by Democrat reporter
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is reminding people who need to drive to our hospitals – “Please think of others before you park”.
Parking at our sites can be challenging at times, so we would always suggest that people make use of the public transport that serves our sites.
However, we are aware that for many people, taking the bus or train is not a viable option, so we would urge people who need to drive, to leave plenty of time before their appointment or start of their shift to find a parking space.
We appreciate that our sites – especially our main hospitals – can be busy, particularly at peak times, and finding a parking space can be frustrating.
However, we would like to remind people that our sites are working healthcare environments, with emergency vehicles, pedestrians and public transport requiring access round the clock, and ask them to think twice before parking.
When you arrive at our sites, please ask yourself a few simple questions:
Am I parking in a marked bay appropriate for me? Across our sites, designated parking spaces are available for patients, visitors and staff. These areas are clearly marked and we would ask you to respect them.
Is this space for holders of a Blue Badge? The Blue Badge scheme is essential for authorised users.
Spaces allocated for Blue Badge holders allow those staff, patients and visitors who have been issued a Blue Badge, to park in areas that improve their ability to access our services. Please do not use these spaces if you do not have a valid Blue Badge.
Is this a restricted area? Parking in a restricted area causes delays and has a significant impact on patients, visitors and staff. Parking in ambulance bays and other emergency areas restricts emergency access and has an impact on everyone accessing our services. Restricted areas are clearly marked, so to ensure safety and accessibility for everyone, we would ask you not to park there.
Please remember that bus stops are restricted areas.
Am I blocking pedestrians? Parking on a pavement or in a pedestrian area forces pedestrians, including those with disabilities or other challenges with mobility, parents with buggies, and the elderly, to walk in the road, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. Please do not park in these areas – and remember that some local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, have introduced fines for people parking on pavements.
William Hunter, of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “We are aware that across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde parking can be challenging for patients, visitors and staff, and we would like to thank the vast majority of those who use our sites for their patience and their consideration.
“However, once one person parks inappropriately, others follow suit, potentially causing a significant issue for emergency vehicles, public transport and vulnerable people.
“If you need to drive to any of our sites, please leave plenty of time to find a space that’s appropriate for you – and please just ask yourself the questions above before you leave your vehicle.
“The advice is simple – think twice before you park.”
- Meanwhile, West Dunbartonshire Council’s warning to motorists not to park on yellow lines locally or face a stiff monetary penalty is being ignored in many parts of the area, particularly Dumbarton High Street. Motorists forced into continuing to park in the High Street because the allocated car parking spaces on the Quay for people using shops and businesses in the centre of the town have been taken over by contractors working on the astonishingly ugly extensions and renovations to Glencairn House, costing almost £10 million and rising. There were 18 cars and vans parked on yellow lines on the High Street and Riverside Lane around midday on Thursday. People on the street were shaking their heads. One said: “All this money for a replacement library which wasn’t needed in the first place. All this chaos and inconvenience for people. I thought the extensions to Glencairn House looked like a new public toilet. And not a parking warden to be seen in the area.”