An NHS trust has apologised after parking problems left patients missing vital appointmentsBill Edgar, Bill Edgar and Local Democracy Reporter
11:23, 04 Feb 2026
An NHS trust has issued an apology to visitors following parking difficulties at a major regional hospital.
Locals warned that patients have missed vital appointments at University Hospital North Durham (UHND) due to a shortage of available spaces.
Cars are often left at the roadside and block access in residential streets, with visitors describing the issues as “chaotic and deeply distressing”, the City of Durham Parish Council said.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust has apologised for the difficulties and confirmed it has recently created 70 additional parking spaces.
Parish councillor Grenville Holland said locals had predicted the parking issues when around 100 hospital parking spaces were removed from the Melbury Court car park for new student accommodation.
He said: “This has caused real anxiety and frustration at what is already a difficult time for people.”
The Parish Council has requested the trust collaborate and actively encourage the use of the Sniperley Park and Ride service, which runs until 7pm and is merely one stop from the hospital.
It is anticipated that improved signage and enhanced communication will deliver better access for patients and visitors.
Cllr Holland continued: “We are not just highlighting the problem – we want to be part of the solution and solutions are available, for example, if the local Park and Ride scheme is integrated and timed to meet the demand.
“This situation needs urgent attention, and we are asking the trust, the County Council and other public bodies to work with us to make access to healthcare easier, not harder, for the people of Durham.”
Whilst proposals for an extra 222 parking bays received the green light in 2023, parish councillors report that construction has yet to start.
The trust has confirmed its dedication to resolving the matter and expressed willingness to collaborate with the parish council alongside other stakeholders to avert future complications.
A spokesperson stated: “We fully acknowledge the parking pressures and would like to apologise for the stress and inconvenience this causes to people attending for appointments or visiting loved ones.
“Following a review of parking and traffic flow on-site, we recently added 70 more public parking spaces by redesigning parts of the car park and have arranged additional staff parking at County Hall. There are now just over 1,000 spaces on-site, including around a third dedicated to patients and visitors.
“We recognise the loss of the privately-owned Melbury Court car park has had a significant impact. We continue to look for ways to increase capacity within our available resources and have contacted Durham County Council about securing more staff parking at County Hall, which, in turn, provides options for additional public parking. We raise awareness of alternative travel options such as bus routes, park and ride and patient transport services.”
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