Plans to upgrade Worcestershire hospital car park
It would see an extra 75 spaces created.
Worcestershire Royal Hospital is planning to upgrade one of its car parks.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust wants to resurface the staff car park for the Elgar Unit, a specialist mental health ward, and add lights to make it safer for workers.
Plans submitted to Worcester City Council show the work would result in the creation of 75 parking spaces including eight with electric vehicle charging capabilities and six for motorbikes.
The car park can currently accommodate up to 83 vehicles – in theory – but has a number of problems.
“Spaces are not delineated and during inclement weather, pooling of water across the site occurs,” planning documents state.
“It is also unlit and can, during wetter periods, be a hazard for users of the car park and result in soiled footwear; a particular problem for staff beginning a shift at the Elgar Unit.
“The works will provide a more efficient car park with a more uniform surface.
“A portion of the former car park will be returned to soft landscaping, with a perimeter hedge row and planting wrapping the majority of the car park, accompanied with small trees.
“The car park will also see the installation of a new electric feeder pillar beside the existing substation to serve the new EV chargers and additional lighting columns, supplementing the existing one.”
The trust says it is unlikely the car park actually provides 83 spaces because of its layout and the amount of rainwater that pools on its surface.
It also says it has considered the impact of installing new lights, which would make the car park safer at night, on nearby apartments.
According to the trust, the flats are owned by a third party but occupied by NHS staff.
A second car park for patients and visitors at the front of the Elgar Unit, accessed via Newtown Road, isn’t affected by these plans.