Hospital redevelopment questioned over congestion

Plans for Warneford Park were submitted in August

Plans to redevelop a hospital have been questioned over the impact the proposals could have on traffic.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and University of Oxford have submitted plans to "transform" Warneford Park Hospital.

The plans include a new mental health hospital to replace the current one on the site, as well as an increase car parking spaces from the current 360 spaces to 546.

But cycling campaign group Cyclox have questioned the proposals, saying the scheme requires "better provisions" for those on bikes.

Thalia Carr, from the group, said: "If you provide more car parking, more people will drive and if more people drive, you're more likely to get congestion, you'll definitely get pollution and the air quality will go down."

"It will be less easy for cyclists, it'll be less attractive and you might even get fewer cyclists."

"You have to make it possible for cyclists to get there easily and provide entrances where you can walk in easily and frequent bus services - that would attract people," she added.

The site is currently home to a Grade II listed hospital

Oxford Health did not directly respond to concerns raised by Cyclox, and instead highlighted its plans for the development.

Under the proposals, a new mental health hospital would be built to replace the current one - which is Grade II listed and thought to be the oldest inpatient unit still in use across the NHS.

A "major" medical research facility for the University of Oxford would also be constructed on the site.

Grant Macdonald Oxford Health's chief executive, said the plans "present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform mental health services in Oxfordshire".

"It would allow us to provide high-quality care for patients in modern facilities and a therapeutic environment, with on-site research translated directly into clinical practice."