Calls for action over York Hospital traffic

Traffic on the road leading up to York Hospital's entrance is causing "serious" problems for patients and commuters, councillors have said.

Three Labour councillors have launched a petition, which has been signed by more than 1,000 people, calling on the hospital trust and Labour-run council to take action over congestion on Wigginton Road.

Dave Merrett, one of the councillors who started the petition, said delays were adding to the stress of patients' appointments.

A York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust spokesperson said they were working to explore options to ease traffic. A York Council spokesperson said there were no "quick fix solutions".

One patient reported leaving an extra hour-and-a-half to get to the hospital before their appointments, while another said they found their bus journeys to and from the site were also delayed.

Merrett said: "I had an email from one of my constituents pointing out there was absolutely no information in their hospital appointment letter about the issue of limited car parking at the hospital, alternatives nearby or being able to use local buses to get there.

"Previously the hospital was running a Park and Ride service before Covid, which was building up quite nicely in terms of an alternative means to get people to the hospital."

He said the traffic also had a impact on people living nearby because it caused extra noise and air pollution.

Merrett said he felt "things can be done".

A spokesperson for the hospital trust said the site was located in a "busy city with well-documented congestion, and parking on and around the hospital site is limited".

"We know this can be frustrating for patients, visitors, and staff, particularly at peak times, and we are sorry for the inconvenience," they said.

"We continue to work closely with the City of York Council to explore what is feasible and to progress practical options that will help ease congestion and make it easier everyone to access the hospital."

They said alternatives to travelling by car, such as using public transport, walking and cycling, were promoted.

Travel concessions, such as discounted bus passes, were available for staff, they added, and work was taking place to improve cycle storage and access routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

"We also keep our parking arrangements under review to ensure spaces are used as fairly as possible, including for patients and visitors who need accessible parking," they said.

Garry Taylor, director of city development at York Council, said the authority was working with the hospital on the way the car park operates for staff, patients and visitors.

He said the council was "trialling initiatives with NHS staff to promote alternatives to driving".

"There are no immediate or quick fix solutions to the problems in this area of the city and we are going to be undertaking a whole corridor study working with the hospital and local communities," Taylor said.

"This sits alongside our broader plans for transport which prioritises tackling congestion across York by giving people more options to move around the city and making it easier for everyone to get around."

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