Pay on exit barriers to the patient and visitor car parks at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle will ‘go live’ on Monday 28 January.
North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust (NCUH) has been listening to patient and visitor comments on how the car parks at the Cumberland Infirmary can be improved and as a result, pay on exit barriers have been installed.
The introduction of the barriers means patients and visitors will no longer have to estimate how long they will need to park for and only pay for the time they use. The barriers also bring the added convenience of credit and debit card payments.
The barrier system will be used on the main public car park and the car park opposite Accident and Emergency. All staff car parks will not have barriers and will be clearly signposted for staff permit holders only.
There are also changes to parking for Blue Badge holders at the hospital as all concession parking has been moved into one area to make it more convenient. It is free to park in this area with a Blue Badge which is located at the rear of the hospital opposite the helipad and is all on one level. There will be no concession parking within the car parks with pay on exit barriers.
Work has also been taking place to make a temporary staff car park into a permanent car park which will be completed on Tuesday 22 January and open for staff use.
UK Parking Control (UKPC) will continue to ensure the safe parking of all cars on the hospital site.
There will be no increase in parking charges and weekly and monthly passes will still be available to purchase for visitors who may need to use the hospital for extended periods.
The 20 minute drop-off point at the front of the hospital will remain and is unaffected by the changes.
Michael Smillie, executive director of finance, estates & digital at NCUH, said: “The Trust and its PFI partner have been making improvements to the Cumberland Infirmary car parks for some time now and I’d like to thank all of our patients, visitors and staff for their patience.
“We have been listening to their comments and I am delighted that the barrier system is now ready to launch.
“The newly finished staff car park will open shortly too which is fantastic news for our dedicated and hardworking staff.”
