Royal Derby parking changes: Your questions answered

The new multi-storey car park will create more than 500 additional spaces

If you have visited the Royal Derby Hospital recently, you will know how busy the car parks can get.

Last month, bosses announced changes to the hospital's parking arrangements during the construction of a new multi-storey car park, which will create an additional 500 spaces.

The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) said during the work some on-site car parks will be closed, others will be for blue badge holders only, and the remaining ones will have a 90 minute maximum stay.

A free-to-use park and ride service for patients and visitors will also operate from Kingsway Boulevard, with 368 spaces, from 08:00 until 18:00 BST, seven days a week.

The trust said work on the multi-storey car park started in September, but the parking changes will begin on Monday, 14 October, and construction is expected to finish in summer 2025.

We have asked the hospital trust to answer your questions following the announcement of the changes.

A map showing car parks 2 and 3 will be blue badge only, 4 and 6 will close and 7 and 8 will be short stay

What time do the buses run to and from the park and ride?

A trust spokeswoman said gates to the park and ride will open at 07:30, and the first bus from there is at 08:15.

The last bus from the park and ride car park departs at 17:35, and the final bus from the hospital is at 17:40. It will depart from bus stop A, near the main entrance, and then call at bus stops around the site.

The gates for the park and ride will close at 18:30. If you need to access your vehicle in there after that time, you will have to call 01332 788 329 and speak to the car park team.

It is also possible to walk from the park and ride car park to the hospital. It will take about 15 minutes, and is signposted.

What if your appointment is running over and you stay more than 90 minutes in a short stay car park?

The hospital said if you breach the maximum stay for reasons outside of your control, you will not be charged extra for doing so.

A spokeswoman said you should speak to the team where you have been for your appointment for help.

Alternatively, call 01332 786 776, or press the "help" button on pay machines or car park barriers.

Visiting time is until 8pm (for two hours). How does that work?

Visitors can park on site using the short stay car parks for 90 minutes.

The trust said it offered open visiting which means people can visit a loved one in hospital for any period of time between 08:00 to 20:00.

If this is within 90 minutes, parking on site would be an option. If this is for longer, visitors will need to use the park and ride within its opening hours, or use public transport.

The new multi-storey car park will be built on the site of car park 6

I was in A&E for 13 hours - where should I have parked?

A trust spokeswoman said: "We understand that sometimes, particularly in urgent and emergency situations, you will need to park on-site for longer than the 90 minute maximum stay permitted in our car parks.

"We want to ensure that your visit to our hospital is as simple as possible.

"Therefore, if you breach the maximum stay in our car parks for reasons outside of your control, or when attending in an emergency, you will not be charged extra for doing so."

As above, the trust said to speak to a member of the department you were visiting before you leave, and they will help if you overstayed the 90 minutes.

What counts as an emergency or urgent visit?

The trust said in urgent situations, if you need to park for more than 90 minutes, you will not be charged extra for doing so.

The hospital said examples of when you will not be charged for overstaying were:

• Being in labour

• Attending adult and paediatric emergency departments, assessment areas, the same day emergency care (SDEC) department or in any other emergency situation

• Visiting a patient who is receiving end of life care

• If you are unexpectedly admitted or need to stay under the hospital's care for further tests

• If you suffer a bereavement

Andrew Selby, UHDB director of estates and facilities, said in order to build the car park safely, they needed to make essential temporary changes.

"We appreciate the cooperation and patience of our local communities during the construction work," he added.

Patients and visitors can get to the hospital by bus or by cycling.

A number of drop-off bays and spaces are also located around the site - with a maximum stay of 30 minutes.

Let us know how you get on with using the hospital's car parks by using the button below.