05/02/10

Two years ago Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust found itself in the position of not having enough parking spaces on the existing sites, but without the capital money to pay for a multi-storey car park.

The Trust has worked hard to give staff alternative means of getting to work. The Trust already heavily subsidises alternative travel options for staff such as the free Park and Ride service at CGH, the free Route 99 service as well as a deal with Stagecoach which enables them to travel to work from anywhere in the County for 50p.

However, demand was still high for staff car park provision and it was decided that the only way forward was to seek an experienced private sector firm which could fund the capital cost of the improved car park provision as well as run our car parks fairly and effectively. Progress on the implementation of these arrangements were reported to and discussed at our Green Transport Group, which includes staff representatives.

The Trust went through a full European competitive bidding process and Vinci Park Ltd was selected for offering the best deal and having good experience of running hospital car parks.

The process of handing over the running of all hospital car parks to Vinci started last month (January 2010)
The arrangements for parking charges for members of the public remain unchanged. We have retained free parking for patients with long term conditions such as those receiving cancer treatment and subsidised rates for all patients who are in hospital for an extended period. Our car parking charges are also in line with those charged on similar sites throughout the country. Future rises will be governed by the same rules

In preparation for new arrangements for staff car parks later this year (April 2010) we have asked staff to fill in an application form for a staff permit.

The current cost of a staff permit to park is related to staff salary and this will remain unchanged in the future. However, in order to pay for the additional costs associated with the new arrangements (particularly the new multi-storey car park) an additional charge of 50p per day will be charged for staff who park in the staff car parks.

It is estimated that, even with the additional charge, the majority of staff members will pay £175 per year or less on parking.

Director of Corporate Governance and Facilities, Graham Lloyd, said:

“The increase is necessary to cover the costs associated with the new parking arrangements, particularly the provision of the new multi-storey car park at GRH. A planning appeal has been lodged regarding the CGH multi-storey car park and it is hoped that this will still proceed at a later date.

“Payment of the daily charge will be made using a smart card. Reusable smart cards will be issued alongside the permits. This will enable staff to top up their card, and to swipe the card when parking, avoiding the need for anyone to carry change on a daily basis.”