Hospital congestion causes 'dangerous driving'

Drivers have been travelling the wrong way down the road due to congestion near a hospital, a councillor has claimed.

During a meeting this week, City of York councillors heard how this type of dangerous driving was caused by congestion from York Hospital's car park backing up onto Wigginton Road.

Nearly 1,900 people have so far signed a petition presented by Labour councillor Dave Merrett, alongside councillors Rachel Melly and Tony Clarke, calling for solutions to the problem.

Claire Douglas, the council's Labour leader, said the authority's transport spokesperson was set to hold talks on the congestion in due course, while the NHS trust running the hospital said the issue was under review.

A spokesperson for the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospital Trust told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they recognised parking could be frustrating for patients, visitors and staff.

The trust's Board of Directors meeting heard potential solutions could include providing patients with information about potential queues and other car parks.

Other suggestions included looking at visiting times to avoid a rush in the afternoon and sending more patients to Scarborough and Bridlington in the long term.

Board chair Martin Barkley told the meeting the trust was looking at the options, and some suggestions could be implemented within weeks.

Speaking at City of York Council's executive meeting on Tuesday, Merrett said the congestion resulted in pollution, delayed and disrupted journeys.

"It's also dangerous, we have had instances of drivers driving up the wrong way on the other side of the road to get passed the queues," he said.

"A large range of solutions have been suggested, it's clear that what's needed is a strategic travel plan for all trips to the hospital which manages the traffic and prioritises limited parking for those who most need to travel door to door."

The council's city development lead Garry Taylor previously said they were working with the trust to tackle the issue but there were no immediate solutions.

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