More Than £10m Paid to Keep Edinburgh Hospital Parking Free

Edinburgh Hospital Parking Has Cost More Than £10m Since 2020

More than £10m paid to keep Edinburgh hospital parking free More than £10m has been paid to keep parking free at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, with the total expected to exceed £12m before the private finance contract ends next year. New figures released by NHS Lothian show that the cost of keeping the hospital car park free, including operational costs, has reached £10.4m since parking charges were removed in 2020. A further £2m is expected to be paid before the existing PFI agreement with Consort Healthcare comes to an end in 2027. The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is one of the hospitals where parking arrangements were affected by historic Private Finance Initiative contracts. Scotland removed hospital parking charges at most NHS hospitals in 2008, but charges remained at three facilities covered by PFI arrangements. Deals were subsequently announced to buy out the car parks at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and Glasgow Royal Infirmary, while the Scottish Government said parking at the Edinburgh hospital would remain free while discussions continued. The figures show that the free parking policy at the Royal Infirmary has come with an ongoing cost to the public purse, with NHS Lothian reporting operational costs of around £400,000 every quarter. Free parking has been welcomed by hospital staff and visitors, although increased demand has also contributed to pressure on available spaces. A staff parking permit system was introduced at the hospital as demand for spaces increased. The wider PFI agreement covers the construction and maintenance of the Royal Infirmary, which was built in 2002. Consort Healthcare is due to continue operating under the agreement until next year. The issue highlights the wider challenge of hospital parking, where demand for spaces can be high because patients, visitors and staff may all need to park at the same site. For drivers attending hospital appointments or visiting relatives, knowing where parking is available before travelling can be particularly important when spaces are limited or demand is high. EveryonesParking can help drivers plan their parking before setting off, allowing them to look for suitable parking options rather than relying entirely on finding a space when they arrive. NHS Lothian says the costs associated with keeping the Royal Infirmary car park free are funded by the Scottish Government and will end when the PFI agreement finishes next year. The future arrangement for the hospital car park will therefore be an important development for staff, patients and visitors who rely on parking at the Edinburgh site.