New temporary car parking spaces for hospital staff have opened following access concerns from patients and visitors, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Bosses at University Hospital North Durham confirmed that additional parking is now available at Durham County Hall to ease pressures following a rise in demand.
Local politicians previously warned that patients have missed vital appointments at the Durham City facility due to a shortage of spaces.
Cars are often left at the roadside and block access in residential streets, with visitors describing the issues as “chaotic and deeply distressing”, the City of Durham Parish Council said.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust said staff will be encouraged to park at the council’s Aykley Heads headquarters to free up parking closer to the hospital for patients and visitors.
Steve Russell, trust chief executive, said: “We know that parking around the hospital can be a real source of frustration, not just for our patients, visitors and staff but also for people who live nearby.
“We are very grateful to colleagues at Durham County Council and to local partners who have engaged constructively with us to look at what more we can do. By working together, we have been able to identify additional parking capacity at County Hall, which we hope will help ease some of the pressure around the hospital.
“We all want to make sure people can access the hospital when they need it, while also being mindful of the impact on our neighbouring communities.”
Clear signage will be installed to guide staff to the designated parking areas at County Hall, with a review of parking demand to take place in November.
Mr Russell added: “We recognise that this will not solve every challenge, and our conversations will continue, but it is a positive step and part of our ongoing work with partners to improve access to our hospital site and be a good neighbour to our local communities.”
Durham County Council’s headquarters is due to close later this year ahead of demolition in 2027.
Kevin Lough, Durham County Council’s interim head of corporate buildings, said: “We’re pleased to be in a position to support County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust by offering some temporary parking at County Hall.
“We remain committed to the County Hall site being redeveloped as part of the emerging Durham Innovation District in the coming years, but we are happy to help hospital patients, visitors and staff in the meantime.”
Earlier this year, the trust revealed that plans to build a new hospital emergency department are in limbo due to funding delays.
The two-storey facility, which is set to be built next to University Hospital North Durham, was approved in January 2023 but is dependent on funding availability. The hospital’s East Wing corridor has been demolished but other works have been halted.
An additional 222 parking spaces were also included in the plans but work has yet to begin.
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
