PATIENTS and visitors at Macclesfield Hospital will face higher parking fees from today, October 20 – although some drivers will see the cost go down.

East Cheshire NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, is introducing free car parking for up to 30 minutes – an increase of 10 minutes.

But from tomorrow, all patients and visitors parking for between 30 minutes and four hours will pay £3.50.

That represents a rise of £1.30 for drivers parking for up to two hours – but those staying between two and four hours will save 90p from the current £4.40 charge.

The cost of parking for between four and 12 hours will also increase from £5.50 to £6, and the hospital is scrapping the weekend 24-hour charge of £2.20 – meaning the full prices will apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Regular visitors will also face a price hike, with the cost of a weekly ticket rising from £11 to £12.

Mark Ogden, director of finance at East Cheshire NHS Trust, said: “These new simpler tariffs should be easier to follow for our patients and visitors and are more consistent with charges at other NHS trusts.

“While hospital parking charges will always prove a contentious issue, I can assure patients and visitors that 100 per cent of the income from parking tariffs is retained by the trust and therefore ultimately reinvested in the vital services we provide.”

Parking for disabled motorists will remain free of charge but Blue Badge holders must ensure their vehicle is registered with the trust. For more information visit eastcheshire.nhs.uk/Patients-Visitors/car-parking.htm