Patients Call Hospital Parking 'Horrendous' and 'Nightmare'
Parking Challenges at Royal Gwent Hospital Highlight Ongoing Struggles
Patients and visitors to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport have repeatedly described the parking situation as "horrendous" and an "absolute nightmare." The issues have sparked calls for urgent changes, with many urging the hospital to find more sustainable solutions.
The health board that manages the hospital has acknowledged the problem, noting that it is not unique to this location. Similar challenges are reported across several hospitals in the UK. As a result, the board encourages individuals to consider alternative transport options whenever possible.
Community Reactions and Frustrations
The local community has voiced its concerns through various channels, including social media platforms like Facebook. A post on the “Newport and Surrounding Areas Community Group” highlighted the growing frustration among residents and patients alike.
Anne Williams shared her experience, stating: “It’s an absolute nightmare. I either take a taxi or get someone to drop me off. They should have built a multi-car park somewhere.”
Gillian Robins added: “We live in Newport and usually take a taxi in, and if possible, we take the bus home. It’s just too stressful to drive.”
Another user, BeautifulSquirrel77, pointed out the lack of available spaces and suggested that all parking spots should be reserved for blue badge holders. They also mentioned the difficulty of exiting the hospital after appointments due to one-way systems and long queues.
“Also, there's one way in and another way out. It’s impossible to get out after an appointment as you have to join the parking queue,” they said. However, they admitted that expanding the car park is not a simple task. “There is nowhere to build a bigger carpark on the grounds unless they do a multi-story at the back by the St Woolos entrance.”
Impact on Local Residents
The issue extends beyond hospital visitors. HandsomeQuince9671 highlighted how the parking problems affect nearby residents. “It’s horrendous. Queues go onto Cardiff Road, and people park in residential areas, blocking driveways. It’s really frustrating trying to leave the house in the morning and coming back from work. The cul-de-sacs are full of cars from hospital staff when the sign at the front clearly states 'residents only.'”
Long-standing Issues
The parking dilemma is not a recent development. In 2024, members of the Abergavenny Voice Facebook group discussed similar frustrations. Gaynor Parfitt asked for advice ahead of an upcoming appointment, but the responses were discouraging.
Hilary Burgoyne advised arriving two hours early, saying: “Go two hours before your appointment—that’s how long it took me to get into the hospital grounds. Then I had to find somewhere to park and figure out where I needed to go in the hospital. Good luck.”
Sandy Cavaney echoed these sentiments, suggesting that patients might consider using public transport or even switching hospitals if possible. “I would ring the booking centre and tell them to make it for another hospital, Nevill Hall or Ebbw Vale for instance. I will not be having anymore appointments at The Royal Gwent unless I can get someone to drive for me and hover around in the car. The parking situation is ridiculous.”
Peter Rees added: “There is minimal parking there. Get there early—you may get a space in the grounds. If not, there is some parking at Belle Vue. If you’re near visiting, you won’t have a chance.”
Official Response and Recommendations
A spokesperson for the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board acknowledged the ongoing challenges and apologised for the inconvenience caused. They stated:
“We’re sorry to hear of the parking difficulties experienced at the Royal Gwent Hospital and apologise for any inconvenience caused. This hospital is an extremely busy site, with a significant amount of patients, visitors and staff attending the site at different times of the day, seven days a week.”
They noted that approximately 1,200 car parking spaces are available across the site and nearby Mendalgief Road car park, along with additional off-site parking for staff. However, they admitted that parking challenges still persist for patients and visitors.
“Sadly, this is an issue experienced across a number of hospitals in Wales, and there are no easy solutions to increase car parking at the site. We always encourage patients and visitors to consider utilising public transport or lift-sharing to reach the hospital. Alternatively, non-emergency patient transport is also available to patients that meet eligibility criteria.”
