Northern General Parking Problems

I wish to express my views regarding the article ‘Northern General parking plans’ in the August issue of the Burngreave Messenger.

Firstly may I strongly object to the proposal for Norwood Road and Drive of limited waiting. This is a poor solution to the problems residents have in parking their personal cars. We need to have some form of parking policy which will not inconvenience the residents any more.

It was late 2006 that the Hospital introduced excessive parking fees for staff, patients, and hospital visitors. There was no consideration of the consequences of this action. The day after the charges were introduced there was chaos. Norwood Road was parked up on both sides with many residents’ drives blocked. On October 6th, the road became totally blocked with buses, cars (including a police car) and trade vehicles, all being unable to move – the road was gridlocked.

As a result, bus services along Norwood Road were suspended and emergency measures were brought in to stop parking along the left hand side of the road (driving towards the hospital). Unfortunately parking on the right hand side of the road was still allowed. The road is still parked, mostly by hospital staff from 7.30am until after 5pm. Other problems for residents include trades-people unable to park for deliveries and visitors and friends unable to visit.

For over three years, the residents of Norwood Road campaigned to find a solution to this problem. There were regular meetings with the Councillors, Hospital and police. I gave three presentations to different Council Sub Committees, explaining the problems. At one of these presentations I illustrated with slides the bad parking, the road congestion and other problems Norwood Road was faced with every day. After each meeting with the Council, it was agreed our problem needed attention. After much consultation with the residents of Norwood Road, several surveys and consultation on the best solution for Norwood Road, it was agreed to have Residents’ Parking on the right hand side of the road. This would only cover a short distance – from houses 96 to 136 – and would cover houses with small drives. At a final meeting with three councillors, the council official in charge of setting up parking systems and our Norwood residents we considered that our proposals had been accepted. There would be a period of time to set it up. We have heard nothing since!

To come up with a solution to the parking problems on Norwood Road and ignore the huge amount of work done previously on this problem is not acceptable. Further consultation and an examination of previous work is essential. I have documentation over two inches thick on the work done to solve the problem of hospital parking. There is little doubt that the residents of Norwood Road, along with the information gathered by our previous association, needs much more consultation before any solution is agreed upon.

Yours faithfully, D.T. Middleton

NB – The NGH management are introducing a new scheme of parking charges on 1st October 2-12. The issue of parking will be discussed again at the Burngreave ward meeting on 11th October 2012.

Read the Messenger's article on Northern General Parking Plans from the August 2012 issue.