Patients and visitors to Aintree University Hospital set for parking price rise

Parking charges are set to rise at University Hospital Aintree after plans to introduce a sliding scale of fees were revealed.Patients, their friends and their families visiting the Fazakerley-based hospital for more than three and a half hours could be hit with a 150% price hike.

Hospital officials defended the move, saying they plan to extend parking concessions to patients suffering from certain conditions.University Hospital Aintree currently charges car park users £2 per visit. But a new scheme, set to be introduced in October, will see that change.



Drivers staying for between 30 minutes and an hour and a half will be forced to pay £2.50 for their visit, while those staying for more than three and a half hours will be hit with a £5 fee.In a bid to promote short term stays, the first 30 minutes of parking will be free, however.The changes are being introduced to cover the costs of maintaining the hospital’s parking facilities.

A hospital spokesman said: “We have reviewed charges at hospitals regionally before making this decision, our first increase in six years.“The key issue at the hospital has always been availability of car parking spaces. We have significantly increased these through our new multi-storey car park.

“However, we have a number of revenue costs for the services, so we have made the decision to increase charges in a fair way. “We estimated that 60% of visitors will pay the same as they currently do, or 50p more. We will be promoting the 30 minute drop off and plan to increase drop off zones.

“We will also be extending the concessionary parking for cancer care and other long-term conditions, with a view to offering these patients free parking or reduced rates.”

The hospital also plans to introduce a new pricing structure for staff parking, with lower paid staff being charged less than higher paid staff. Staff will be given a discount if they use car parks further away from the main hospital, helping free up more spaces for patients and visitors. A spokesman said the hospital had also been supporting public transport developments, including working with Liverpool City Council to install lights and pedestrian crossings at the busy Longmoor Lane entrance.

Former councillor Debi Jones was concerned the changes to car parking charges would hurt many visitors and patients. She said: “Anyone who has cause to visit Fazakerley hospital on a regular basis, either visiting, or for treatment will know that many more people will end up having to pay £5. “Anyone on minimum wage or anyone who is unemployed will end up paying up to £35 a week to visit loved ones. In my opinion, this is simply a charge too far.”

In 2007-08, people visiting the hospital paid £503,486 in charges.

source:  http://www.crosbyherald.co.uk/news/crosby-news/2011/06/30/patients-and-visitors-to-aintree-university-hospital-set-for-parking-price-rise-68459-28965741/