bill to abolish car parking charges at hospital, and Ninewells in particular.Disappointed at continuation of car parking charges at Ninewells
West End Councillor Richard McCready today expressed his disappointment at the continuation of car parking charges at Ninewells Hospital in his council ward. Councillor McCready was speaking after Paul Martin MSP failed to secure cross-party support for his proposed bill to abolish all car parking charges at Scottish hospitals. Councillor McCready supported this bill which was also supported by the health service trade union UNISON.
Councillor Richard McCready said, 'I am very disappointed that this attempt to abolish car parking charges has failed. Car parking charges have an impact on people who visit Ninewells, and every day they have an impact in the West End as people park in residential streets to avoid paying the car parking charges. The Bill was supported by Marlyn Glen MSP it is disappointing that the other MSPs who represent Ninewells couldn't support this bill. It is odd that the MSP for Dundee West apparently 'welcomed' news of the defeat of this bill. I do not think it will be 'welcomed' by those who live in the West End or in Menzieshill and have to endure inconsiderate parking day after day.'
'I think that this bill would have been a step forward. It is unfair that Ninewells and two other hospitals charge for car parking when it is free elsewhere. Let's be clear there is no such thing as a free parking space; in the other hospitals across Scotland where these charges have been abolished it cost money. It is a shame that this bill has fallen because some of our elected representatives put narrow party interest in front of the interests of the people who elected them.'
