Health chiefs are coming under growing pressure to make it easier and cheaper for patients and visitors to park at a Brighton hospital.
More than 1,700 people petitioned Brighton and Hove City Council about parking problems at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Eastern Road.
Tonight (Thursday 24 March) the council formally voted for a big increase in parking at the Royal Sussex site.
Councillor Jayne Bennett, who represents Hove Park for the Conservatives and presented the petition, said: “Parking at the hospital should be easy and safe for patients and visitors at what is for most people a stressful time.”
Councillors were reminded about the major building project being planned for the Royal Sussex site as it becomes the biggest A&E centre in the area.
Ten years of building work is expected in three phases.
A Labour amendment pointed out that 450 extra staff are expected to be working at the site when the building is completed.
Although Councillor Craig Turton, who represents East Brighton for Labour, said that many outpatients would be seen elsewhere, leading to 90,000 fewer journeys a year.
Councillor Carol Theobald, who represents Patcham for the Conservatives, said: “We are very lucky to have a hospital like the Royal Sussex on our doorstep but I wish a great deal more thought would be given to making enough parking available.
“I visited my mother there when she was unwell and it was very stressful.
“I often had a 45-minute wait for very few spaces and it’svery expensive.
“I think it’s wrong that a lot of them are reserved for staff.”
She criticised the Greens’ calls for more people to walk, cycle and take the bus to get there, saying: “Not everyone can use a bus or cycle, particularly when they’re unwell.”
The council will take up the issue with the hospital, especially with discussions expected to be held about the rebuilding plans there.
Bunch of thieves!!