KGH staff will soon be able to park for free

Staff at Kettering General Hospital will be able to park for free during the fight against coronavirus - and charges to use one visitor car park will be lowered.

In a welcome boost for those putting our health before their own, all workers, with or without a current parking permit, will be able to take advantage of free parking from April 1.

And visitor prices in car park A - where anyone staying over two hours currently has to fork out £15 - will be lowered to replicate banded charges in car park B.

Kettering General Hospital’s director of facilities and estates, Ian Allen, said: “The trust is actively seeking to do everything it can to support our teams in what will be a challenging period for us all.

“As a first step from April 1 until June 30 car parking for existing staff car parking permit holders will be free.

“In addition colleagues currently parking within our Robinson Way car park will be able to park within Car Park B from from April 1 until June 30.

“Also, colleagues without a current car parking permit can park for free in the Robinson Way car park without needing to apply for a permit. Robinson Way has its own shuttle bus to the trust.

“In order to enact these new arrangements our colleagues are asked to follow the link we have given them on our trust email system and provide their car registration details so that CP Plus can update the barrier entry system.”

A petition to make parking free for staff during the coronavirus pandemic had attracted more than 300,000 visitors.

On Tuesday (March 24) Peterborough City Hospital scrapped parking charges for staff, patients and visitors.

Mr Allen said KGH patients will have to pay as normal at the moment.

He added: “Staff authorised to use other car parks through their existing permit are asked to continue to park in their designated car park.

“The move will make it easier for our teams to work in the challenging times ahead.

“At the moment patients will continue to be asked to pay as usual.

“But we are also lowering the car parking prices for patients and visitors in car park A (closest to the main entrance) to replicate the prices in our other patient and visitor car park B."