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Hospital in £1m car park fee row Hospital in £1m car park fee row
(1 day later)
A hospital car park in Cambridge has brought in £1m in fees from patients, staff, and visitors in six months after increasing charges, new figures reveal.A hospital car park in Cambridge has brought in £1m in fees from patients, staff, and visitors in six months after increasing charges, new figures reveal.
Money from the 2,000-space car park at Addenbrooke's Hospital, is reinvested in security but the hospital does not benefit directly, a spokesman said.Money from the 2,000-space car park at Addenbrooke's Hospital, is reinvested in security but the hospital does not benefit directly, a spokesman said.
Charges increased recently by 30p to £1.80 for an hour's parking and £15 for eight hours - up from £12.50 last year.Charges increased recently by 30p to £1.80 for an hour's parking and £15 for eight hours - up from £12.50 last year.
Evening and Sunday all-day parking has increased from £2.50 to £3.00.Evening and Sunday all-day parking has increased from £2.50 to £3.00.
The hospital said parking on the site is self financing, so the hospital does not benefit from any of the revenue and money is not taken from other hospital budgets to maintain car parks.The hospital said parking on the site is self financing, so the hospital does not benefit from any of the revenue and money is not taken from other hospital budgets to maintain car parks.
According to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, new charges have generated a total of £922,068 in six months from April this year.According to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, new charges have generated a total of £922,068 in six months from April this year.
'Absolutely fleeced''Absolutely fleeced'
Geoff Heathcock, spokesman for health on Cambridgeshire County Council, is concerned about hospital parking charges. Geoff Heathcock, Liberal Democrat spokesman for health on Cambridgeshire County Council, is concerned about hospital parking charges.
He said: "I maintain that if Scotland and Wales can do away with car parking charges, England should certainly do the same.He said: "I maintain that if Scotland and Wales can do away with car parking charges, England should certainly do the same.
"In many cases, staff and patients have no alternative but to bring a vehicle. And they are being absolutely fleeced."In many cases, staff and patients have no alternative but to bring a vehicle. And they are being absolutely fleeced.
"Addenbrooke's is an independent hospital, so they have free rein to do what they like. Nobody is in a position to go to a government minister and complain.""Addenbrooke's is an independent hospital, so they have free rein to do what they like. Nobody is in a position to go to a government minister and complain."
An Addenbrooke's Hospital spokesman said: "If you do not charge people for parking that money has to come out of another budget, like patient care.An Addenbrooke's Hospital spokesman said: "If you do not charge people for parking that money has to come out of another budget, like patient care.
"We also have to make it fair for people who do not drive. If parking was free we would be effectively subsidising car owners.""We also have to make it fair for people who do not drive. If parking was free we would be effectively subsidising car owners."