PATIENTS and visitors to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital could have to pay more for parking.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust wants to increase parking fees in January – the first rise since 2005.

Under the proposals, charges for up to 2 hours would increase from £1.50 to £2 and for up to 4 hours from 2.50 to 3.70.

But even if implemented, parking charges would remain amongst the cheapest hospitals to the region for up to two hours.

Only Bradford Royal charges the same as the trust’s proposed £2 for up to two hours with the remaining trusts charging £2.50.

Leeds General Infirmary is the highest at £2.80 for the same period.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust’s membership council approved the proposal on Wednesday and it is now subject to the trust’s board for signing off.

Charges for 24 hours at a £5 rate and Acre Mill at £2 per day will remain unchanged.

The plans could also see a free period of 30 minutes increased to 45 minutes across HRI and CRH.

Gary Ashton, general manager of estates and facilities at the trust, said in a report: “Over a period of the last few months work has taken place to examine the impact of increased running costs associated with the income from hospital car parking charges.

“The last increase at the main site was in April 2005 and since that time the trust has increased its cross-site Shuttle Bus, upgraded its external CCTV and introduced a manned system of car parking validation.”

He reported income from car parks also helps pay for barrier maintenance, buying permits and passes, signs and management fees.

A trust spokeswoman said: “The rise in fees will cover the increased costs of car park management and improving car parking operations for our patients and visitors.

“The amount of free car parking time for visitors will increase by 50% from 30 mins to 45 minutes to benefit visitors attending for small procedures such as blood tests and the rate for up to 24 hours will remain the same at £5.

“Free parking will remain for patients with certain conditions”

PARKING CHARGES AT OTHER TRUSTS

BRADFORD ROYAL INFIRMARY

Up to two hours: £2

Up to four hours: £3.70

MID YORKSHIRE HOSPITALS

Up to two hours: £2.50

Up to four hours: £3.70

BARNSLEY DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Up to two hours: £2.50

Up to four hours: £3

SHEFFIELD HALLAM/ NORTHERN GENERAL

Up to two hours: £2.60

Up to four hours £3.70

LEEDS GENERAL INFIRMARY

Up to two hours: £2.80

Up to four hours: £5.60