New parking charges at Salisbury District Hospital
There's reassurance that the fees remain with the hospital trust though
A new system of parking charges at Salisbury District Hospital has been brought in - and it's causing some confusion.
An Automatic Number Plate Recognition scheme came into effect yesterday (Monday 6th February).
It clocks vehicles as they enter the hospital site and drivers are then asked to pay via the machines, online, or using an app, by entering a car registration and paying for the time you've been within the hospital grounds.
But there's been criticism of the system for not being clear enough for some people, especially those without smartphones.
It's also come as a shock to some parking at the hospital, as Car Park 8 at the back of the site hasn't had working pay machines since the summer, leading to visitors getting free stays.
Fees stay in-house
The system's run by ACPOA, on the Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust's behalf.
Bosses have told us the Trust will receive all the parking charges collected, although they are being charged a fee for the management of the system.
The Trust has also retained full control of our car parking terms and conditions and for setting the parking charges.
From now on, the cost of parking at Salisbury District Hospital is as follows:
Up to 2 hours ÂŁ2.70
Up to 4 hours ÂŁ4.50
Up to 6 hours ÂŁ6.50
Up to 24 hours ÂŁ8.00
The charges are in place 24 hours a day.
The Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust has also issued some advice to drivers coming to the site:
"Car parking at the hospital is very busy, and at peak times, typically 10am to 4pm, demand is greater than capacity, resulting in delays in finding a space.
"We encourage all staff and visitors to use public transport and other sustainable means of travel to the hospital, like lift sharing, whenever appropriate and possible."