There are currently no “confirmed plans to build a multi-storey car park” at St Mary’s Hospital, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust has said, despite the idea first being touted two years ago.
Back in 2023, the trust set out three options to increase parking capacity at the site — a decked car park being one of them.
The other two options involved replacing all existing equipment relating to car parking, including pay machines and barriers, while the second was the create an extra 50 parking spaces adjacent to the main visitor car park.
It “remains an option for the future”
Although it “remains an option for the future,” the trust said “we currently have no confirmed plans to build a multi-storey car park”.
However, the trust said it is planning to deliver ‘a number of improvements’ later this Spring, including new ‘signage’ and ‘car parking payment equipment’.
It follows long-running complaints about the Island hospital’s car parking facilities.
Reported problems
Reported problems with St Mary’s car park ticket machines were among the key issues highlighted by Healthwatch Isle of Wight in its latest January to February Intelligence Report.
One user told the watchdog,
“I would like to raise serious concerns regarding the current hospital parking system, as it is not fit for purpose and poses significant challenges for the community.”
NHS: We will continue to explore several initiatives
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight NHS Trust said,
“We regularly assess car parking capacity at the St Mary’s Hospital site, this includes evaluating the need for additional car parking.
“As part of our forward planning we will continue to explore several initiatives to improve the experience for people parking at St Mary’s.
“Later this spring we look forward to bringing in a number of improvements including new signage and the installation of new car parking payment equipment that will be more user friendly and reliable.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
