Hospital parking 'crisis' tackled

A new parking plan has been proposed at the hospital

A plan has been drawn up to tackle a car parking "crisis" at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.

Health officials are to create 100 new spaces outside the hospital.

New regulations will also be introduced including short, medium and long-stay parking spaces which will be enforced through a system of fines.

The move has come after complaints including instances of ambulance bays being blocked and difficulties getting supplies into the hospital.

Hospital staff representative Dougie Lockhart said it was a serious concern.

I very much take the point that some of my colleagues on the board made - that it is a pity we have to spend money laying tarmac John Ross Chairman NHS Dumfries and Galloway

"I would say that the infirmary has now got to a state of crisis with parking as you can see on the Bankend Road and peak times at the infirmary," he said.

"We need the additional 100 spaces and we need properly designated spaces."

Mr Lockhart stressed that staff were opposed to parking charges but he added that a system of fines had their support.

"If you go into Dumfries and park illegally you are fined - I don't see why it should be any different in a situation within Dumfries Infirmary," he said.

Urgent matter

The costs and timescale of introducing new parking provision and regulations have still to be worked out.

However, chairman of the local NHS authority John Ross said the issue would be addressed as a matter of urgency.

"I very much take the point that some of my colleagues on the board made - that it is a pity we have to spend money laying tarmac," he said.

"But the reality is that there are more cars being parked on a daily basis at the infirmary than there is capacity for."