Health Minister David Ashford has pledged his opposition to car parking fees at Noble’s Hospital.

A number of hospital car parks in the UK have introduced fees for both patients and staff. Meanwhile, there have been complaints over insufficient spaces at Noble’s Hospital in Braddan.

But Mr Ashford said: ’There have been various things suggested over the years. None of them have really found favour.

’The idea of charging for car parking up at the hospital, I must say personally I am not in favour of that.

’I think that comes with its own problems in terms of enforcement - people turning up at A&E, getting admitted and then by the time their family comes to actually get the car they have received a huge fine.’

The issue was raised in Tynwald by his predecessor as health minister Kate Beecroft (LibVannin, Douglas South).

Mr Ashford said that while there was a perception of a shortage of parking spaces at Noble’s Hospital, ’extensive research’ had shown there was always parking available, but problems were caused by people wanting to park as close to the hospital entrance as possible - often using the road areas of the car park as a result.

Tim Baker (Ayre and Michael) asked often spaces were used by people who were used the car park as a ’park and ride’ service into Douglas. He wanted to know whether the arrangements should be reviewed.

The minister acknowledged there would always be a ’few’ people who abused the system but added: ’Completely turning the whole system on its head for a few people would not be the right thing.’