A NEW 517-space car park opposite the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital is set to get the planning green light tomorrow night (THURS).

The £1.6million scheme aims to make life easier for patients, visitors and staff and reduce traffic congestion on Haslingden Road and in Guide.

The car park will be built by Blackburn with Darwen Council on land it owns in Old Bank Lane opposite the hospital complex.

It will have 467 standard size spaces 50 larger ones, 20 motorcycle bays, a barrier controlled access, boundary footpath, landscaping, timber fence railings LED lighting and two CCTV camera masts.

The council’ application to go ahead with the scheme is recommended by officers for approval by Blackburn with Darwen Borough’s Planning and Highways Committee when it meets tomorrow night.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust estimates it is short of around 250 car parking spaces, a figure which is expected to rise as the hospital delivers more services in the future.

Cllr Andy Kay, borough resources boss, said: “I am very happy that this scheme has got to this stage but will be even happier when it is approved and finally built.

“It will make a real difference to users of the hospital and reduce traffic congestion on Haslingden Road especially at the roundabouts for the hospital its self and Shadsworth Road.”

Russ McLean, chairman of the Pennine Lancashire Patient Voices Group,said: This is great news for patients, visitors and staff at the Royal Blackburn.

“It’s a real co-operation between the council and the trust but I still think more car parking will be needed in the future.”

The car park will be managed by the council with visitors charged £1.90 for up to three hours and £3.50 for between eight and 24 hours.

These charges, the same as in the main hospital car parks,, long with income from permits, will generate nearly £500,000 income a year for the council.

The car park will be open 24 hours 365 days a year.

The planning officers report says cars waiting to enter the hospital car park were a major cause of blockages on the nearby road network.

It says at peak times traffic backs up to the M65’s Junction 5.

The report adds that hospital buses face lengthy delays.

Hospital boss have warned that clinics have also been delayed due to hospital staff and consultants left stuck in traffic.