Parking Fees Increase

MOTORISTS at hospitals across South Essex are now facing increased parking charges and a reduction in free parking time, under changes being brought about by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
As of July 31, patients and visitors using car parks at Southend, Basildon, Broomfield and Orsett Hospitals will face updated tariffs, with a reduction of free parking time to 20 minutes, down from the original 30 minutes.
The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust says the 20-minute free period will still help people “collecting prescriptions, dropping off or picking up patients, or making brief visits to the hospital sites.”
The biggest increases will be felt by motorists parking for longer periods.
The charge for parking for up to two hours will increase from £3.10 to £4, while the cost of staying for up to six hours will rise from £6 to £9.50.
Until now, drivers parking for more than six hours have paid a flat maximum fee of £10. From 31 July, this will be replaced by two new tariffs: £12 for stays of between six and 13 hours, and £18 for stays of between 13 and 24 hours.
The changes mean the maximum daily parking charge will increase by 80 per cent, rising from £10 to £18.
Natasha Kerrigan, Chief Estates and Infrastructure Officer for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, previously said: “Our patient and visitor parking charges will change from Friday 31 July, representing the first increase in three years.
“Some patients and visitors will not have to pay for parking at all, with our existing concession arrangements remaining unchanged, including free parking for patients receiving chemotherapy, people visiting patients at the end of their life, birthing partners, carers supporting patients with dementia and disabled parking for Blue Badge holders.
“We recognise that any increase in charges is unwelcome, but the costs associated with operating and maintaining our car parks have increased. It is important that we continue to provide safe, well-managed and accessible parking facilities across our hospital sites.”
Southend Healthwatch advised visitors: “The hospital car parks use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), so paper tickets are not currently issued.
“Before leaving, it is advisable to visit a pay point machine to check whether any parking charges are due and make payment if required.”
Picture: Southend will increase its charges. Pic Healthwatch Southend
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