Staff parking charge hike at King George Hospital ‘will push cars into residential roads’

Staff parking charges at King George Hospital will rocket by more than 40 per cent next month, prompting warnings that cars will flood into residential roads.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) said it is raising the cost of permits at the hospital in Barley Lane, Goodmayes, because of “enormous pressure” on space.

Charges planned earlier this year were lowered following a consultation but the rise still represents a hike from £28 to £40 a month for full-time staff in the lowest pay bracket, and from £48 to £64 for the higher pay bracket.

A nurse at King George Hospital, who did not want to be named, warned staff would park in residential roads to avoid the “unfair” charges.

He added: “They want us to park in a reasonable place but then they put the charges up and people can’t afford it. It’s not like our wages have gone up.”

A salary sacrifice scheme is being offered and people will be encouraged to use public transport.

But the nearest train station, Goodmayes, is over a mile away, while Newbury Park Tube station is nearly two miles from King George.

A BHRUT spokesman said change was needed to “take action on the mismatch between supply of spaces and demand”.

She added: “There is enormous pressure on parking spaces at our hospitals, with staff spaces beyond capacity, and it is important patients and visitors are given priority.”