On Friday, January 4, my partner and I went to Epsom Hospital by car to visit a friend. I put my car in the car park at about 5.30pm and it was less than half full.
I stayed at the hospital for less than one hour and on returning to the car park noted that it was by now about one third full.
I paid £2 for my parking charge and noted that the parking tariff for the rest of the evening was the same as that charged throughout the day.
£2 for the first hour ( first 20 minutes free) and then £1 for every half hour thereafter up to a maximum of £12.
I then considered why the fee was the same throughout the 24 hours ( with some concessions) and for what reason the charges were made. After all, I was now looking at a semi deserted car park.
I concluded that during certain hours the hospital parking is being used simply as a cash cow, even though the hospital website wraps up a number of issues as its reason for the charges.
If the sole purpose is not to make money, why are the fees not reduced once the main business of the day is over at about 5pm? Patient visiting does not end until 7.30pm.
The Ashley Centre charge £1.20 for the whole period from 6.30pm – 5am but the hospital makes no reductions for evening visits to a car park that is practically empty.
Over to you chief executive.
George Crawford; QPM Residents Association borough councillor, Cuddington Ward
What do you think? Leave a comment below or send a letter to: letters@epsomguardian.co.uk.
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