York Hospital responds regarding dire traffic congestion

Following yesterday's article on the ridiculous traffic situation around York Hospital entrance and  Wigginton Road, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation has now replied to Jorvik Radio. 

Following yesterday's article on the ridiculous traffic situation around York Hospital entrance and  Wigginton Road, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation has now replied to Jorvik Radio. 

Stating a mixture of issues causing the problem such as barriers not working, misuse of car park by shoppers rather than hospital visitors and lck of staff parking they are now in conversation with the Council to try and ease the traffic pressure.

They have told us:

“We are working with City of York Council to ease the pressure on traffic around the hospital multi storey car park and on our hospital site.

 “The multi-storey car park is regularly at full capacity which creates a queue to get in, and we make regular checks to identify people who have parked there who do not need to use the hospital, such as visitors to the city, so that we can redirect them to a more suitable car park.

 “We have recently had problems with car parking barriers in the multi-storey car park and these are due to be replaced with a new streamlined system. This will include reviewing parking permits to ensure they are being issued and used correctly. Further spaces are also being freed up by relocating our pool cars.

 “On our hospital site we are awaiting planning permission to create an extra 57 staff parking spaces to help relieve congestion at the front of the hospital. We continue to work on alternative travel schemes for our staff.”

 Councillor Rachael Maskell commented yesterday: " The congestion around York Hospital is resulting in patients being late for appointments and staff struggling to get to work on time. It is time that York had a comprehensive transport plan which would guarantee reliable public transport, safe active travel infrastructure and reduce people’s dependence on car use. Currently things are going in the opposite direction, with cuts to bus service and piecemeal traffic schemes. However the Council cannot ignore the pressures that are particularly building up around York Hospital either at a time when the NHS is under such pressure and patients and visitors are particularly anxious. The delay in having a comprehensive transport plan for our congested city is unacceptable."