FED-UP workers at a busy hospital have launched a petition calling for better parking facilities. 

As hospitals begin to open up once again for appointments and visiting, parking has become a huge issue at Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital. Staff claim they are scrambling for spaces after pre-covid regulations have come back into force.

Nichola Allen, who launched the call said that the situation is becoming more stressful. She added: "The car parking for the staff in and around the grounds of the Royal Alexandra Hospital is becoming extremely challenging and stressful. This is due to the increase in complaints from the neighbouring residents."

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It is understood that barriers and parking attendants have been introduced to try to alleviate issues, but staff claim this has made the situation worse. Nichola added: "These measures were introduced to ensure that both patients and visitors have a parking space when attending or visiting the hospital.

"Both the residents, patients and visitors attending the hospital should have no issues when parking their vehicles however the measures that have been introduced leave the staff struggling to park their cars before a busy shift.

"All the staff just want is to be able to come to their workplace and park their car without being intimidated or feeling incriminated. These points have been raised many times however nothing happens, therefore, this petition will hopefully show that the staff now want a resolution to this ongoing stressful situation."

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West Scotland MSP, Neil Bibby, has given his backing to the petition. He said: "Sadly the worsening parking situation at the RAH was totally foreseeable and has been for years.

"It is becoming more and more stressful for staff, patients, visitors and people living near-by. The lack of action from health board bosses and the Scottish Government is bitterly disappointing. They have been warned that public transport in the area is not good enough and car parks have been too congested for too long. 

"It is time for investment at the RAH to create new, safe car parking places for all those who need to use the car to get to the hospital." 

Health board bosses confirmed that they have reintroduced parking restrictions as hospitals become busier and have encouraged staff to plan routes ahead of time.

A spokesman for the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "During the pandemic, when there were significantly fewer patients and visitors to our sites and access to public transport was reduced, NHSGGC relaxed parking regulations. This, in turn, opened up more spaces for staff who had previously parked elsewhere or used public transport to get to work.

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"As the COVID restrictions have eased, there has been an increase in public transport services available to staff and our sites are much busier due to patients now being able to receive visitors. A decision was therefore taken to reinstate our managed parking system on all sites at the end of June.

"The parking regulations apply during peak times of 07:30-16:30 only. All parking spaces, aside from those assigned for people who are registered as disabled, are available to staff outwith these times. It is important that we ensure spaces designated for patients and visitors are available to them, so that they can make appointments in good time.

"In addition, we understand the concerns of some staff and the cumulative impact of local parking restrictions put in place by the local authority last year. However, as COVID restrictions ease we must revert to our previous, pre-pandemic parking arrangements to manage the differing demands. Staff are encouraged to plan ahead and consider alternative travel options, should they wish to, using Travel Plan Scotland and local NHSGGC Travel Plan resource guides."