Sheffield hospital parking: Readers have their say on what would be a fair rate to pay
The price of parking at Sheffield’s hospitals has been criticised
Earlier this year, Private operator Parking Eye made the headlines when it increased the price of parking at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and Northern General Hospital.
It means a large number of frontline NHS staff are now paying up to £12 in fees just to do their jobs at the Royal Hallamshire if they are working a 12 hour shift, and that’s without even factoring in other prominent issues such as the increasing cost of petrol and diesel which continues to impact just about every road user throughout the country.
These increased parking prices also have a detrimental impact on many members of the public that are driving to attend important medical appointments, along with those that are simply visiting family members and friends in hospital while they are receiving medical treatment.
With that in mind, The Star asked its readers what they felt would be a fair rate for hospital car parks.
Our Facebook post generated a range of different responses, with the majority calling for the prices to be slashed.
Lynsey Foster said: “Make it free! If someone needs a hospital, working or even visiting someone they are already going through enough without having to pay for it.”
Julie Cusack said: “Free parking as it is in Scotland and Wales.”
Sheila Hague agreed with the idea of scrapping them in England as well, commenting: “Free parking it’s a hospital.”
Tim Mallender also argued that regular shuttle services should be provided for patients and visitors to help them get to important appointments.
He commented: “The key is to get decent public transport infrastructure then provide free parking for employees and park and ride facilities off site with regular shuttle services for patients and visitors.”
These concerns come amid previous calls from our readers for additional tram stops to better serve the public in Sheffield when they are making the journey to and from hospital.
Carolyn Hallam said: “Free is a fair rate, nobody is there for pleasure.”
Sadia Kamran said: “A couple of pounds for at least three hours.”
Adrian Shelly argued that staff should be entitled to free parking but claimed that visitors should pay a small fee. He commented: “Free for staff and for patients and visitors around £3 per hour.”
Jayne Heywood said: “Not £145 a month which I pay to work there.”
David A Jackson said: “Free as long as the people parking up can prove they have an appointment.”
Rebecca Barlow highlighted the challenges many families face in terms of paying for parking. She explained: “When my dad was in hospital for six weeks. I was there every day and slept in hospital overnight and it cost me £560 for parking. He passed away in hospital.”
Phil Vintin, however, claimed free parking could lead to an even bigger congestion problem, he said: “The car parks are busy enough with payment. Making them free would be a disaster.”
Joanne Cooke shared this view, commenting: “You wouldn’t get a parking space at all if it was free parking. Staff would be parked up for 13+ hours and most patients would no longer travel on buses and would instead travel by car.
“It’s hard enough even finding disability places when we take dad to the hospital. The Hallamshire hospital is so bad for disability spaces now.”