HOSPITAL PARKING 'RANSOM'

10.46.02am GMT Tue 11th Jan 2005

I Appeal To The Power To Give People A Choice

Ashford South East County Councillor George Koowaree has spoken out about hospital car parking charges suggesting the public are being 'held at ransom'.

The Liberal Democrat borough and county councillor said he felt he must 'add his voice' to the people who have written to Adscene about the charges at William Harvey Hospital.

Cllr Koowaree said: "I think it's uncaring for a caring establishment to hold the public at ransom by giving no choice to visitors. One has to pay for four hours whether one likes it or not. I appeal to the power to give people a choice. Let them decide what length of time to pay for."

In response to Cllr Koowaree's comments, transport manager for East Kent hospitals, Greg Bowyer, said: "We regret we have to charge anybody to park at our hospitals, however, the income from the car parks means that patient money is not being diverted into parking.

"The fact is if we did not charge the relatively low amounts that we do, £1.70 for three hours, we would not be able to provide parking facilities for our staff, patients and visitors without using money intended for medicines, doctors and nurses."

Cllr Koowaree said that it is not the cost of the car park that is the problem but the lack of choice. He said: "The hospital is controlling how much time the people visiting can stay. I paid £1.70 for three hours and I was only staying 15 minutes. Most people are saying we have no choice."