Letter: Why Can’t the Underused Onslow Park & Ride Be Used By Hospital Visitors?

Published on: 2 Sep, 2016
Updated on: 2 Sep, 2016

From Bernard Parke

Hon Alderman and former Mayor of Guildford

Parking at The Royal Surrey County Hospital leaves much to be desired. For the second time this year they claim parking charges need to be increased.

It is often difficult to find a parking space on site for outpatient appointments and visits, often dutifully being made by those visiting sick friends and relatives. It seems unfair to cause them extra concern, inconvenience and expense which they cannot properly avoid.

A few hundred yards away is the underused Onslow Park and Ride site, unfinished even after a period of three years. Is it not possible, in the short term at least, for this to used for the convenience of hospital patients visitors?

Perhaps the shuttle could be used to stop near the hospital complex to help the sick and their visitors, sometimes at times of great distress.

Responses to Letter: Why Can’t the Underused Onslow Park & Ride Be Used By Hospital Visitors?

Martin Elliott Reply

September 2, 2016 at 10:45 pm

The Onslow Park & Ride is always raised with regard to Hospital Parking, for staff as well as patients. I’m sure the answer from GBC will be the same. The land is leased and it is a condition of the lease that it is ONLY used for Park & Ride.

Of course the GBC have not given any explanation, when raised, why they didn’t attempt to have the condition remove. Maybe they anticipated a higher usage by Park & Ride?
Jim Allen Reply

September 3, 2016 at 8:33 am

What an excellent idea.
Eddie Ward Reply

September 3, 2016 at 4:18 pm

I believe that Arriva at one time, did run a double-decker bus from the RSCH to the Onslow Park and Ride.

The bus was parked in the bus stop in Egerton Road, near the entrance to Tesco. Someone I asked told me it was to take staff to and from the Park and Ride. It may have been for staff use only, and I have to say, I never saw many people using it.
Dave Middleton Reply

September 4, 2016 at 10:54 am

Bearing in mind that there are two bus stops directly outside the hospital main entrance, I think Mr Parke’s suggestion that the Park & Ride shuttle bus be diverted to encompass one of those stops is a simple way to generate more usage of the Park & Ride car park, thereby: raising more revenue for the council; helping out those visiting the hospital; and complying with the lease condition for the land. It’s a winning suggestion for all as far as I can see.
- Martin Elliott Reply
  
  September 4, 2016 at 4:11 pm
  
  An interesting ‘bending’ of the ‘Park & Ride’ conditions.
  
  However it misses another well known problem of the bus services. Despite the conversion of the roundabout to traffic lights, there is still substantial congestion. Check the timetables; at rush-hour’ many buses bypass the hospital to try to keep to journey times.
  
  I can’t see adding a hospital stop to th P&R bus routes being considered.
Valerie Thompson Reply

September 4, 2016 at 1:54 pm

Why not, especially as they are increasing the already exorbitant parking fees at the hospital. Anyway, who’s to know whether you caught a bus or not?
JP Moyer Reply

September 5, 2016 at 5:32 pm

Martin Elliott’s comment is absolutely correct. I believe Mr Alf Turner of RSCH has explored this with GBC but it is a non-runner for legal reasons, however superficially attractive it may seem. Sad but true. It is simply not in RSCH’s gift to enable this to happen.

I am sure Cllr Spooner the GBC leader or Cllr Furniss will be able to confirm GBC’s unfortunate position too.

With luck and a good business case, the transport options to the RSCH, the Research Park, school and residential in Park Barn could potentially be transformed if Guildford West station can be secured. That is a real prize to aspire to.
- Jim Allen Reply
  
  September 5, 2016 at 5:44 pm
  
  Surely if there is an “unfortunate clause” in the legal agreement preventing Alderman Parke’s suggestion for better use of the Onslow Park and Ride then it should be challenged by the council, who should be supported by the hospital.
  
  If the will is really there the problem could be solved.