HOSPITAL bosses have revealed its plans to create extra parking at Bury's hospital following complaints.

In a letter to Bury North MP James Frith, Steve Taylor, chief officer for Fairfield General Hospital revealed plans to create 92 new spaces at the hospital's under pressure car park.

Money for the extra spaces will come from capital funding.

In the letter to Mr Frith, Mr Taylor, said: "We have recently seen significant increases in demand and activity at Fairfield General Hospital and parking on site has become much busier as a result of changes in activity on the site and the development of the new MRI scanner.

"We recognised that this was unacceptable and as a consequence of this the Trust has been successful in securing capital to build a new 92 space car park on the hospital site on the former lowers section.

"Unfortunately this will not be a quick fix, but we have appointed a town planner who will be working with us to enable us to submit planning permission in early 2018 with the intention of completing the new car park in mid 2018."

The hospital currently has 769 staff spaces (80 are shared with visitors), 207 patient/visitor spaces, 43 blue badge spaces and 23 drop off spaces.

Mr Taylor went on to say the problems are the worst during weekday daytimes when 'demand for parking greatly exceeds capacity'.

The hospital has asked staff to take extra care when parking to ensure they only take up one space, something it believes will free up around 40 spaces per day.

Staff and public have also been asked to use come to the hospital by different means and that when there are no markings, park in line with the neighbouring cars to save room.

Where cars are not parked properly the hospital has agreed it will not penalise people as long as they are not obstructing an emergency vehicle.

Mr Taylor, said: "We recognise that this is not ideal and is causing congestion on the site, but hopefully our future plans will resolve these issues."

Mr Frith welcome the news but added he would continue to campaign to make hospital parking free.

He said: "Hospital parking should be free and I am working with Labour colleagues in Parliament to secure this.

"In the meantime, I welcome the steps taken by senior management at Fairfield to address the concerns with parking at the hospital, including improving signage and creating more spaces.

"I appreciate the challenges they face with space and would encourage anyone with other options to travel by public transport."