Plans for new staff car park to be built on city hospital site
PRESSURE could be relieved on University Hospital’s car parks as plans emerge for a staff-only car park to be built on site.
Vinci construction are in the early stages of the car park development, which could see an extra 1,746 spaces created.
The car park will be for staff only to relieve the pressure on the current car parks, supermarkets and residential streets.
If the new car park goes ahead, it will reduce the number of staff and visitors parking on surrounding roads near to the hospital.
University Hospital have confirmed they are supporting the proposed development.
A spokesperson for University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust said: “We are fully supportive of the proposed development by Vinci Construction of a new staff-only car park at the rear of University Hospital.
“Our patients and visitors frequently tell us that while they are happy with their care, there are not enough car parking spaces on our site. Car parking provision is also a major issue for current and prospective staff.
“We have therefore been working closely with Vinci to develop plans that would significantly improve the experience for both our patients and our staff.
“As one of the largest employers in Coventry, this development would allow us to offer secure car parking to our dedicated doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants, who work around the clock to care for our patients. “It would also help the Trust to recruit more world class staff in the future. “While we do acknowledge the concerns of local residents, we expect that increasing car park capacity would significantly reduce the current disruption caused by visitors and staff parking on nearby residential roads.” The car park will be located at the rear of the hospital and access is proposed to be from both Farber Road and from within the hospital estate. This means traffic is expected to increas from Farber Road to nearby junctions of Hinckley Road during the times the shifts change at the hospital.
Vinci have said in a document that they are seekking to consult with local community groups, residents and those affected by the proposed development.
The hospital car park has been criticised numerous times in the past at the price to park there.
Back in June, the Telegraph revealed that the hospital paid more than £670,000 to ISS, the car park operators, in 2016/17.
In the same month, it was announced prices would be increasing in the car park.
Both staff at the hospital and visitors use it, but having the new car park would release some of the pressure, meaning more visitors can park in the current car park.
Our patients and visitors frequently tell us that while they are happy with their care there are not enough car parking spaces. Spokesperson