Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital moving to ticketless car parking to ease queues

The scheme will mean motorists using the three visitor car parks will no longer need tickets as the current parking arrangements will be replaced by an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system.

Drivers will be able to pay at a terminal or via an app. It will also allow blue badge holders to register online for free parking or scan their badge on site.

Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust  chief executive Diane Wake said:  “We are delighted to announce that our three Russells Hall Hospital visitor car parks are soon to be using automated number plate recognition software.

 “This means our patients and visitors will no longer need a physical ticket which will allow better movement of traffic in and out of our car parks and will make visits to the hospital much smoother.”

The trust had been holding an online public consultation exercise over the initiative which will see penalty notices issued if motorists fail to pay up in time. 

It has also urged residents, community groups and staff to air their views on what were suitable times to drop off, find a space or exit without paying - with options varying from five to 20 minutes. And for those "forgetting to pay" before leaving the car park whether 24, 48, or 72 hours would be the preferred time period for payment to be made  afterwards to avoid being fined. 

The survey on the ratemynhs website stated: "We are seeking the views of our staff and patients to develop the final design and protocols to allow the installation of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition System (ANPR) to patient car parks at Russell's Hall."

However, the scheme and the way the survey has been carried out have attracted some criticism. Posting on Dudley Healthwatch's Facebook page resident Angela Philpott said: "It seems to me that if they change it, it will cause chaos. Once again not taking any regard for people who are not online."