News story
14 November 2000
ACTION ON FRENCHAY PARKING PROBLEMS
Northavon MP Steve Webb has hosted a meeting with
senior planning officials from South Gloucestershire
Council and senior management from North Bristol NHS
Trust to discuss the problems of parking in the
neighbourhood of Frenchay hospital. Problems first arose
last year when the Trust introduced a system of managed
car parking which was followed by an increase in parking
in the roads adjoining the site and on the edge of
Frenchay Common. Over the succeeding months a range of
measures have been taken to try to respond to the
problem, including provision by the Trust of extra
parking spaces on the Frenchay site and traffic
management measures by South Gloucestershire Council. On
Friday (10th November), Steve Webb MP met to review the
situation with Richard Workman (deputy director of
planning at South Gloucestershire Council), John Fox
(Principal Engineer in the Traffic Management Section at
South Gloucestershire Council) and Simon Wood, Facilities
Director at North Bristol NHS Trust.
The meeting reviewed progress to date on tackling the
parking issue and considered ways ahead. It was noted
that North Bristol NHS Trust is actively involved in the
Council’s “Green Commuting” strategy
designed to reduce dependence upon private transport
where possible. Mr. Wood reported that the Trust was
continuing to work towards resolving this problem, with
measures likely to include provision of additional
parking spaces coupled with further schemes to reduce
demand. Ideas being considered included incentives to
encourage staff to share cars and more efficient use of
existing shuttle bus services between the different sites
operated by the Trust.
Speaking after the meeting, Steve Webb said:
“There has clearly been major inconvenience to
Frenchay residents arising from cars parked beside the
Common and in side roads. I welcome the positive steps
which have already been taken by the Trust and by the
Council to reduce this problem, but there is still a need
for ongoing action. I hope that further short-term
measures can be taken to reduce the impact on residents
whilst longer term measures are put in place to address
the excess demand for car parking on the site”.
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