Taunton residents battle with Musgrove Hospital staff over parking

A Taunton woman's car has been damaged outside her home following continued parking issues at Musgrove Park Hospital.

The issue stems from a lack of available parking for hospital staff who are being forced to use residential spaces instead of hospital spaces.

Somerset County Council had organised a meeting with residents on Sunday to discuss changes to parking policy, however Councillor Harvey Higgs who is responsible for these matters, did not attend.

A woman's car on Galmington road was hit recently after a lorry  was unable to safely drive through due to the number vehicles packed on either side of the road.

Councillor Justine Baker has been receiving numerous complaints about the difficulties and is attempting to solve the problem:

She said: "We know the situation is getting beyond frustrating and is causing a great deal of distress

"One resident was woken in bed  by a hospital worker ringing the bell to get a car moved so the worker could drive off.

"Another had her car damaged by commuters forcing their cars into a tiny space," she added.

"The last straw came when we heard that residents in Parkfield Crescent were being offered a parking scheme to get banish commuters.

"We fully support Parkfield residents. We just want fairness and equal treatment for other residents with identical problems.

"We are meeting with the Chief Executive of Musgrove Park Hospital in October to see if there is anything further they can do to encourage their staff to park elsewhere.

 "However, until there is some sort of resident parking scheme in place they can still park there legally.

"If the policy was changed then we would hopefully proceed with a consultation with the public regarding a parking scheme, which we know is very much needed in the area."

A resident of Belmont Road, near the hospital, has said that the parking issues are causing blazing rows between residents and hospital staff:

"I have witnessed major rows when residents catch nurses parking outside their houses – they go out and tell them to **** off!

"I am annoyed that my own mother can never park outside when she comes round, but I know others are much angrier than I am.

She added that the chock-a-block parking was causing issues with waste collection as well:

"When the staff park along my road, which is a dead end, the recycling lorry can't get through which also really annoys me.

"My recycling bins have now been out for a week because they didn't get done last time, they were meant to be emptied last Tuesday."

Taunton Deane Councillors Justine Baker and Alan Paul have now launched a petition for these parking problems to be resolved.

To find out more contact justinemariebaker@gmail.com.