PATIENTS and visitors to Bromsgrove's Princess of Wales Community Hospital face a 100 per cent rise in car park fees.

The increase has been described as a 'raw deal' and sparked an angry response from Bromsgrove's MP

Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust, which runs the hospital off Stourbridge Road, will increase the charge to £2 a day from next Monday.

The fee has been £1 for the past three years.

Justifying the hike the trust said that last year it invested more than £200,000 improving parking facilities. An additional 66 extra spaces were provided, as well as a second entrance to the hospital, directly onto the top corridor. Security lighting was also upgraded.

Parking will remain free for disabled badge holders and people meeting specific criteria. Staff can apply for a pass.

Gillian Entwistle, the trust's acting chief executive, said: "We have spent a lot of time considering whether we should raise the parking charges.

"We agreed we would on the basis that we have invested a significant amount of money in improving the car park and we have not raised the charges for a number of years.

"We remain committed to providing free parking for certain categories of patients and relatives of patients and this rise will have no effect on our staff."

But the increase has angered many, including Bromsgrove's MP Julie Kirkbride. She said: "Even if charges haven't been raised for three years there can surely be no justification for this 100 per cent rise, which is well above inflation."

Kath Tedstone from Santridge Lane, Bromsgrove, who is a member of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, said: "This is a raw deal for the people of Bromsgrove. I see no justification for a 100 per cent rise in charges."

In the mid-90s the Advertiser/Messenger reported that a 50p car parking fee was being introduced at the hospital, sparking a flood of complaints that it was a 'stealth tax on the sick.'

l HEALTH chiefs are to consider a proposal to give pensioners free parking when visiting the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

The suggestion came from the Labour group on Bromsgrove District Council and has received the full support of the authority.

Group leader Councillor Peter McDonald (Waseley) said he was delighted to have received a letter from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive John Rostill in which he said the exemption will be considered at the trust's next public meeting in February.

"Elderly people have to visit the hospital more frequently perhaps than any other group in the community.

"I am pleased Mr Rostill has agreed to the matter being discussed and I hope agreeing to our proposal," said Cllr McDonald.