Kingston Hospital bosses are raising parking costs to fund a desperately needed refurbishment amid criticism from visitors that the current system is in “dire need of overhauling”.

The cost of parking at the site is set to rise from £1.80 in the first hour to £2, despite criticism from some residents prices are already too high and the system is “over-complicated”.

But the hospital says it has “recognised” residents’ complaints over the parking system and will use the money to fund much-needed improvements.

Earlier this year, dad-of-two Stephen Ellison, 60, was handed a £100 fine after he accidently underpaid at a parking meter by just 10p.

While Julie Peek, 58, of Washington Road, in Worcester Park, has claimed she was also slapped with a fine when she took her mother to the hospital in February.

She said she was “left in tears” when unable to pay the toll with her £6 change and had to drive off without paying due to the “overcomplicated system”.

Ms Peek said: “I had never parked in this car park and was totally unaware of the procedure. I was in complete panic.

“I had to drop my mother off alone near the A&E entrance when was not really capable of walking, and trawl around trying to find a space in the car park to find a space and get back to her as soon as possible.

“It was dark, I was standing in the middle of the car park in tears not having expected to leave my mother at the hospital. I had only six pounds in cash on me but could not see how to pay with a card.

“The parking system is in dire need of overhauling and making simpler to use.”

The hourly rate will remain at £1.50 per hour, but the changes mean that all patients and visitors will be charged an extra 20p to park on the hospital site upon arrival.

Kingston Hospital has said its charges are still the same or lower than neighbouring hospital trusts despite the rise and has promised to reinvest the money.

Charles Hanford, director of estates and facilities at Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Charging our patients and visitors more for parking is not a change we want to make.

“However, we have recognised that our parking facilities could benefit from some updating, and these extra funds will allow us to make improvements that will benefit everyone.”

The new fees come into effect on Monday, April 3.