Mixed reception to free hospital parking

Apr 2 2008 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail

FREE parking came into force at 120 of Wales’ hospitals yesterday, causing chaos and confusion across the country.

There were instances of people standing guard over rare empty spaces at some of the largest hospitals.

And at others, which have yet to scrap charges because they are tied to long-term private contracts, there was anger that people are still being forced to pay up to £2.20 to park.

But, as a result of staff holidays, some hospitals reported relatively few problems.

On the first day of its introduction, reaction to the flagship Welsh Assembly Government policy was mixed, with roughly half hospital staff and visitors saying they would rather continue paying, if it guaranteed a space.

Anne Beames, a sister at Llandough Hospital’s gynaecology department, said, “I was much happier paying. A lot of people used to park on the roads around the hospital, but now it is free they are all coming in here and it is difficult to find a space.

“I preferred paying £5.80 per month and being assured of a place.”

At the University Hospital of Wales, where parking charges remain, Gerald Carey, 52, from Ely said, “I’ve spent £2.20 for 30 minutes. All I’ve done is brought my wife in for her physiotherapy.

“If they can make parking free at other hospitals, why not here?”

By 2.30pm yesterday the car park at Swansea’s Singleton Hospital was full forcing visitors and patients with appointments to circle bays several times as they waited for others to leave.

One woman guarded a double yellow line with her arms in the air until a companion arrived at the spot and parked.

Black plastic bags placed over pay machines flapped in the wind and a pay centre cabin at the vast hospital’s car park lay empty.

Anne Jones, 49, of Neath, who accompanied a friend needing a check-up, said, “It’s always busy here but I noticed people are parking on verges on double yellows which they didn’t do before.

“I didn’t really mind paying because I have only visited occasionally but it could well be that people will park here all day and go to the university or the parks around here now it’s free.”

A spokesman for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust which runs the hospital said, “Things were fine this morning. Of course, it’s half-term and students and some staff are off at the moment so it was maybe a little quieter.

“We’ve got the parking attendants on site who were giving advice to people entering the car park that free parking is now in force.

“Feedback from visitors was mixed. I would say 50% of people were really pleased with not being charged while others were saying they would pay if guaranteed a space.

“We have still got designated areas for staff and visitors so it’s business as usual – apart from the charges.

“We’ll be working with patient and staff groups over the next few weeks before we submit our formal longer-term plans to the Welsh Assembly Government.”

Elsewhere in Wales, the advent of free parking was trouble free, even in those hospitals which are still charging. North East Wales NHS Trust, which has a private contract in place and will discuss the reduction of fees today, said there had been “no issues”.

A spokesman for Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust, which introduced free parking yesterday, said, “There have been no major issues about car parking in our hospitals, but the test of time will come in the weeks ahead as we get busier following the Easter holidays.”

In car parks of the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, parking machines were turned off and black plastic bags placed over them.