Parking charges reintroduced at Royal Cornwall Hospital
The decision way made after an increase in congestion.
Parking charges have resumed at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske after an increase in congestion.
As of Monday 10th November, visitor, staff and patients have had to pay for parking which had been free since the first lockdown back in March.
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) said its decision to reinstate charges was to 'maintain fairness' for others who will need to return to the park and ride service.
It also found that a significant number of spaces were being filled by college students, as well as contractors from nearby building sites. These drivers have been turned away since it made changes at the beginning of the week.
Staff car parks remain free to those who previously held permits up until 1st December.
"Since the end of the first lockdown our car parks have become increasingly congested, as all areas had continued to have free access.
"To alleviate the problems we were experiencing and the difficulty this was causing for our staff and patients, a decision was made to reintroduce charges for staff, to maintain fairness for those others who will need to return to the park and ride service.
"We simply don’t have enough spaces on site for everyone who works here. We did request free parking at the park and ride for our staff but this was turned down.
"Unfortunately we found a significant number of spaces were also being filled by college students, as well as contractors from nearby building sites (not at the hospital) and these drivers have been turned away since we made changes at the beginning of this week."
"Until 1st December the staff car parks remain free to those who previously held permits. Charging for patient and visitor car parks resumed on 10th November."
Spokesperson, Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust