Visitors to Northampton General Hospital hit by increase in car park costs on same day cheaper alternative closes for revamp

Midsummer Meadow car park, which many people use because it is cheaper than the NGH car parks, was closed on Monday ahead of 12 months of work.

But on the same day, the price of three hours of parking at NGH went up from £2.90 to £3. The cost of parking at Midsummer Meadow was £2.40 for up to three hours, with cheaper increments for one hour and two hours.

One visitor to the hospital told the Chron: “I know it’s not much but it seems a bit off to put the price up on the same day. We always parked at Midsummer Meadow because it was cheaper, now we can’t park there and the price at NGH has also gone up.”

A spokeswoman for NGH said: “It is coincidence that the price increase has taken effect as Midsummer Meadow closes. We review the parking charges annually and any price increase is usually effective from April; however this was delayed pending formal approval and subsequent lead-in time for technical adjustments.

“We are taking steps to increase the capacity of our on-site parking, with work starting this month on our new decked car park and this should help to address the concerns that visitors have about the availability of spaces.”Midsummer Meadow car park will be closed for 12 months to allow for the building of a bridge that will link the University of Northampton’s new waterside campus to the town centre.

Motorists who usually use this car park are being advised to use any one of the town’s other car parks. St John’s and St Michael’s multi storey car parks are the nearest alternatives.

Speaking ahead of the car park closure, Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and planning, said: “The new university campus is the most exciting development for Northampton for many years and it has a pivotal role in the Northampton Alive programme of regeneration that is currently transforming the town. Another major step forward.”