AN MS has weighed in on the 'unacceptable' parking situation at the Maelor Hospital. 

Concerns continue to be raised regarding issues with the car park at the hospital in Wrexham. 

Leader readers branded the situation 'a joke', while Wrexham's MP Sarah Atherton met with health chiefs to see how it could be addressed. 

There are hopes that Plas Gororau, a site purchased by the Health Board in August 2022 will alleviate some of the issues, but it is yet to open. 

Now, Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is demanding immediate action to alleviate parking issues at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

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He said: “Parking has been a major and challenging issue at all our hospitals in North Wales for many years and yet the health board continue to drag their feet to find solutions.

“I regularly receive emails from angry constituents who have been faced with this problem, particularly at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital. I feel so very sorry on their behalf as it is something which really should have been resolved by now.

The Leader: Sam Rowlands MSSam Rowlands MS (Image: Sam Rowlands MS)

“As a person who has experienced the problems at first hand I know the last thing anyone working, visiting or attending for appointments needs is to have to drive round and round to find a suitable parking space. Yet this is happening every day and has been getting steadily worse every year.

“I recently read about people’s experiences of trying to park with grass verges, pavements and yellow lines all being used for parking. This is clearly unacceptable as it is dangerous because it blocks pathways and forces people to walk on the busy roads.

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“I know the health board has vowed to improve the situation and last year bought Plas Gororau, which will help to alleviate some of the parking problems at the Maelor, but this is yet to open. 

“Meanwhile people are getting more and more anxious and stressed out.

“I fully support Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton, who has taken up this issue with the health board and I will also be demanding answers from BCUHB and will be raising the matter in Welsh Parliament as a matter of urgency."

Michelle Greene, East Integrated Health Community Director at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “We fully appreciate how challenging car parking can be for patients, visitors and staff and we do not underestimate the stress and anxiety it can cause. 

"We are actively looking at a range of solutions to address the issue of car parking.

"Also, later this year we will begin to relocate some services currently provided at the hospital to Plas Gororau, which has 200 additional car parking spaces. This development will play an important role in alleviating car parking pressures at the hospital.”