Anger at increase in hospital parking cost
TEESSIDERS have reacted to news that it will cost more to park at a Teesside hospital.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has announced an increase in parking charges at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, and the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton.
From July 1, charges will rise by 20p or 30p – the first price hike in more than three years – with the trust citing maintenance costs, energy bills and the price of paying off its private finance initiative (PFI) which has risen by an extra £3.5m.
Gazette readers have shared their views of the new charges.
One reader said: “That’s why people park all over the kerbs, because of how ridiculous the prices are.”
Another added: “Staff are having prices hiked up too, not just patients.”
Another reader branded parking at the hospital “atrocious” adding “never any disabled spaces, and if you are disabled and have to be pushed in a wheelchair along the paths you can’t as the cars are parked on pavements!
“I’m surprised anyone ever gets to an appointment as unless you are there first thing on a morning it is Russian roulette if you can get a space anywhere!”
Another person angered by the rise said: “Car parks require maintenance, that has to be paid either from the taxes we all (including non-car users) pay (by reducing patient services or extra government funding) or by charging those of us who use the car parks.
“Of the three the latter seems fairest to me.”
Another said: “Give the rise to the nurses, as for maintaining the car parks you are making them smaller.”
A spokesperson from the South Tees NHS Foundation Trust said money raised from parking charges is used to maintain and improve parking facilities, such as the recent introduction of electric vehicle charging points – there are now four charging points for patients and visitors in the V3 car park at James Cook.
At James Cook, the prices to stay up to 24 hours at the hospital has risen to £7.30 (up 30p) and £4.20 at Friarage (up 20p).
The hospitals continue to offer free parking for those in greatest need, including blue badge holders, frequent outpatient attenders and parents of sick children staying overnight. Director of estates, facilities and capital planning Philip Sturdy said: “We understand that any increase in cost can be a burden, and our parking team have done their best to hold down the increase to ensure parking charges remain as low as possible.
“This small increase is the first in over three years and is necessary to help meet the rising cost of maintaining our car parks and ensuring that patients and visitors can park safely and securely.”