NHS trust in £3.8m car park deal

A health trust which is more than £11m in debt has agreed a seven-year lease on a hospital car park for nearly £4m.

West Suffolk Hospital Trust has chosen Vinci Park to manage car parking at the Bury St Edmunds site from 18 April.

Trust director of facilities, Steve Moore, said the company would provide improved parking for visitors, staff and patients.

Mr Moore pledged that a cap would be placed on future parking charges under the seven-year licensing agreement.

Vinci Park plans to provide battery jumpstarts, courtesy umbrellas and assistance with flat tyres.

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust currently has a £11.7m deficit, although the income from leasing the car park will not come off that total.

The £3.8m has been earmarked for ongoing patient care.