News Beat
Durham hospital parking criticised as patients miss appointments
Locals warned that patients have missed vital appointments at University Hospital North Durham (UHND) due to a shortage of available spaces.
Cars are often left at the roadside and block access in residential streets, with visitors describing the issues as “chaotic and deeply distressing”, the City of Durham Parish Council said.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust apologised for the issues and said it has recently added 70 more parking spaces.
Parish councillor Grenville Holland said locals had predicted the parking issues when around 100 hospital parking spaces were removed from the Melbury Court car park for new student accommodation.
He said: “This has caused real anxiety and frustration at what is already a difficult time for people.”
The Parish Council has asked the trust to work together and actively promote the use of the Sniperley Park and Ride service, which operates until 7pm and is just one stop away from the hospital.
It is hoped that clear signage and better communication will provide better access for patients and visitors.
Cllr Holland added: “We are not just highlighting the problem – we want to be part of the solution and solutions are available, for example, if the local Park and Ride scheme is integrated and timed to meet the demand.
“This situation needs urgent attention, and we are asking the trust, the County Council and other public bodies to work with us to make access to healthcare easier, not harder, for the people of Durham.”
Plans for an additional 222 parking spaces were approved in 2023, but parish councillors say work is yet to begin.
The trust said it is committed to improving the situation and is willing to work with the parish council and other partners to prevent further issues.
A spokesperson added: “We fully acknowledge the parking pressures and would like to apologise for the stress and inconvenience this causes to people attending for appointments or visiting loved ones.
“Following a review of parking and traffic flow on-site, we recently added 70 more public parking spaces by redesigning parts of the car park and have arranged additional staff parking at County Hall. There are now just over 1,000 spaces on-site, including around a third dedicated to patients and visitors.
“We recognise the loss of the privately-owned Melbury Court car park has had a significant impact. We continue to look for ways to increase capacity within our available resources and have contacted Durham County Council about securing more staff parking at County Hall, which, in turn, provides options for additional public parking. We raise awareness of alternative travel options such as bus routes, park and ride and patient transport services.”
