Travelling by car / car parking
If you are travelling on the M56, at junction 15 take the M53 to junction 12. At the roundabout take the exit signed Chester. At the next roundabout take the third exit and follow the signs to the hospital.
There are a number of web sites that provide a route planning facility:
If you are about to start your journey you can also check for delays courtesy of the RAC and Automobile Association websites. Vauxhall and Trafficmaster PLC also provide a real time on-line map of traffic flow around the country.
Car Parking
The Trust operates a multi-payment system that includes cash, card, contactless and app payment facilities. It is also ticketless and uses automated number plate recognition (ANPR).
The technology means that tickets are no longer needed as the number plate recognition system (ANPR) simply asks users to key in their car registration number at the pay station before being provided with the option of paying by cash, card or contactless.
We have an excellent record on vehicle protection with barrier entry and exit, 24 hour staffed security and CCTV coverage.
The system allows a 30 minute drop off facility for all car park users. If a car park is full the 30 minute free facility will allow you to exit to try other car parks instead of waiting for a vacant space.
The following charges apply:
- First 30 minutes FREE
- up to 5 hours £3
- 5 to 8 hours £5
- More than 8 hours £7
Blue Badge parking
We have designated Blue badge Car Parks by our main entrance and adjacent to the Emergency Department and Out Patient 3 entrance.
Parking for Blue Badge Holders in Blue Badge designated Car Parks is FREE and a blue badge is required to be displayed at all times when the vehicle is parked.
Patients and visitors who are exempt from car parking charges should contact Security (01244 365128) if they have parked in our main visitor car parks 1 & 2.
Parking at the rear of the hospital (Haygarth Unit)
The Trust has in place a solar-powered Pay & Display machine for patients and visitors parking at the Haygarth Building.
The prices for this is different as we cannot provide a 30 minute grace time and is as follows:
Haygarth Parking
- Up to two hours - £2
- Two to five hours - £3
- Five to seven hours £5
- Over seven hours - £7
Country Park
The Trust in Partnership with the Land Trust provides a country park for visitors to use.
Here we have in place a solar-powered Pay & Display machine which has the following pricing parking structure:-
- Up to 2 hours - £1
- 2 to 5 hours - £4
- Over five hours - £5
Parking in these areas enter into a contractual agreement to enter and park.
If vehicles park within these car parks the users agree to pay a Parking Charge Notice of£30.00 (reduced to £15.00 if paid within 14 days) if you:
- Fail to pay for parking or stay longer than you have paid for
- Failure to clearly display a valid ticket from the onsite ticket machine
- Park outside of a designated parking bay, in a restricted area, grass verge or pavement.
- Park in a Blue Badge bay without displaying a valid Blue Badge in the front windscreen/dashboard of your vehicle.
- Cause obstruction to other car park users.
*Parking near the Countess of Country Park is free at weekends.
Free Parking
Any patients who qualify for an exemption should phone Security on 01244 365128 or use the call button on the Pay stations (or, if unable to reach Security, the Finance Front Office on 01244 3666208 between 0830 – 1600 M-F), or visit the Security Office.
Those who qualify for free parking:
- The Trust supports patients on certain benefits in line with NHS Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme (HTCS)
- Families on Critical Care can have up to a maximum of three vehicles endorsed whilst patient is on this ward. Forms authorising this to be collected from the Ward and taken to the Security Office to be authorised by Security Management
- Families of patients on Palliative Care can have up to a maximum of three vehicles endorsed (procedure then as above for Critical Care)
- Kidney dialysis patients
- Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy
In the above situations, forms should be taken to the Security Office (or, if unavailable, contact Finance Front Office by phone).
Assisted Parking
Assisted parking enables patients or visitors to purchase a parking pass from the car park Pay stations from a single transaction that incorporates unlimited visits on a weekly or monthly basis using our Saver menu:
- Weekly saver = £10.00
- Monthly saver = £30.00
Patients / visitors are advised to ask the nurse in charge or a member of the Security staff (or Finance Front Office by phone) if they feel they qualify for an exemption among those criteria listed above. In addition, the Trust takes everyone’s individual circumstances into consideration, so if you feel you should be exempt from a car parking charge and your circumstances are not listed above, the Trust will consider an exemption if it is deemed appropriate.
Please note:
Cars that are found not to be parked in official car parks or are inappropriately in disabled spaces will be issued with a Civil Enforcement Notice (parking ticket) and will incur a charge of £30 - this will be reduced to £15 if paid within 14 days.
It should also be noted that access for emergency vehicles has to be maintained as a priority at all times.