Hospital's car park crisis eased

Staff will find it easier to park at the hospital

Derby Council has shelved a park and ride scheme planned for the Royal Derby Hospital's staff car park.

The scheme at the Manor staff car park has been deferred for a year while the council and NHS Trust develop a long-term solution to parking issues.

Due to the decision, an extra 420 parking permits will now be released for hospital staff.

Councillor Lucy Care said: "The council will be working with the trust on its travel planning over the next year."

She added: "The council recently granted planning approval for nearly 800 car parking spaces at the Manor car park.

Bigger demand

"Once implemented, these spaces will be for hospital staff and should reduce the amount of parking on nearby streets making life easier for everyone in the area."

The number of staff working at Derby's hospitals has increased by 14.5% in the five years since planning permission for the original Manor staff car park, opposite the Royal Derby site, was granted.

This increase means there has been a bigger demand for staff parking permits.

Over the next 12 months Derby City Council and the Derby City Hospitals NHS Trust will work to find a long-term solution to the parking issues and to develop and implement a new Travel Plan

The aim is to reduce the trust's carbon footprint in line with the national NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy by encouraging the use of a range of transport methods while still providing adequate car parking for the hospital.