Hospital parking petition 'voices will be heard'

The councillor behind a petition to create multi-storey car parks at a city's hospitals says the signatories' 'voices will be heard'.

Oxfordshire county councillor David Henwood, says the inaction on hospital parking is "incredibly frustrating".

Almost 2,000 people signed the petition calling for an investigation into improving parking and access at the John Radcliffe and Churchill Hospitals.

Oxford University Hospitals Trust announced plans to build five multi-storey car parks at three sites in 2017, but now says "creating significant numbers of additional parking spaces is not straightforward and, in many cases, <not> a viable option".

Henwood, who is part of the Oxfordshire Alliance, said: "It's incredibly frustrating that the county council won't hear that petition, and won't hear those voices, so that angers me.

"When the 'masterplan' was developed by the hospital, they were proposing two multi-storey car parks at the JR, two at the Churchill and one at the Nuffield, so it's not a new idea.

"I am just trying to promote this idea to increase capacity, so we can increase patients and increase staff.

"I will be taking this back to the monitoring officer to try and get this heard in the December meeting, and I'll take it to the city council to have it heard there as well. These voices will be heard."

Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) said that parking was a complex issue that must align with public policies on reducing congestion, improving air quality and encouraging sustainable travel.

Lisa Hofen, chief estates and facilities officer at OUH said: "We fully recognise how frustrating and stressful it can be when patients, visitors, and staff struggle to find a parking space at our hospitals.

"Our primary focus is always on ensuring that patients who need to access our services can do so as easily as possible.

"While additional parking capacity is often suggested as a solution, the reality is that our hospitals operate within tightly constrained sites and are subject to both local and national planning policies.

"Creating significant numbers of additional parking spaces is not straightforward or, in many cases, a viable option.

The Trust says measures have been put in place to alleviate pressure on parking spaces, including redesigning bus routes, and offering virtual and telephone appointments where appropriate.

Hofen said: "We remain committed to working with local authorities, transport partners and our communities to improve access to our hospitals, ensuring that patient needs and experience remain at the heart of our decision-making."

Patients and hospital visitors, who signed the petition, said the situation in Oxford is unsustainable, with parking chaos leading to missed appointments and additional stress.

Andrew Cattell from Grove, has been visiting the JR Hospital several times a week since his mother had a series of strokes in September.

He said: "Trying to get around the car park to even try and find a space has just been an absolute nightmare.

"The council are trying to do it to force people to use public transport and it's just impossible to do it, especially if you're not very well or you're disabled.

"The buses don't run when you need them to, so you're either turning up really early or really late for your appointments. It's just one big massive stress."

David Hearne from Oxford, who also signed the petition, agrees that action is urgently needed.

He said: "I extensively use buses and the hospitals and I can assure you that there's a desperate need for another multi-storey car park at that site, has been for a long time.

"It's patently and obviously an insanity, and it's not sustainable."

Despite gathering almost 2,000 signatures, the highways authority which has statutory responsibility for transport, has declined a debate on the petition.

Oxfordshire County Council said the decision to decline was made "because it is outside the scope of county council functions".

A spokesperson for the council said: "The development of a multi-storey car park is on land owned by a third party is a matter for the hospital authorities.

"The council recognises the difficulties that parking and congestion can cause for patients, visitors and staff travelling to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

"We are working with Oxford University Hospitals and transport operators to improve alternatives to driving, including better bus services and park and ride connections, alongside improved facilities for cycling."

Improvements to transport services have seen the recent launch of discounted park and ride and bus travel for NHS staff, aiming to free up limited on-site parking for those patients and visitors most in need.

Henwood says alternative solutions to the parking problems could include an access road connecting the hospital with the ring road at Barton Park, though some councillors oppose this plan.

Cabinet member for transport, Gareth Epps said: "If Councillor Henwood were serious about improving access to the JR, he would support the council's provision of a bus pass for NHS staff and the forthcoming hospital express bus services, both of which will also alleviate congestion and pressure on parking.

"However, he opposed the measures that provide the funding for these, and wants to dump more congestion onto the streets of Marston, creating more misery for residents living around the hospitals."