Trust says sorry over hospital parking pressures
LDRSAn NHS trust has apologised to visitors for parking problems at a busy regional hospital.
Locals said patients had missed vital appointments at University Hospital North Durham (UHND) due to a shortage of available parking spaces.
Cars were often left at the roadside and blocked access in residential streets, the City of Durham Parish Council said, with visitors describing the issues as "chaotic and deeply distressing".
County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust apologised for the problems and said it had recently added 70 more parking spaces.
Parish councillor Grenville Holland said locals had raised concerns when about 100 hospital parking spaces were removed from the Melbury Court car park to make way for new student accommodation.
He said: "This has caused real anxiety and frustration at what is already a difficult time for people."
The parish council has asked the trust to actively promote the use of Durham's Sniperley Park and Ride service, which operates until 19:00 and is just one stop away from the hospital.
It hopes clear signage and better communication will provide better access for patients and visitors.
'Stress and inconvenience'
Holland added: "This situation needs urgent attention, and we are asking the trust, the county council and other public bodies to work with us to make access to healthcare easier, not harder, for the people of Durham."
Plans for an additional 222 parking spaces were approved in 2023, but parish councillors say work is yet to begin.
The trust spokesperson said: "We fully acknowledge the parking pressures and would like to apologise for the stress and inconvenience this causes to people attending for appointments or visiting loved ones."
They added the trust was committed to improving the situation and was willing to work with the parish council and other partners to prevent further problems, adding the trust had contacted Durham County Council about securing more staff parking at County Hall, which would free up additional public parking.
