The operator of Bradford’s city centre car park has issued a statement after concerns were raised last week about anti-social behaviour and poor conditions at the site.
The issue came to light after the car park made headlines last week due to its horrendous condition. Reports highlighted litter, nitrous oxide canisters, human waste and a strong smell of urine throughout the Thornton Road car park.
Bradford Council leader Cllr Stephen Place later described the conditions as “simply unacceptable” and confirmed that enforcement action had been taken. At the time the site was visited, the operators were contacted. However, the waste remained for the following two days.
Now, Ocean Parking, which took over management of the car park last month, has responded publicly for the first time. In a statement released on Monday, the company said it was aware of the anti-social behaviour, substance misuse and resulting issues affecting the site.
A spokesperson for Ocean Parking said: “We are aware of the anti-social behaviour, substance misuse and the resulting issues affecting The Southgate multi-storey car park on Thornton Road in Bradford.”
The company said it had extended the car park’s opening hours to 24 hours a day last month to support visitors to nearby venues including Bradford Live, the theatre and local hotels. However, it acknowledged that the change had also led to an increase in misuse of the facility.
Operators said CCTV had been installed across the site, but claimed some individuals were using enclosed stairwells, making it difficult to detect every incident. The operator also said it had contacted police several weeks ago and requested increased patrols in the area.
In response to complaints about cleanliness, the company said a number of professional deep cleans had already taken place, but recurring incidents meant conditions could quickly deteriorate again. To address the issue, Ocean Parking said it is now working with its client to introduce a full-time on-site cleaning and staff presence.
The spokesperson said: “Currently, we’re working closely with our client to introduce a full-time on-site cleaning and site presence in the near future to improve the condition of the facility and provide greater reassurance to customers.”
The company added that it was disappointed that a facility intended to benefit the local community was being misused by a small number of people.
The statement comes days after Cllr Stephen Place said he had written to both the operator and its regulator following complaints about the condition of the car park.
