STAFF at Romsey Hospital finally have 20 extra spaces to park in, thanks to the work of the League of Friends.
The Countess Mountbatten of Burma officially opened the extended car park in Winchester Hill on Saturday, November 11.
With only around 15 staff parking spaces previously available, commuters to the hospital would often use the neighbouring roads, sometimes blocking residents’ homes.
The Romsey Hospital League of Friends, a voluntary organisation supporting patients in the area, first decided to expand the car park in 2018 with the space previously being overgrown and unused.
After being hit by the pandemic, work finally picked up again this year.
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Elaine Grainger, chair of the League of Friends, said: “It’s so important to have the extra space. Everybody in the neighbouring roads got blocked in because staff had nowhere else to park.
“It’s been a long time coming and I’m extremely pleased it has happened finally after a lot of planning.”
Before cutting the ribbon on the new parking spots, the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Penelope Knatchbull, said: “It’s a pleasure to officially open the hospital’s new car park.
“What to say about a car park? One can not comment upon the aesthetics or commend it for its life-saving properties as one might for a new ward or new equipment.
“However, this came about as a result of practicality and a recognition of human circumstances and I believe we need more of this thinking these days.
“The majority of patients and staff who come to the hospital on a hill will likely motor here. Their attendance should be made as easy as possible so it follows that the best effect of this new car park will be better care for patients and that is what the League of Friends stands for.”
Super to attend the official opening of Romsey Hospital's staff car park with the Countess Mountbatten of Burma and the League of Friends.
— Adele Bouchard (@adele_bouchard) November 11, 2023
The 20 extra spaces were much needed to give staff adequate parking, instead of relying on nearby streets.#RomseyHospital pic.twitter.com/nt3IYQKF9p
Lance Beatty, associate director of Romsey Hospital, said: “The car park has eased access for patients and already made a huge difference.
“It’s one of the things that has always generated a lot of complaints – never having enough car parking spaces.
“We’re massively thankful to the League of Friends for making it easier for staff and patients because we just keep getting more of them.”
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The development has uncovered a derelict building, believed to have first been a mortuary, at the back of the new car park.
A letter to the Advertiser revealed that the building, now fenced off, was once the home of Wendy Preston, her father who was the hospital porter in 1950, her mother and her two brothers.
Mrs Preston recalls a gardener moving into the two-bedroom property after her family moved out in 1965. However, the date it was first left vacant and left to rot remains unknown.
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