Patient groups and union officials have launched an attack on a decision to introduce a £1 flat rate parking charge at Bradford hospitals.

Motorists face the fee at St Luke's Hospital and Bradford Royal Infirmary. Hospital management claims it will simplify the system of parking charges.

Drivers parking less than five hours - who paid 70p - have to pay 43 per cent more. Long-stay motorists have seen their costs fall 17 per cent, from £1.20.

Charges for the staff car park have risen by a quarter to £5 a week. Prices for staff parking on spaces used by patients and visitors have also gone up by 25 per cent to £10 a week.

The charges last rose in June 1997.

Unison spokesman John Scanlon branded the new charges as a "disgrace and pure greed".

The workers' union representative said he was very unhappy with the move.

"If you need to visit a relative every day that's £7 and that is a lot of money for people who do not have much. It is disgraceful that people have to be penalised in this way just for visiting a sick relative. We have been trying extremely hard to fight these plans, " he said.

Barrie Scholfield, chairman of Bradford Community Health Council, said the issue was being raised with hospital chiefs along with the lack of consultation over the increase which came into effect earlier this month. "It is one of the most expensive charges in Bradford and in my view very, very steep for that period.

"I am aware the Council has a lot of concerns about the rise in car parking costs and there are also reservations about the amount of car parking spaces available."

The move has also angered visitors. Elizabeth Graham, 60, a home-help assistant from Fairweather Green, said: "It really is outrageous. If you're only there half an hour you still pay the same as if you were there three hours or more. It's a hospital and people who are ill need to be able to park close by."

David Ratnik, 37, from East Bowling, said: "I try and park on the street. Otherwise it gets expensive.''

A spokesman for the Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust said the price hike would help fund improved security measures - including CCTV and patrolling officers to tackle car crime - and land charges.

"Prior to the change many visitors found the different charges were an inconvenience as they did not have the correct change and would often pay extra,'' he said.

"Although the charges mean an overall increase, for many visitors to the Infirmary site they will have come down."

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