SWAH parking charges rising by over 14 per cent

Notices have been put on display at ticket machines on the grounds of the hospital informing the public that, from today (Monday, April 3), there will be an “inflationary” price increase on car parking charges.

The cost of parking at the South West Acute Hospital for up to one hour is rising from 70p to 80p – double what it currently costs to park in Enniskillen town centre for the same period.

The price increase at the hospital represents a hike of 14.29 per cent.

For anyone looking to park their car for over eight hours at the hospital, the cost will be rising from £5.60 to £6.40.

A Western Trust spokesperson told the Impartial Reporter that the “nominal” price rise was in line with “inflationary uplift”.

According to figures published by the Office for National Statistics, the rate of inflation in the UK in February this year was 2.3 per cent, up from 1.9 per cent in January.

On the issue of car parking charges at the local hospital, the Western Trust spokesperson said: “Since implementation of the new car parking operational procedures at the South West Acute Hospital, the Trust has seen a significant and positive impact in the appropriate use of disabled bays with drop off/pick points and blue light routes remaining clear. This is because the site is being managed better in terms of flow and on site assistance.”

The spokesperson said that Western Trust fully managed the 832 free and 146 paid parking spaces at the SWAH site and any parking money paid was reinvested into the Western Trust car parking management.

He said: “The reason for the nominal price rise from seventy pence per hour to eighty pence per hour is in line with inflationary uplift. This is line with regional car park guidance.

"Additionally, the Trust would like to point out that there has been no increases in car parking charges in the last five years. At this time we would again like to thank all staff and visitors for their cooperation and appropriate use of the SWAH car park.”