Park and ride is put on hold to ease problem at hospital
PARKING permits will be allocated to an additional 300 hospital staff in an effort to alleviate problems at the Royal Derby Hospital.
The announcement was made at last night's meeting of Derby City Council by Councillor Matthew Holmes.
The spaces at the Manor car park had been intended for a public park and ride scheme, which was agreed when planning permission was granted for the new Derby City General Hospital.
But Mr Holmes, cabinet member for planning and environment, said he was putting on hold the park and ride plans on the understanding that Derby's NHS Hospitals Trust would free up more parking permits.
In May last year, 420 spaces at the car park were freed up when the council postponed the park and ride, but uncertainty about the scheme's future meant these additional permits were held back by the trust.
Mr Holmes said: "For some time, there has been uncertainty over the medium-to-long-term use of the proposed park and ride facility situation at the Manor car park close to the hospital.
"Following the opening of the hospital, parking issues have arisen and are still ongoing. These have impacted greatly both on local residents and staff alike.
"After taking up my role, it became clear to me that not all the parking spaces have been fully utilised as the trust was concerned that the council might wish to begin use of the park and ride service.
"This represents around 300 potential spaces for members of staff to use.
"Therefore, I wish to announce that it is the council's intention to put on hold the start of the park and ride service with the intention that they be used as parking spaces for members of staff."
He said that would allow the trust to release the extra spaces before Christmas.
The announcement was welcomed by Labour and Liberal Democrats but they urged Mr Holmes to continue to put pressure on the trust to resolve the parking issue and not to scrap the park and ride plans altogether.
Derrick Conway, assistant estates director at the hospital trust, said: "The statement is a positive move forward that, when confirmed and implemented, will allow the trust to utilise more car parking spaces on the Manor car parks.
"This interim agreement will give further time for the implementation of the trust's travel plan initiatives."
The permits will be issued in two batches to staff and Mr Conway said the trust would assess which staff should get priority.
"We are committed to working with Derby City Council and our other partners in finding solutions to the travel issues we face," he said.
7 Comments
by Jim, Derby
Thursday, September 09 2010, 7:25PM
“The council will never, just to reiterate, NEVER give planning permission for a multi storey.
The real common sense in this whole thing is for people to leave their cars at home, get off their fat backsides and catch a bus to work. The staff are behaving like childen crying about parking when it is not the be all and end all of life.
I know people that drive from Mickleover (easy walking distance) and then drive around looking for a space for 20 minutes and end up parking as far from the hospital as they live. EVERYDAY.
Too many selfish people jump in their cars with no consideration for it effect others.”
by Neil, Derby
Thursday, September 09 2010, 4:13PM
“This is sheer rocket science! Wonderful! Someone's decided that it's better for hospital staff to park at the hospital rather than in the city centre and get a bus out to the hospital - and for the shoppers not to park out of town at park-and-ride and get a bus into town!
You couldn't make it up! About time someone showed some common sense. I am afraid to have taken this long to come to this conclusion just shows what a bunch of incompetants are in charge.
Now, I fear the speculation is right that the multi-storey is the last thing that someone will concede to solve the problem permanently. But that IS the solution. I guess we need a petition and a common sense peoples' campaign. And it's going to need an iron will to resist all the fud (fear, uncertainty and doubt) that the Council will inevitably band about and it will need some re-prioritisation of resources. OK, how about a vote for a start: which is more important? The Council office refurbishment or the multi-storey at the hospital?”
by Guffy, Mickleover
Thursday, September 09 2010, 12:41PM
“Ian. The hospital and especially the council have been dispicable in all of this. Lack of planning by the council is the main reason this has happened but they can spend £334 million on the hospital + £115k to rename the road signs but forget about the car parking and the requirements. I aint paying a penny towards ROP when they can put down parking restrictions.”
by Ian, Long Eaton
Thursday, September 09 2010, 12:22PM
“The problem is - who pays? The hospital did everything they were asked to do (presumably) as part of their planning conditions so why should they part with any more money now. The council won't be able to find the funding especially for such an overtly car-oriented project. A multi storey must run into millions of pounds if a single road bridge costs 1 million. It might be a good idea (?) but it's not going to happen.”
by Guffy, Mickleover
Thursday, September 09 2010, 9:43AM
“Charles. I'm not against ROP but against having to pay to move an issue to other residents. This council + hospital needs to grow a pair and sort this issue out once and for all. Everyday I see 400+ cars parked on our streets causing distress to residents. Taxpayer cracking idea and this idea has been presented to the council + hospital and they just laughted. The idea is to let the issue continue until residents are FORCED into ROP and the council make money from it. They should build a multi-storey car park...that's the only solution.”
by Charles, Mickleover
Thursday, September 09 2010, 9:07AM
“Now they just need to encourage staff to actually use them. Many will still prefer to park in surrounding streets for free rather than pay to park at the hospital. I have seen cars with permits displayed parked on streets anyway.
The residents only parking scheme is the only fool-roof way forward. Then staff will have to use the proper car parks.”
by Taxpayer, Mickleover
Thursday, September 09 2010, 9:03AM
“Good idea but still only temporary.
Build a multi storey car park on the roundabout with a bridge over to the hospital site - it works for Westfield and the Cockpit
Also investigate the land that is for sale between the two slip roads to and from the A38. A multi storey car park here could have access in and out from the two slip roads on and off the island. Again bridges across the island could lead directly into the hospital site.
We need a permanent long term solution.”