Changes have been made to parking in Cheltenham and Gloucester to support NHS staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
NHS staff-only bays have been created on certain roads in Cheltenham nearr Cheltenham General Hospital while employees can apply for a parking permit at Gloucester Railway Station’s car park.
And the shuttle bus service which links the county’s two main hospitals, the 99, will now also serve Cheltenham Spa Railway station as of today.
The local NHS said free car parking around Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital “will make a big difference”.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Cheltenham:
- NHS staff can apply for free NHS staff-only bays on Bath Road, College Road and Kenysham Road
- NHS staff and key workers can apply to the borough council for a free parking permit for 3 months in Rodney Road, St George’s Road, Sherborne Place and Commercial Street car parks. Apply here: www.cheltenham.gov.uk/key-worker-parking
- Park and ride at Arle Court, on the A40 by M5 junction 10, for the 99 bus service to Cheltenham General Hospital or Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. From 6 April the 99 will serve Cheltenham Spa Train Station.
Gloucester
NHS staff can apply for to parking permit at Gloucester Railway Station for three months here: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways/parking/parking-permits-and-zone-maps/
‘Free car parking will make a big difference’
Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member for parking, said: “At this time of crisis we wanted to safeguard public transport for NHS staff as well as free parking options. We have worked with Gloucestershire Hospitals, GWR and Cheltenham Borough Council to find the best options for staff. We hope this token of our appreciation will make life a little easier for our NHS heroes.”
Dr Andy Seymour, clinical chair at NHS Gloucestershire CCG, said: “Our NHS staff, social care workers, volunteers and other critical staff are working round the clock to care for our residents and save lives, so anything we can do to make their lives easier during this unprecedented challenge is welcome.
“Free car parking will make a big difference and we are grateful to our One Gloucestershire council partners and colleagues for suspending parking charges to help us get on with tackling coronavirus and supporting our communities.”
Councillor Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “We are working with our key partners to do all we can to help the response to this unprecedented health crisis.
“We hope that this offer will reduce some of the pressure for our NHS colleagues at this very difficult time.”
