THE PARKING nightmare for the one million people who use York District Hospital every year could finally be over.

The hospital is inviting tenders from construction firms to build a new car park deck for 150 extra cars above the existing car park in front of the main hospital building.

In the New Year, the trust also proposes to get a park-and-ride subsidised bus service for staff at peak times.

It also plans 38 more cycle racks, better staff changing facilities and a push towards more car-sharing.

York Health Services NHS Trust has been working with the City of York Council to resolve the parking crisis, which often leaves motorists queueing in Wigginton Road as they wait for a parking space.

The trust has asked for tenders to be submitted by January 4, and is hoping the new deck will be operational by 2003.

The Evening Press has reported how problems were building up, particularly on afternoons when inpatients' visitors vie with outpatients for parking spaces.

Outpatients who had not allowed enough time to park their cars often ended up late for their appointments.

The York trust's deputy chief executive, George Wood, said the new cycle racks and staff changing facilities would be ready by June and a car share scheme would be in operation by March or April.

He said the trust was going to begin discussions with First York about using an existing park-and-ride site for a subsidised staff bus service, expected to operate between 7am and 9am and 4pm and 6pm.

"The plan takes into account the need to address the growing traffic congestion in the city and the impact it will have on our lives if we don't do something about it," he said.

Roy Templeman, director of environment and development services at the council, added: "Anyone who has seen the traffic queueing each day on Wigginton Road, waiting to access the hospital, will realise that something needs to be done.

"We have been working closely with the NHS Trust in the development of their travel plan."

Updated: 12:04 Monday, December 03, 2001