Parking at Peterborough City Hospital is set to rise, the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (NWAFT) has announced.

The Trust that runs Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke hospitals has announced an increase of 20p for visitor and patient parking charges from August 7.

Although, the first 30 minutes of parking will remain free of charge on both sites.

In making these changes, the Trust has compared the cost of parking at other local NHS organisations and public car parks in both local areas, to ensure charges are in line with these rates.

It says patient parking is still below the average cost for other NHS hospitals and still lower than average when compared against other organisations, even after last year’s price increase.

The charges will be implemented from next week under a three-year plan but annual reviews will still be undertaken.

Caroline Walker, chief executive officer at NWAFT said: “In reviewing our patient parking charges, we have opted to retain free parking for Blue Badge holders, for patients receiving cancer treatment and our Trust staff members.

All previous concessionary rates for parking will also remain in place to continue to support our longer-term patients.

“Increasing parking charges is always a difficult decision but we have a duty to ensure our car parks are well maintained and this is at a cost, so we have to look ahead to cover that.

This increase falls significantly below inflation as we have taken into consideration the current economic climate. We are also fortunate to have good working relationships with public transport links at both sites, so using the local bus services is an option too.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Write and let us know at: Shariqua.ahmed@newsquest.co.uk.