Hospital car park charges annoy former Mayor (From Northwich Guardian)

Hospital car park charges annoy former Mayor

1:20pm Saturday 14th February 2009 in News By Gina Bebbington

A FORMER Northwich mayor is so frustrated with parking charges at Northwich’s infirmary she is starting an online petition.

Dorie Willington, who was the last town mayor of the 20th century, is starting the petition on Facebook to campaign for the controversial charges to be abolished.

Dorie, who was a nurse at the Victoria Infirmary for 25 years, said: “I just wanted to do something because I spent a happy time at the infirmary, and once I get the bit between my teeth I can’t stop.

“It’s very close to my heart and I don’t know how they can justify charging.”

The charges, of £3 for more than 20 minutes, £5 for more than four hours and £10 for more than 24 hours, were introduced in April last year.

They were brought in by Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust to fund maintenance and security measures and bring the infirmary in line with Leighton Hospital.

It’s very close to my heart and I don’t know how they can justify charging

Dorie Willington

Dorie, from Lostock Gralam, said: “No-one’s going to park illegally at the infirmary – you’re not going to park there, go into town and then walk back up Winnington Hill with all your shopping.”

Dorie, who served as Northwich town mayor from 1998 to 1999, said the land which makes up Verdin Park and the infirmary was given to the people of Northwich by MP Robert Verdin in 1887.

“I feel that they’re breaking the law by charging because it was given to the people of Northwich,” she said.

“You only have to mention the charges and people are totally against it.

“People say they go there because they’re ill, and they’re being penalised by being made to pay.

“They pay National Insurance all their life, road tax and car insurance and they’re still paying.”

Dorie hopes to set up the petition on Facebook this week.