Ongoing parking problems around West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, prompt new survey

People living in several roads around a hospital are being asked if they think resident parking permits would solve an ongoing problem.

Suffolk County Councillor Richard Rout is carrying out the survey as some residents still have complaints after new parking restrictions were introduced to solve hospital overspill parking, around West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds.

However, Stonebridge Avenue and Grosvenor Gardens were not included in the plan and some residents there have complained problems have got worse, as a result.

Emma Green, who lives in Stonebridge Avenue, said: “People constantly park outside my house, Several times I have been unable to leave my driveway to do the school run and it’s very stressful.

“There are no restrictions at all along one side of the road and people just use it to park without regard. It’s often difficult to find a space and people get blocked in.

“It’s one hundred times worse since the restrictions, elsewhere, were introduced.”

Parking restrictions were added to almost 20 roads close to the hospital in October 2022, following two public consultations.

These included single yellow lines and restrictions between 10am and 11am, and 4pm and 5pm, Monday to Friday, to prevent all day parking.

Councillor Rout said: “Residents were previously surveyed on the impact of the new restrictions. While some wanted changes, the majority thought things had improved.

“The only alternative with some support, albeit from a then minority, was a residents' parking scheme.

“A new survey is being done to see if levels of support for a residents' parking scheme on some streets would be supported.

“Currently there is a majority in favour on Stonebridge Avenue and Grosvenor Gardens, which were not included in the new restriction plan.

“Elsewhere there seems to be mixed support and I'll be delivering the survey on Barons Road and closes off that, in the next couple of weeks.

“It would have to involve a number of roads to make any scheme economically viable in terms of administration and enforcement.”

Jacqui Ricot, who lives in Grosvenor Gardens, said: “I would be in favour of residents parking as people still park here all day.

“Many residents are aged over 70 and it makes it difficult for anyone with mobility scooters, when cars are parked half on the pavements, and for anyone like carers or ambulance to visit. It’s also dangerous in winter, when it’s icy.”

Bob Jones, however, who lives in Barons Road, where parking is restricted between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, said: “We were delighted when the restrictions came in as they were something we had campaigned for. They have made a huge difference as Barons Road had become a huge overflow car park for the hospital and needs to be kept clear.

“I can’t now see there would be any great desire for residents’ parking.”