Staff car park extension at Colchester Hospital approved

The East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust’s plans for a new £2 million single deck extension were rubber stamped by Colchester Council’s planning committee.

But not before Colchester Cycling Campaign launched a late bid to scupper the proposals asking for them to be delayed for two years whilst a travel plan for the hospital was implemented.

Group member Will Bramhill told councillors radical action to reduce car usage was needed in the interests of Colchester.

He said: “I ask you to make a decision, not on what people want to hear, but on what they need to hear.

“Colchester Cycling Campaign is not anti-car - I drive, nearly all of us drive. What we are against is daily car dependency.”

Mr Bramhill said the car park extension would increase the number of trips to the Turner Road site and increase congestion and pollution around the hospital.

“What we’re asking is to defer this plan for further discussion with the trust and propose a two year delay so it can put in a robust travel plan in place see if that soaks up the need,” he said.

“We owe it to the town and the people in this town to defer this and look at it properly.”

The car park extension has been designed to replace 128 spaces which have been lost as part of the the addition of an urgent treatment centre at the site.

John Fulcher, head of capital development for the trust, said the spaces were urgently needed as there were 1,300 spaces for 3,000 staff with car park permits.

He added: “It is required for frontline and essential staff being on the site for a 24/7 basis.

“The majority of staff parking spaces are and will continue to be occupied by frontline and back up staff.

“However, the initiatives listed in the updated travel plan will help deliver a suitable and sustainable transport strategy for the facility.”

Councillors unanimously approved the plans subject to officers’ conducting further discussions in a bid to secure more disabled spaces and trees on site.