Hospital parking: Long term solution is needed

The problem of parking near Ormskirk Hospital is a long-standing one, and it is residents in areas such as Hall Brow Close, Thompson Avenue, Latham Avenue and Tower Hill who continue to bear the brunt.

Recently, the hospital announced that as of November 1, it is putting its charges up for short stay visitors and staff. So last week I wrote to the Chief Executive of the Hospital Trust to call on them to play their part in trying to find a solution.

It’s simply not good enough for the Trust to take the attitude that it’s just the highways authority’s problem. The hospital is part of the community – not a separate entity – and it has a responsibility to be a good neighbour and play its role alongside other agencies in mitigating its impact on the area.

Over the years, the Trust has sold a lot of their land off for residential development, some of which could have been used to create extra parking.

The Borough Council has recognised the need for more parking spaces in this part of Ormskirk and has actually significantly cut its charges at Derby Street car park from £10 for one hour on Mondays-Fridays to just 70p.

The Hospital Trust need to be a bit more imaginative about how they manage the situation. Through the Freedom of Information Act, I discovered that over a five year period, they raked in more than £2m income through parking charges at the Ormskirk site alone, and in excess of £3m at Southport.

That figure will keep going up now the charges have increased, but it’s no good raising charges without having a long term plan to deal with what is a long term problem for local residents living near the hospital.

Police pressed over parking issues across Ormskirk

My Derby Ward colleagues and I are pressing Ormskirk Police to take action over concerns from residents that vehicles blocking pavements and double parking on several local roads.

A number of residents have contacted me regarding issues with parking on Mill Street, Brook Lane, Thompson Avenue, Ravenscroft Avenue and Bridge Street.

I am told that in many cases, parents with push chairs, wheelchair users and older people have had to walk in the road as they have been unable to get past vehicles.

I’ve seen the problem of vehicles blocking pavements for myself, and have made representations to the police on the matter, as it is their job to ensure that pavements remain accessible for pedestrians to use.

I am pleased they have agreed to undertake patrols and I hope that, as a result, the situation on our local streets will improve.

Action over flagstones on Thompson Avenue

Action from Conservatives in Derby Ward will see running repairs made to cracked and uneven pavement flagstones on Thompson Avenue, Ormskirk.

I’ve joined forces with local County Councillor David Westley joined forces to make representations to the local highways authority, Lancashire County Council.

It comes after I was contacted by residents in Thompson Avenue concerned about some of the flagstones which were cracked or uneven, making it difficult for wheelchair users, parents with prams and older people to use.

Working with County Cllr Westley, we lobbied Lancashire County Council and they have now agreed to make running repairs with a view to resurfacing the pavement when monies allow.

Unfortunately, the previous Labour administration left our highways in an appalling state, so there is a lot of work which need to be done right across the area. However, County Cllr Westley and I will continue to monitor the situation and press the County Council to find a long term solution as soon as possible.