CONTROVERSIAL new parking charges are set to be introduced at three community hospitals.

Patients, staff and visitors to Pendle, Clitheroe and Accrington Victoria community hospitals will need secure payment to park from July 1.

Under the new parking measures, people would pay £1.90 for three hours rising to a maximum of £3.50 for up to 24 hours.

Parking at the hospitals was free and the new charges would be the same as those currently at Royal Blackburn and Burnley General teaching hospitals, which East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) said is 'amongst the lowest in the country'.

Russ McLean, of the Pennine Lancashire Patient Voices Group, described the new charges as ‘disappointing’.

Mr McLean said: “While I’m disappointed and not happy that these charges are being introduced, I understand why they’ve been introduced as more and more hospitals and public services are charging for parking.

“It’s become a necessary evil, but ideally I’d like to see free parking in all English hospitals like they do in Scotland.

“I’m also concerned about the effect of these charges for people on low incomes as it’s a lot of money and could add another financial burden for them.”

But health chiefs said the revised pricing aims to be as fair and equitable as possible for all car park users.

James Maguire, divisional general manager for estates and facilities at ELHT, said: “We know that increasing parking charges is never popular.

“However, there are increasing pressures on the NHS to do more with less money.

“The trust has taken carefully considered decisions to ensure we make the best use of our resources.

“We have installed clearly signposted payment machines and additional income raised will be re-invested in the trust to benefit our patients and staff.”

The hospital trust also said a number of concession measure will be in place for patients who are undergoing treatments for cancer or attending regular appointments, as well as carers.