Burton’s MP, Kate Griffiths, has welcomed the news that Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust has received £3 million to be used for a new 425 space multi-storey car park at Queen’s Hospital.
The Hospital site off Belvedere Road in Burton has long been troubled by insufficient parking capacity for both staff and visitors. This has also had a knock-on impact for local residents, with cars overspilling into neighbouring streets at the busiest of times.
Local County Councillor, Bernard Peters has also been calling for increased capacity for vehicle parking at Queen’s Hospital for a number of years. Alongside Kate Griffiths MP, Cllr. Peters’ has been working closely with the Hospital Trust to develop plans to increase car parking capacity for the benefit of his local residents and hospital users.
Kate Griffiths MP has made clear that when she meets shortly with the Trust’s CEO, Gavin Boyle, she will be asking him to pledge that car parking charges—which were scrapped at the start of the pandemic—will not be re-introduced for those that use and need the hospital most, or for NHS staff.
Kate Griffiths MP said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Burton’s hospital is to receive £3 million to expand its car park capacity. I know very well myself that Queen’s Hospital and its staff have always been there for residents when we need it most, but parking has always been a nightmare.
“People should not have to worry about parking when the purpose of their visit may be of much greater concern—for themselves or for a loved one. This additional capacity will make a big difference, and I know it is something both staff and visitors will welcome. I also pay tribute to the efforts of Cllr. Peters’ who has with me been calling for improvements to parking at Queen’s for some time and I know this announcement will also be welcomed by our constituents in the Horninglow area.”
Staffordshire County Councillor for Horninglow and Stretton, Bernard Peters, said:
“For some years now, I have been campaigning on behalf of my residents in the Hospital area for increased car-parking capacity on site to reduce the level of on-street parking around their properties.
“When I was first elected to Staffordshire County Council four years ago, I made a commitment to residents to look into this issue and I am delighted that we have now managed to bring about the injection of cash needed to kickstart this project for the benefit of both local residents and hospital users.”
In a letter to Kate, the Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, said:
“As set out in the Government’s manifesto, we are committed to ensuring that patients, staff and visitors who most need parking can access it.
“As part of this, we are committed to increasing hospital car parking capacity, and capital funding was set aside this financial year to do so.”
