Campaign grows against parking charges at Ellesmere Port Hospital

Patients, NHS staff, residents, councillors and the local MP gathered outside Ellesmere Port Hospital to oppose plans to introduce parking charges.

Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders organised the event, warning the proposals would penalise patients, visitors and staff while increasing parking pressure on surrounding residential streets.

He is backing Whitby Health Partnership, the GP practice that shares the hospital car park, in its opposition to the plans. An online petition has already attracted more than 2,300 signatures.

Mr Madders, Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Cllr Louise Gittins (Little Neston) and deputy leader Cllr Karen Shore (Central & Grange) have jointly written to Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Jane Tomkinson urging the Trust to reconsider.

The letter warns there are serious concerns the proposals would :

"… impose financial burden on staff, visitors of patients — many of whom have long stays due to the rehabilitative nature of the hospital — and day patients.

"This will also impact those attending the site to visit Whitby Health Partnership or the adjoining pharmacy.”

“Given that the car park already experiences high demand and frequent overcapacity, there is a concern that this will result in vehicles parking on the main road outside the hospital and in the mainly narrow surrounding side streets, creating further traffic congestion and potential safety issues for the community.”

The letter also questions the lack of wider consultation with patient groups, residents and elected representatives and says the installation of barrier equipment "very much suggests that a decision has already been made without the consultation of residents, patients or the Primary Care Network”.

Under the proposals, parking would remain free for 30 minutes before charges of £3.65 (up to four hours), £5.70 (up to six hours) and £7.80 (up to 24 hours) apply.

To add your name to the petition, visit: 

https://www.change.org/p/stop-parking-charges-at-ellesmere-port-hospital

Pictured - People gathered outside Ellesmere Port Hospital to show they are against parking charges being introduced there.