Casualties on both sides of hospital parking war
PARKING wars have reached crisis point around Stepping Hill Hospital with some residents even moving house to escape the problem.
Dog dirt has been smeared on cars, vehicles have been egged and abusive notes have been posted through letter boxes and on vehicles parked on the residential streets surrounding the hospital.
Some residents have even sold their homes because of the tensions, according to a community spokesman.
Workers have been leaving their cars on streets close to the hospital, rather than pay on-site charges, for around three years.
But their actions have led to friction with neighbours, with reports of stand-up rows, abusive language, offensive mail and even dog dirt being smeared on cars.
Problems are being caused for 950 households according to a survey carried out by the Stepping Hill Neighbourhood Parking Action Group (SNAG).
The group of more than 200 residents say hospital staff block roads, pavements and driveways and are calling for more cheap parking to be provided by Stepping Hill. Members have toured the area taking photographs to prove their point.
SNAG committee member Andy Hopwood, 55, said: “It is becoming impossible for householders to park due to staff turning the area into a massive car park.
“Things are getting worse, it is chaos. Stepping Hill is riding roughshod over the area and there is a lot of friction going on between staff and residents.
“It is heated on both sides. There are messages left, rows in the street, dog dirt being smeared on handles and cars being egged.
“I know of at least four instances where residents have sold their house because they can’t take it any more.”
Hospital parking charges went up in 2016, leading to an increase in off-site parking.
Among the roads worst affected were Claremont Road, Norwood Road, Hurdsfield Road, Dialstone Lane and Boothby Street, in Hazel Grove.
Although the charges have been lowered, SNAG members say staff are now used to the free parking option and have not returned to the site.
Group members plan to ask Stockport council for residents’ parking schemes but say the solution should be a multi-storey car park at Stepping Hill.
Back in 2016 hospital bosses promised to build a car park within three years, but NHS cuts appear to have knocked the plans off the agenda.
A meeting was held in September last year to try and solve the problem but residents say it has since got worse.
A hospital spokesman said: “Being a good neighbour to residents is important to us.
“We make it very clear to our staff that if they park in nearby streets it is essential that they park both legally and courteously, not blocking any driveways or pavements.
“If we have evidence that this has not happened, then we take action with any identified staff.”
They added that staff and visitors are encouraged to travel by public transport, bicycle or foot and car parking charges have been reduced to encourage parking on the hospital site.
“We face serious financial challenges as an organisation, building a multi-storey car park on our site in the foreseeable future is therefore not currently an option,” they added.