Hospital congestion fix could take months

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A BID to tackle congestion at University Hospital could take another 18 months to be completed.

Bosses will submit plans for a second entrance to the Clifford Bridge Road site to the city council by the end of the month.

That has been widely welcomed, but hospital executive director Ian Crich admitted it would not be completed until mid-2013 even if permission was granted.

Hospital chiefs also have plans in the pipeline to build 650 extra parking spaces behind the hospital building while a further 50 visitor parking spaces will be made available by freeing up unused spots in the staff car park after an audit commissioned by the hospital showed there were regularly that many empty spaces there.

A new route for ambulances would also be built and a one-way system be trialled to give priority to ambulances, buses and taxis as part of a huge congestion-busting scheme.

It would mean all other visitors being asked to turn right at the second roundabout, nearest the Caludon Centre, to get to car parks.

Mr Crich met with ward councillors Ed Ruane, Faye Abbott, Susanna Dixon, and David Welsh on Friday to discuss the plans.

He said: "After positive discussions we are now looking what changes we can make on site while the planning application is progressing.

"There is a real drive to work in partnership to improve our congestion in the short-term and I am pleased I was able to share these plans."

Coun Ruane added: "Going to hospital is often an emotional time and the last thing people should be confronted with when they arrive are traffic jams and parking problems.

"There is also a real safety risk for ambulances if they were unable to get access to the site."