Anger at second hospital's parking fees bid; Plan to make it safer and easier.

Byline: By STEVE BAGNALL

A SECOND North Wales hospital is planning to bring in car parking charges.

From Monday October 10 patients, visitors and staff must pay to use Wrexham Maelor Hospital's congested car parks.

North East Wales NHS Trust bosses know it will be unpopular but insist it is not for profit and will make motorists' life safer and easier.

But Unision North Wales regional organiser Elaine Boniface said the hospital's 2,500plus workers are furious at the plans.

"We are currently balloting what their views on the proposals are. But people we have talked to are not happy at all," she said. "They may want to take some sort of action, they may not."

Plans to bring in charges at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan, sparked angry protests from staff. Charges there start on October 3.

A pay and display system will be introduced at the Maelor with tariffs starting at pounds 1 for two hours and pounds 5 for stays over eight hours.

Discounts are included for long-stay patients and those needing regular treatment, such as kidney dialysis.

Staff parking will be 20p per day, or 10p for those on lower wages. A private company will run the car parks for the trust but health bosses refused to say how much the firm will get.

Independent health watchdog, Clwyd Community Health Council's chief officer Gail Roberts said "We welcome any scheme which will make it easier for patients and visitors to park at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

"However we will be monitoring the situation closely and if people wish to raise a concern about the scheme they can contact us on 0845 2267292 or at [e-mail].

Local councillor David Rogers backed the scheme.

He said: "I am aware of a number of abuses at the hospital's car parks.

"I have parked at other hospitals with the charges. It is good to have somewhere decent to park and to know there is security there to look after your car." Maelor Hospital spokesman Andy Scotson claimed the arrangements would encourage and enforce careful car parking, keep emergency routes clear and avoid traffic congestion.

He said: "Of course we know that introducing parking charges will not be a popular decision. Until now the trust has been able to subsidise motorists by absorbing the costs of providing car parking areas.

"However the demand for parking keeps increasing and I am sure that everyone recognises that we need to address the problems of congestion at the hospital."

Extra disabled parking spaces will be provided with 13 designated drop-off areas around the hospital.

Euro Car Park, which runs similar operations, will manage the 1,700-space scheme.

Car parks closest to the Maelor buildings will be reserved for patient and visitor use and the new arrangements will include CCTV coverage, improved lighting and car park patrols, which will be in radio contact with CCTV monitors and be able to help drivers find empty spaces

CAPTION(S):

Wrexham Maelor Hospital is the latest to plan car parking charges in a bid to ease congestion; Picture: STACEY ROBERTS