1,034 fines for illegal parking at Russells Hall Hospital

More than 1,030 fines have been issued to drivers parking illegally on roads near a Black Country hospital during the past year, new figures reveal.

Roads around Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital are regularly clogged with cars as people struggle to find a spot at the car park, prompting complaints from residents living near the site.

Figures show 1,034 tickets were issued between October 1, 2009 and October 31, 2010, raising thousands of pounds in revenue for Dudley Council.

There were 962 fines given to people parked along Pensnett High Street, 65 in Bushey Fields Road and seven in the A4101 Pensnett Road.

The council says the "vast majority" of the £50 and £70 fines are paid within 14 days, meaning a reduced figure is paid. Even if every fine was £50 and it was paid at the discounted rate of £25, it would still generate £25,850 for the authority.

A £6 million staff car park with 691spaces is currently being built at the back of the hospital and will be completed before the end of the year. Hospital bosses hope the new multi-storey will help to ease the congestion on roads and free up space for patients and visitors.

The parking problems have forced residents in some nearby streets to put out cones to stop visitors and patients parking outside their homes.

Council spokesman Phil Parker said: "Penalty Charge Notices are issued to vehicles that appear to be parking in contravention of the council's traffic regulation orders. Any ticket may be challenged by the motorist if they believe it was incorrectly issued."

Staff living within a mile of Russells Hall Hospital will not be allowed to use its new multi-storey car park. Bosses are hoping to encourage workers to walk, use buses or cycle instead.

Anyone using the new car park will have to pay. Monthly fees of £15 are proposed for full-time staff, £7.50 for people working less than 18.75 hours a week — £5 for bank staff and those on salaries of £16,753 or less. The fees are being introduced in a bid to claw back some of the building and running costs to invest in patient care.