the Company has carried out more than 10,000 private,

commercial, industrial and public commissions using most structural materials

including reinforced concrete, structural steelwork, masonry and timber.

Members of the practice also have experience in highway design and

construction.

Being independent Consulting Engineers, we can advise impartially on the

form of construction and choice of materials best suited for any particular

structure.

The design of structured car parks is an engineering discipline in which the

Company is particularly experienced. More than 100 such buildings have been

designed and constructed using our designs, conceived in 1971 and developed

continuously by the Practice. Over 1,000 other commissions involving

inspections, appraisals, remedial works, feasibility studies and advice on all

aspects of car parking. A specialist group has been established to provide

Parking Consultancy, offering advice on all aspects of parking and parking

structures.

Many commissions have been carried out involving major alteration works

associated with the refurbishment of buildings, both ancient and modern.

Having worked on many successful ‘Design and Construct’ contracts, the

Company is well experienced in producing designs where sound and well

considered engineering principles result in economical and durable structures.

The Company is experienced in assessing structural problems and the Directors

have acted as expert witnesses in disputes related to the construction industry,

acted as Party Wall surveyors and Planning Supervisors under the Construction

(Design and Management) Regulations 1994 as amended 2001.

The Company is not restricted geographically. Design commissions have been

carried out economically for buildings sited throughout the United Kingdom

from the south coast of England to the north of Scotland. Designs for work

overseas are regularly undertaken.

Several papers have been published in technical journals, and members of the

Practice regularly speak at seminars throughout the UK.

INTRODUCTION

Our approach to car parking is to design for economical construction without

sacrificing quality.

The design of a good car park is an engineering discipline that requires specialist

knowledge of all aspects of car park design, management and operations. The

key elements of good design are:

� Well laid out parking bays, aisles and ramps to ensure ease of circulation

for both vehicles and pedestrians.

Clarence Dock, Leeds

for both vehicles and pedestrians.

� A user-friendly environment – i.e. good ventilation, lighting and open

areas to ensure good natural surveillance.

� Economy in design by achieving good gross floor area per space ratios.

� Adequate access and egress control to ensure good dynamic traffic flow

characteristics.

� Structures which are easy to build and economical whilst providing

long-term durability.

One of the most important factors in achieving an economical car parking

structure is achieving a low gross floor area per space ratio. In terms of cost, a

car park designed at 36m² per space will cost some 50% more than a car park

designed at *24m² per space. We have a well-earned reputation for achieving

such low ratios without compromising the user friendliness or dynamic flow

capacity of a car park.

From our initial approach as structural engineers with a desire to introduce

economic ‘fit for purpose’ structural frames with minimum intrusion into the car

park, we have developed over the years a holistic approach to parking structures

Hope Hospital Car Park, Manchester

and design full layouts, wayfinding and signage, control and security measures

and our in-house architectural team can complete the design or prepare

construction detailing for clients concept designs. We are thus able to offer

either a tailored approach as part of a design team, or act as a sole consultant.

Combining this philosophy with our tried and tested economical structural

frame systems ensures that optimum value for money is achieved. This is why

so many contractors seek our services when tendering for such projects.

* Based on standard UK bay sizes

MORE ABOUT HILL CANNON

For more than 40 years we have been involved in the design, repair, improvement and

alteration of structured and surface car parks. As consultants we have also provided a

peer review of others’ designs and with our transport planning and traffic engineering

capabilities we are able to deal with the “big picture”, not just the design of the

structure.

We have carried out more than 1,000 design commissions and over 100 car parks

have been constructed to our designs. Many of these car parks utilise our in-house

structural frame systems of construction. We have designed structures ranging from

a 40 place facility in Harrogate, to nearly 4,000 spaces in Metro Manila. The largest

UK car park constructed to our design is a 3,500 space facility for Birmingham Airport.

Our clients include major car park operators, airports, hospitals, governments,

municipalities, shopping centres and other private developers both in the UK and

overseas.

Merry Hill, Dudley

Directors have served in an advisory capacity on several learned committees and

regularly contribute papers and articles to journals and seminars.

We are actively involved in setting the standards for car park design in the UK and

Europe. Some examples of such involvement are listed below:-

Co-authors of the Car Park Designers Handbook, a comprehensive guide to the design

aspects of modern parking structures.

Representation on the Task Group for the review of the third edition of the Institution

of Structural Engineers’ publication – Design recommendations for multi-storey and

underground car parks,

Representation on the editorial advisory board for Parking News, a publication of the

British Parking Association,

Our work extends beyond car park design to acting as

advisors on all aspects of the design process.

As consultants we have:

• Prepared financial appraisals for car parks

• Prepared design and performance briefs for car

parks

• Appraised designs submitted for Design and Build

tenders

• Acted as assessors in competitions

• Acted as expert witnesses in disputes

Jubilee Car Park, Harrogate

• Reviewed the latest operational technology

for robotic car parks

DUBAI – AL MAKTOUM HOSPITAL ROAD

OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE

Hill Cannon operates worldwide as a specialist parking consultancy and in what

follows we list a few of our recent international projects.

Dubai

We provided advice on the design of multi storey and surface car parks at three

sites in Dubai for a UK client. Three studies were undertaken with the

Al Maktoum Hospital Road constructed to our design.

Naples, ItalyNaples, Italy

We were retained by a local developer to provide advice on design issues,

operation and management of a 1,000 space multi storey car park which is part

of the Via Cinthia Shopping Centre in central Naples. The structure had been

part built by another developer before being purchased by our client. We

advised on repairs to the part-built structure and how best to complete the

project, within the constraints set by the site. This included extensive redesign

of the internal circulation and interconnections with the local highway system.

Beirut, Lebanon

As part of the Beirut Urban Transport Project we have undertaken the

preliminary design and costings for the following underground car parks:

• Saneyah Garden Site - 800 spaces

• Mazzra Garden - 450 spaces

• St Nicholas Garden - 100 spaces

• Hassan Khalet Garden - 250 spaces

In a separate project we reviewed the design proposals for a 3,000 space

underground car park, which forms part of the Agora Project, a multi use

development in outer Beirut.

Cayman Islands

We were requested to undertake a study of the financial feasibility of constructing

private funded parking facilities in the islands. This study explored the feasibility of

two sites.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

We were retained by KLCC the developers of the Petronas Towers, the tallest

buildings in the world, to provide advice on the towers’ 5,000 space underground

car park. We found that the planned circulation was very poor and contained many

points of traffic conflict, safety hazards and access problems. Our experts

developed proposals for new circulation patterns, which minimised these

problems.

Manila, Philippines

MACEA the local landowners association retained our services to carry out a

feasibility study for a 3,750 space parking facility below an area of parkland in

Legazpi Street in Makati City in Metro Manila.

Lisbon, Portugal

ENSUL, a major civil engineering contractor, requested that we form an alliance to

pursue parking opportunities throughout Portugal and to date we have pursued a

number of joint venture opportunities.

Benghazi, Libya

Provided a design study for a 600 space multi-storey car park for staff and visitors

to an office complex and then prepared a design for structure and architecture up

to tender stage.

Kuwait

Were appointed as specialist sub-consultant for a major new 4,500 space parking

structure in Kuwait City.

Kazan, Tatarstan

Undertook a design study on ten sites for potential parking structures as part of an

urban renewal project.

UK EXPERIENCE AS PARKING CONSULTANTS

We have many projects in the UK where we have acted as consultants, helping a

client or project team to evaluate the situation and develop an appropriate solution.

In what follows we list some recent examples of this work.

Hospitals

We have acted as advisors on many hospital projects where our work has involved

us in understanding the hospital’s parking needs and developing appropriate

solutions. Examples of this work includes:

Advising the Project Management team for the Royal University Hospital, Liverpool

on the layout of a new 1,000 space car park and the location of new staff

accommodation.

We examined the existing parking provision for Harrogate District Hospital, carrying

Basildon Hospital Car Park

We examined the existing parking provision for Harrogate District Hospital, carrying

out a survey of users’ needs. Based on the survey results we then redesigned the

surface level car parking to meet the identified needs.

Appraisal of the parking requirements for Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge

leading to proposals for a new 1,500 space car park.

Formulation of car parking proposals for the Medway Hospital in Kent to support the

planned £45m expansion of services on the site.

Development of a parking operations strategy for Leeds Nuffield Hospital.

Parking study for York District Hospital.

Parking study and design of new parking facility for Harrogate District Hospital.

Designers for new multi-storey car park schemes at Manchester Royal Infirmary and

Hope Hospitals and Basildon.

Construction management for a new raised deck car park at Broadgreen Hospital,

Liverpool.

Town / City Centres

We have worked extensively for local authorities and developers in providing design

consulting services for public car parks. Examples of our projects include:

Initial design study and construction engineering on the 850 space Victoria Car Park

and 450 space Jubilee Car Park for Harrogate Borough Council. The Jubilee car park

was named ‘Best New Car Park’ at the 2003 British Parking Awards.

Detailed design of the new Merry Hill Car Park, Dudley, a 1,600 space facility

attached to a retail development. This was awarded the ‘Best New Car Park at the

2004 British Parking Awards.

Initial design study and construction engineering for an 800 space car park at

Manchester Interchange

Initial design study and construction engineering for an 800 space car park at

Clough Lane for Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Council due to open December 2005.

Design development and construction engineering for a 1,100 space St Andrews

Car Park for Norwich City Council.

City Centre car parks in Leeds at Criterion Place and Kirkgate. In Manchester, the

Grand and Great Northern Warehouse and in Birmingham, Brindley Place, Five

Ways and Ladywell. In Bradford, the Vicar Lane and Southgate Car Parks.

Feasibility studies for Colchester, Chichester, Dover, Middlesbrough, Newbury,

Telford & Wrekin and Harrogate Councils.

Feasibility study for an underground car park in Leeds city centre for Leeds City

Council.

Railways & Airports

We have worked extensively for transport operators including airports and railway

operators. Our work includes:

Conceptual design and construction for an 800 space car park at Sheffield Station for

Midland Mainline.

Design development and Phase 1 construction engineering of Car Park 3 at

Birmingham International Airport, expanded to 3,500.

Design and construction engineering for car parks at Terminals 1 and 2 at Manchester

Birmingham International Airport

Luton Rail Station

Design and construction engineering for car parks at Terminals 1 and 2 at Manchester

Airport.

A network-wide study for South West Trains where we reviewed how they operate

and manage their 16,000 car parking spaces. The study has also developed design

proposals for providing an additional 8,000 spaces at 48 of their stations.

Design study and engineering for a single deck car park at Shipley Station.

We undertook a feasibility study for an 800 space car park at Glasgow Airport for BAA

Scotland.

We were part of a team that carried out a design study for three new parking

structures at Stansted Airport.

We have undertaken a review of existing parking and proposals for development of

102 rail station sites for First Group.

Completed car parks at Luton, Birmingham International, Rugby and High Wycombe

stations.

Principal designers for the Gatwick No.6 car park for 1,250 spaces completed in April

2011.

CAR PARK PROJECTS

Over 100 multi storey car parks ranging in size from just 40 to 3,500 spaces

have been constructed to our design. Many of these car parks have been built

using our unique structural frame systems and the patented VCM copyright

internal circulation system.

Our flexible design approach of the layout enables the construction to proceed

in a variety of structural forms without need for major design or changes to

planned form. We have had our designs built in reinforced concrete either,

insitu, precast or post tensioned. We have developed steel framed solutions

with cellular beams using composite construction and pre-finished, precast

decks.

Some examples of our car parking projects:-

Eastside Car Park,

Birmingham

St James Car Park, Kings Lynn

Birmingham

Vicar Lane, Bradford

Criterion Place, Leeds

Princes Dock, Liverpool

The Astra Zeneca Car Park

Macclesfield

‘The Hedge’, Walsall

Jubilee Multi Storey Car Park

Harrogate

Sheffield Station

Multi Storey Car Park

Staff Car Park for

Amersham Plc

St Peter’s, Leamington Spa 406 spaces

Manchester Airport, Terminal A 800 spaces

Northbrook, Newbury 352 spaces

Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne 284 spaces

Candleriggs, Glasgow Retail and 490 spaces

Abington Square, Northampton 500 spaces

Birmingham Airport, Phase II 1,200 spaces

Rowntree Wharf, York 93 spaces

Leigh Mills, Coventry 650 spaces

Garden Place, York 357 spaces

Waterglade Centre, Havant 403 spaces

Parkway, Bury St Edmunds 609 spaces

Pelican Lane, Newbury 406 space

East Parade, Harrogate 700 spacesEast Parade, Harrogate 700 spaces

Manchester Airport Terminal 2 1,500 spaces

Beehive Lane, Loughborough 606 spaces

Victoria Centre, Nottingham 1,100 spaces

Office Parking, Ware 710 spaces

Brindley Place, Birmingham Commercial, retail and 950 spaces

White Hart, Harrogate 40 spaces

Criterion Place, Leeds 411 spaces

Kirkgate Market, Leeds Retail and 670 spaces

The Oracle, Reading Retail and 1,750 spaces

Sydenham Street, Guildford Retail, roof restaurant and 370 spaces

Luton Parkway Station 390 spaces

Shipley Station 40 spaces

Leethams Mill, York 93 spaces

Victoria Centre, Harrogate 850 spaces

The Grand, Manchester 700 spaces

Fiveways multiplex cinema, Birmingham 480 spaces

Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port 1,000 spaces

Gatwick Airport 800 spaces

Livingston Designer Outlet Village, Edinburgh Retail and 1,600 spaces

Fiveways Phase II, Birmingham Leisure facility and 250 spaces

Milton Keynes, E1.1 (schematic) 700 spaces

Ocean Terminal, Leith Multi-use development and 1,450

spaces

Scunthorpe (schematic) 550 spaces

Manchester Interchange 800 spaces

Lemon Quay, Truro 400 spaces linked to retail

Vicar Lane, Bradford Multi-use development and 1,000

spaces

Bridgend Designer Outlet Centre 700 spaces

Lower Precinct, Coventry Services and 340 spaces

Liberty Centre, Romford 800 spaces

Ladywell, Birmingham 280 spaces

Astra Zeneca, Macclesfield 1,100 spaces for staff

Clarence Dock, Leeds 1650 spaces for mixed use development

Birmingham International Airport 3 Ph 1 1,750 spaces

Gatwick Airport Extension 663 spaces

Sundials, Amersham 544 spaces for staff

John Lennon Airport, Liverpool

Car Park and Hotel 869 spaces

Hope Hospital, Manchester 1,133 spaces

Menai Centre, Bangor 410 spaces

Walton Street, Aylesbury 700 spaces

Birmingham International Station 1,360 spaces

Media City, Salford 2,100 spaces

Rugby Station 450 spaces

Westgate Station, Wakefield 1,450 spaces

High Wycombe Station 380 spaces

Luton Station 750 spaces

London Gatwick Airport No.6 1,250 spaces

Under Construction - 2010/2011

Eastside, Birmingham 980 spacesEastside, Birmingham 980 spaces

Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre 1,750 spaces

Nottingham Hub 950 spaces

Southwater, Telford 600 spaces

Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre, Glasgow

The VCM (Vertical Circulation Module) layout system is a superior design for

multi storey car parks in town centres where, because of high land costs, the

traditional split level layout with internal ramps has predominated since the

early 1960’s. VCM maintains the economy in the use of internal ramps but

eliminates the problems of cross deck movement for pedestrians created by the

split level condition. It also reduces the temptation for pedestrians to use the

vehicle ramps for access so often seen in split level type car parks. The result is

a user-friendly environment approaching that of a good flat deck or surface

level car park.

Even with ‘out of town’ larger car parks where flat decks with external ramps

may be considered, VCM offers considerable cost savings whilst maintaining all

the advantages associated with flat deck design.

VCM car parks can be constructed in any structural material, be it either steel

or concrete, in prefabricated, insitu or precast.

THE ‘VCM’ (VERTICAL CIRCULATION MODULE) SYSTEM

TRADITIONAL SPLIT LEVEL LAYOUT

Standard module

The dimension developed from eight 2.4m wide stalls enables an 18.8m diameter

turning circle to be generated between faces of the structure. The accessway

linking adjacent decks is level on its outer edge and slopes at 1 in 20 on its three

inner sides. All other surfaces remain plane. In the middle of the accessway, the

slope is 1 in 40 and is of little consequence to motorists and pedestrians alike.

Standard Modules enable the largest area of flat deck to be generated in any given

circulation layout.

STANDARD MODULE

Layout types

The System is unique in that the parking layout can be considered, initially,

as a flat plate. Modules are then positioned to best suit vehicle and

pedestrian access locations and traffic circulation requirements. A range of

layout variations can be achieved, especially for car parks with large floor

areas.

Type 1 layout – one way flow

Two modules, to opposite hand, and joined along their ramp sides, produce

the minimum dimensions for a parking layout with separated traffic flows.

When incorporated within a longer layout the Modules are located towards

one end, producing a rapid outflow route and an extended inflow route.

Pedestrians can reach all parts of each parking floor and progress around

the building perimeter, without encountering any slope greater than 1 in

20.

VCM SYSTEM TYPE 1 LAYOUT

The System represents a significant advance in user friendliness for town centre

type multi storey parking, whether it is above or below ground level. Some of the

features are listed below:

(a) Pedestrians have flat access to all parts of the parking decks; a desirable

feature especially in facilities where shopping or luggage trolleys, or

pushchairs, will be used.

(b) The elimination of the need for special pedestrian ramps enables more cars to

be parked.

(c) The sloping portions of the parking deck are plain surfaces and do not affect

construction costs, but the omission of split levels, their attendant safety

barriers and special pedestrian ramps, reduce costs significantly.

(d) Flat decks improve the quality of supervision and security and are easier to

maintain and keep clean than split level layouts.

(e) When combined with a clear span structure, a VCM layout is as popular as a

good surface car park, but without the attendant problems of rain, mist, ice

VCM FEATURES

good surface car park, but without the attendant problems of rain, mist, ice

and snow.

The VCM layout system has been granted a UK patent number GB2 269 610B

It is the policy of Hill Cannon to protect against unauthorised users of the VCM

system. For this reason it is necessary to register each car park incorporating the

system.

Glynn Rhodes, Director

BSc (Hons), CEng, MICE, MCIHT, FConsE

Steve Vollar, Director

BSc, CEng, MICE, FIStructE, FConsE

Stuart Wray, Principal

IEng, AMIStructE

Kurt Robbins, Associate

BSc (Hons) CEng MIStructE

Contact Details:

Hill Cannon (UK) LtdClarendon HouseVictoria AvenueHarrogateHG1 1JD

Registered in England: 6850487

Tel: (01423) 535 650 Fax: (01423) 530 018

harrogate@hillcannon.com www.hillcannon.com

The Car Park Designers’ Handbook

written by Jim Hill and Hill Cannon (UK) Limited

to provide advice and guidance on the functional,

economic and efficient planning of car park structures.

Published by Thomas Telford Limited

ISBN: 0727734385

www.hillcannon.com