Teesside MP launches petition against new car park payment system at Middlesbrough hospital
A Teesside MP is leading calls for James Cook hospital in Middlesbrough to end their plans to bring in a new parking payment system
Last updated 1st May 2025
A Teesside MP is leading calls for James Cook hospital in Middlesbrough to end their plans to bring in a new parking payment system.
Luke Myer - who represents Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland - has started a petition against plans for Parking Eye, saying it unfairly penalises vulnerable people and NHS workers.
So far the petition has had more than 3000 signatures.
Luke Myer MP said:
"I do not believe that this system should be forced upon sick patients and hardworking NHS staff. This company's model has been described as ‘aggressive’ and ‘punitive’. It's plain wrong to charge patients for being treated, or to charge staff for saving lives. Don't let ParkingEye cash in on the sick - sign our petition and let's get some proper consultation.”
BMA Northern Regional Resident Doctor Committee Chair, Dr Jack Fletcher, said:
“Doctors working at all levels at the trust are growing increasingly concerned about the negative impact that the implementation of Parking Eye could have both on doctors but importantly, for patients themselves.
“Rather than addressing the fundamental issues with parking capacity at South Tees, this will just unfairly penalise staff, patients and visitors with unnecessary fines. There is also a concern that those doctors who need to access parking for out of hours in emergency life-saving situations, or resident doctors on rotations who need to access parking on a less regular basis, will be adversely impacted. South Tees must listen to our concerns about the impact on patient care before pressing ahead with any implementation of this new parking system.”
UNISON Northern regional secretary Clare Williams said:
“The introduction of Parking Eye at James Cook University Hospital will impact on hard working staff who are already struggling to make ends meet. The proposed changes could lead to NHS staff being given punitive fines, even when they are unable to park. The new parking scheme will also impact on patients attending appointments who will have the additional stress of worrying about parking fines.
“UNISON is urging the trust to work with the union to find a solution and to halt the introduction of Parking Eye immediately.”
A Parkingeye spokesperson said: “We are in early discussions with South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to implement a system that will significantly improve how its car parks operate.
“We have lots of experience working with healthcare Trusts throughout the UK to implement modern consumer-facing systems which enhance accessibility and make parking easier and safer for staff, patients and visitors.
“Our systems are designed to ensure the efficiency and smooth operation of a hospital by ensuring that patients, visitors and staff park in their allocated car parks.
“Despite being in the early stages, the system at The James Cook University Hospital will be a Pay on Exit solution in response to the requirements of the Trust.
“There will also be a wider marketing campaign with all users to ensure they are fully educated and use the car parks responsibly once the new system goes live.”
A spokesperson for South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said:
“As part of our plans to improve and standardise parking across our hospital sites we are introducing automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) parking at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and Friarage Hospital in Northallerton for visitors and staff.
“We are currently in early discussions with an external ANPR provider and our staff side representatives with a view to the new system going live in the summer.
“Visitors will pay on exit by entering their registration into payment kiosks. Blue badge holders will still be able to park for free and permits will still be available for regular visitors.
“This new system will improve safety for drivers and pedestrians and remove the need for barriers which can cause significant delays at exit and entry points. The system will also provide accurate data to help us improve onsite traffic management.
“It will also standardise parking across all University Hospitals Tees’ sites, making it easier for both staff and visitors to travel between South Tees Hospitals and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trusts.”