More than 1,250 people have so far backed the ‘Reduce hospital traffic in Wigginton Road’ petition on Change.org, started by the Labour councillors for York’s Guildhall ward, Dave Merrett, Rachel Melly and Tony Clarke.
More than 800 Press readers have also shared their experiences and solutions for easing the traffic chaos on The Press website, social media pages and our Letters page.
Among them are residents, hospital patients, and bus drivers.
Hundreds hit out at hospital congestion and suggest how to fix it. (Image: Newsquest)
City of York Council’s director of city development Garry Taylor said the local authority was working with York Hospital to promote alternatives to driving among NHS staff while there is an ongoing broader plan to address transport issues across the city.
Many readers focused on the longstanding issue of parking capacity at the hospital.
Nora Bradshaw said: “What about a few multi-storey car parks?” while Joan Helen Tunnicliffe called for both road improvements and an expanded car park, saying: “It needs the road widening to allow cars not going to the hospital to move freely up the road. Then the car park at the hospital needs to be made bigger – another two floors would not go wrong.”
Others suggested relocating parking to ease pressure. Timm Hield said: “Moving some outpatient clinics off-site will help. Not every patient needs blood tests/x-rays same day.” Jon Moulam added: “One solution is to move half the staff parking down the road to free up parking for those attending the hospital.”
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Several argued for dedicated park‑and‑ride links. Jan Drinkall said: “Doncaster Hospital has a free park and ride service from the racecourse car park… Surely York could have a similar option from the nearest park and ride facility.”
Jenny Mills said: “For patients who do not live in York why not have Park and Ride bus services just for the hospital?”
Amy O’Connor added: “Park and Ride needs a hospital bus. I don’t know how many times I’ve met people on the two park and ride – elderly people visiting sick and dying loved ones. They have to walk over from Bootham.”
Others suggested making better use of nearby land. Craig Robinson wrote: “All along the road from the hospital towards Clifton Moor are fields that have never been farmed for years. Turn them into a park and ride car park.”
Julie Ann added: “Put the car park on old Bootham hospital grounds maybe.”
Some called for reinstating public transport options that once served the site more directly. Claire Chambers wrote: “Bring back the hopper buses and run one from each of the existing park & ride sites to hospital.”
Meanwhile, Felix Zinc suggested a route change: “Open up the road through Nestle.”
A number of people described how congestion is affecting their health and care. Greta Spaven said: “It is a nightmare getting to the hospital to park. I’m a chemo patient and it just adds to the stress.”
Jane Walker, also undergoing treatment, added: “My chemo is always mid afternoon and the traffic is horrendous.”
A similar experience was shared by Tasha Wild, who wrote: “Got stuck in all the traffic when in labour. Baby arrived not long after we got to the hospital. Wasn’t a pleasant experience.”
Some pointed to wider city transport policies. Martin Read said: “The parking problem at the hospital has much worsened since the enormous increase in parking charges in the city centre.”
Others offered road‑layout proposals. Barbara M Matthewman said the hospital was poorly located and suggested traffic light changes, new access points, and additional staff parking.
Some believed the answer lies in behaviour change. Marie Dowling wrote: “If more people could find a way to avoid using their cars… there’d be far less congestion.” However, others highlighted the vulnerability of patients undergoing treatment, while others stressed the challenges for those travelling from out of town.
Several people proposed larger‑scale solutions. Jonny Greenwood wrote: “Should build a new hospital out of town…” while Di suggested: “Just need to reverse the one way system around the back of the hospital.”
Bus driver Mark Harmer‑Ebdon described the situation as “carnage”, adding: “It needs the multi story making level and access for disabled and to create an out of town park and ride system for the hospital only!!”
And bikesquicker argued the hospital could reduce pressure by adjusting its own operations: “The issue is peaks in demand like visiting time, patient transport, clinics… There would be loads of parking space off site at park and ride if restarted bus for staff… freeing up patient and visitor spaces.”
Join the debate
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