IN Sue Nelson’s column of March10 regarding the hospital parking fees, I take exception to the argument she puts forward.

When the new hospital opened in 1976 the car park was free of any charge .

The “owt for nowt “ brigade of motorist commuting in to town immediately took advantage of the free parking in the hospital, the car park filled with workers with no reason to be there. And savvy shoppers took over the few remaining places.

After all why pay good money in the Union Street car park when you can park for nowt only a few hundred yard away?

This resulted in no parking for genuine visitors.

The only way to make the hospital parking fit for purpose is by charging enough to discourage “owt for nowt” parking and charge more than the going rate for nearby parking.

I attended the Bexly Wing at St James’ Hospital Leeds for a radiation course five years ago and on receiving treatment at that time parked for free.

I have often wondered why the council never pushed for a Park&Ride site on the Clifton Moor side of town with a shuttle bus to the hospital.

DM Deamer, Penleys Grove Street, Monkgate, York