A CONTROVERSIAL management company will be enforcing the new parking charges at Knutsford Community Hospital.

East Cheshire NHS Trust has named ParkingEye as the company chosen to enforce charges at the Bexton Road car park from April 2015.

ParkingEye, who have been involved in several highly-publicised disputes over fines, will operate Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) onsite and issue £70 fine penalties to anyone found breaching the rules.

An East Cheshire NHS Trust told the Guardian that ParkingEye will operate a dedicated NHS-specific appeals team.

The spokesperson added: “The team will consider any appeals based on guidelines decided by the trust, not by ParkingEye itself. Any motorists who have their initial appeal rejected will be able to further appeal through the independent body POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals).

“We would like to assure patients and visitors that all appeals will be dealt with fairly and encourage people to appeal if they feel there are mitigating circumstances.

“We would also like to point out that Blue Badge holders, or patients undergoing cancer or renal treatment, will remain exempt from paying parking tariffs at all East Cheshire NHS Trust sites.”

Under new regulations, motorists will be charged up to £5.50 a day for parking at the hospital – with the minimum fee set at £2.20.

The trust hopes the changes will help prevent the misuse of parking areas provided for patients, staff and visitors, and increase the availability of parking spaces close to the hospital entrance.

However, many Knutsfordians have hit out at the trust’s intentions.

Sheena Galley, of Grassfield Way, said that the charges will only serve to penalise patients.

“Cruel people will park there for the day but most people want to get in and out,” she said.

“Why can’t they do the first hour for free? I think that is quite acceptable but £2.20 is too steep. The hospital is a terrific asset to have in this town and it’s shocking and unfair to put charges in place.”

Cllr Peter Raynes, ward member for Knutsford, said that the charges will be by far the highest for parking in Knutsford and it will encourage people to park on the street.

“Given the traffic problems on Bexton Road this will only increase congestion and inconvenience to residents,” he added. “It is for the trust to decide how it manages the car park but I fear this move will cause inconvenience residents for very little if any real financial benefit to the trust.”

What do you think about the charges?  Do you think one hour free is a good idea?  Comment below.