November 30, 2018 10.50 am This story is over 64 months old

No fines this week after hospital parking troubles

A relief for annoyed users
The car park at Lincoln County Hospital. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite

No fines will be issued this week after problems with the new parking system at the Lincoln, Boston and Grantham hospitals.

As previously reported, ULHT contracted ParkingEye to introduce a new automatic number plate recognition system, but they have run into some “teething problems”.

Patients have been waiting in queues of up to 20 people while workers attempt to fix broken machines.

At ULHT’s board meeting on Friday morning (November 30) it was confirmed that there will be no penalty charges for those affected by the changes for the past week.

The meeting opened with public questions starting with car parking and there was an apology to all users for the issues encountered this week.

As well as no penalty charges being issued this week, anyone that has incurred additional charges could be reimbursed.

The new system has been the cause of much anger.

Director of Estates and Facilities Paul Boocock said: “I do recognise it’s been a particularly difficult week in terms of parking on the sites and many people being inconvenienced because of the introduction of the new system while we get that up and running.

“I would like to offer a very sincere apology to anybody that’s been inconvenienced by that system.

“I think the weather has contributed to it being very difficult as well and we have had queues outside in poor weather. Certainly our intention for the system is to modernise it and to actually make it easier for people to use.”

He also added that they are looking at making sure all the machines are under covers, so people can get access to them out of the elements.