Details of free NHS parking announced

This week Gloucestershire County Council have secured dedicated free parking for NHS staff in Cheltenham and Gloucester. The move has secured on and off street parking options that provide free parking for NHS workers whilst ensuring residents working at home still have places to park.

In addition to this the county council have been in talks with GWR to ask them to protect key rail services that are used by NHS staff and coincide with shift patterns. Alongside this they have also arranged for the shuttle bus service that links the two major hospitals to also visit the rail station in Cheltenham.

Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member for parking, said, “At this time of crisis we wanted to safeguard public transport for NHS staff as well as free parking options. We have worked with Gloucestershire Hospitals, GWR and Cheltenham Borough Council to find the best options for staff. We hope this token of our appreciation will make life a little easier for our NHS heroes.”

Dr Andy Seymour, Clinical Chair at NHS Gloucestershire CCG, said, “Our NHS staff, social care workers, volunteers and other critical staff are working round the clock to care for our residents and save lives, so anything we can do to make their lives easier during this unprecedented challenge is welcome. Free car parking will make a big difference and we are grateful to our One Gloucestershire council partners and colleagues for  suspending parking charges to help us get on with tackling coronavirus and supporting our communities.”

Cllr Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety at Cheltenham Borough Council, said, “We are working with our key partners to do all we can to help the response to this unprecedented health crisis. We hope that this offer will reduce some of the pressure for our NHS colleagues at this very difficult time.”

On street

In Cheltenham – NHS staff can apply for free NHS staff only bays on Bath Road, College Road and Keynsham Road.

Off street car parks

Gloucester Train Station - NHS staff can apply for a free car parking permit for 3 months.

Cheltenham town centre  – NHS staff and key workers can apply to the borough council for a free parking permit for 3 months in Rodney Road, St George’s Road, Sherborne Place and Commercial Street car parks.

Public transport

Park and ride at Arle Court (A40 by M5 junction 10) for the 99 bus service to Cheltenham General Hospital or Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. From 6 April the 99 will serve Cheltenham Spa Train Station.

For more information go to www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/parkingpermits