More double yellow lines near hospital

More double yellow lines are set to be introduced around Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital to stop drivers parking around the site for free, it emerged today.

The city council is about to launch a consultation about extending restrictions along part of Wolverhampton Road to "fill in the gaps" between existing lines. It comes after years of complaints from nearby residents about motorists parking up around the hospital in order to avoid the charges levied on those who use the on-site spaces.

Many visitors refuse to pay to park on the 1,800 space hospital grounds because of the costs, chossing instead to park on streets around the site.

Tim Clark, spokesman for Wolverhampton City Council, said: "There is a proposal to put double yellow lines along Wolverhampton Road between its junctions with New Cross Avenue and Graiseley Lane.

"There are already some lines there, but this would fill in the gaps. This would alleviate the problems with vehicles parking on both sides of the road which causes congestion and accidents on what is a busy stretch.

"Before doing this, we need to consult with residents and businesses which we would anticipate doing in the next few weeks once the proposal has been approved by a senior officer."

Last year the authority considered consulting over whether to have parking meters down Wolverhampton Road, but transport chiefs say it would be better to extend the yellow lines and stop drivers parking there altogether, so it never got off the ground.

Parking at new cross costs £2 for three hours, £3 for three to five hours and £5 for anything above that.

Councillor Milkinder Jaspal, who represents Heath Town, said: "This must be welcomed - when the consultation starts it is important people have their say. When cars park up in Wolverhampton not only is it not fair on those who pay to park on site, it narrows the road and causes congestion."