Concerns over parking congestion push back nursing school's move
PLANS to relocate Derby's school of nursing have been delayed until next year because of concerns about parking.
Originally it was planned that a new home for the school, which is currently at the London Road Community Hospital, would be built at Royal Derby Hospital in time for it to open in September.
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Royal Derby Hospital
But those plans have been pushed back because city council planners need more information about the impact of traffic on the local area before deciding whether or not to approve the application.
A number of residents living near the hospital have objected to the plans, which show that there would be room for 40 bikes to be parked but no dedicated space for cars. This prompted concerns that students would park on nearby streets which have been congested with staff cars since May, when most services were transferred from London Road Community Hospital.
Initially, it was believed to be due to a shortage of parking permits at the hospital but residents say that, despite hundreds of extra permits being issued, the situation has not improved. Among those who lodged a complaint about the plans was Ellen Goodman, 43, of Muirfield Drive, close to the hospital.
She said: "I'm pleased they're not just going to go ahead with it because it will impact on parking.
"Now it depends on what they're going to do and whether or not they're going to look at it properly and do something sensible to sort it out."
A spokesman for Derby City Council said: "We are awaiting the review of a transport assessment, which arrived this week, to determine the impact the building will have on the surrounding highway, including access and parking matters."
The council hopes to decide whether or not to give the application the go-ahead at a planning control meeting on either February 25 or March 18.
A transport statement submitted with the planning application to Derby City Council says that, at present, although the majority of student nurses are not based at the hospital, they visit it regularly to work and study there.
A spokesman for the University of Nottingham, which is behind the project, said: "We hope that work will be able to start in the near future, allowing the school to open in early 2011."
The new £4.5m building would be used by up to 420 student nurses on a part-time basis and up to 52 staff.
4 Comments
by Guffy, Mickleover
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 2:31PM
“Paul. Think you have hit the nail on the head...Lucy Care constantly pushes the green policy and it does not work. Hence 100s of cars parked in residential streets. She, DCC + DRH have let the residents + staff down big style. It's one of the biggest planning co*ckups ever. Feel for both the residents + staff as I don't believe it will ever be resolved with Lucy Careless in charge.”
by Cllr Paul Bayliss, Alvaston, Derby
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 2:20PM
“This sort of issue again brings into focus and scrutiny, Cllr Lucy Care's lukewarm response and singular lack of action on the proposal I made at the last full council meeting for some form of 'ring road' bus service to the Royal Hospital. It was passed by all the councillors. It beggars belief that Lucy is not taking action to sort the problem out in her ward. If she cannot represent the residents of Littleover effectively on this issue, the voters of Derby North better beware, and yes I did know that Littleover is now in Derby North.”
by burtonftw, derby
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 1:19PM
“"The new £4.5m building would be used by up to 420 student nurses on a part-time basis and up to 52 staff...
there would be room for 40 bikes to be parked but no dedicated space for cars."
Now, I'm going to be fair and assume that there are already some parking spaces, maybe enough for the staff. However, 450 students where they supply just 10% with bike lockage is an absolute farce (okay there wouldn't be maybe more than 100 students there at any one time, though this information should be readily available from timetabling, maybe 40 is enough but I highly doubt it.)
Is the carbon footprint issue serious or not - in my opinion, as has always been, no. It is just a legal slavery additional racket. If it's such a big deal then ban ALL cars from the inner ring road onwards (bar residents for access, emergency vehicles and buses, but NOT taxi's - plus any other commen sense purpose vehicle).
No increased emissions, no corrupt EU fines. What's that? Emissions still huge, I wonder why?”
by Guffy, Mickleover
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 11:58AM
“How can they even consider this move when we have huge car parking issues at the moment. Surrounding areas near the hospital are infested with staff cars. Hospital reduce the car parking charges and supply more affordable car parking spaces for their staff. Derby City Council get a backbone and sort this out with the hospital. This has been going on since May and the situation has got worse not better. Ridiculous.”