Council talks on hospital parking

Councillors have received complaints on the Ninewells charges

The leader of Dundee City Council is spearheading a delegation to meet NHS Tayside managers over parking charges at Ninewells Hospital.

Jill Shimi said several concerns had been raised following the decision to charge up to £15 for vehicle parking.

She said constituents were worried about the move to charge visitors to A&E as well as disabled people.

However NHS Tayside said action had to be taken to stop drivers abusing Ninewells parking spaces.

Ms Shimi, along with west end councillors Fraser Macpherson and Neil Powrie, are now organising a meeting with the health authority.

'Pricing concerns'

NHS Tayside has decided to impose a £1.50 four-hour parking time limit at Ninewells although no genuine patient, visitor or disabled person will ever have to pay more than that amount.

Non-hospital visitors found parking their cars for longer than seven hours can be hit with a £15 charge.

"There are a number of concerns that have been raised, I am keen that we meet to discuss the issues," said Ms Shimi.

Mr Macpherson added: "Constituents are not only concerned by the proposals to start charging visitors to A&E and the disabled, but are also concerned that the new pricing policy will force more cars onto the streets in the surrounding residential areas."