Car parking charges for patients and visitors are increasing at Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital from Wednesday, 1 April.
Parking charges have not risen for more than a decade, and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s aim is always to keep parking charges as low as possible.
The change brings Bradford’s charges in line with Airedale Hospital to ensure continuity across the district. Staff parking charges are also increasing from 1 April.
Director of Estates and Facilities, David Moss said:
I understand that increasing parking charges is never a popular message. We have managed to hold public parking prices for many years but, following a significant upgrade to our car parking infrastructure, must now increase them.
The money we receive goes towards the maintenance and improvement of all car parks at both our hospitals, including the safety and security of our patients, staff and visitors by way of regular security patrols, providing CCTV and lighting, and through gritting and snow clearing in bad weather conditions.
The price for parking across our sites still averages lower, comparatively, with other NHS trusts, and any surplus money raised will be used to support patient services.
The Trust has recently installed a new barrier-controlled car park system, to make it easier for patients and visitors to park closer to the hospitals. These car parks are pay-on-exit which means that patients and visitors don’t have to worry about going back to their car to top up their parking or paying a higher charge because they’re not sure how long they’ll be.
The new pay stations accept cash, banking cards and banking apps.
Blue badge holders will continue to park for free and concessionary car parking permits are available if someone is an inpatient for more than seven days or regularly attends hospital.
From 1 April, the new charges are: