This article was originally published on 19 June.

For three weeks, starting Saturday 20 July, the multi-storey car park at Queen’s Hospital will be shut so urgent work can be carried out.

A recent review by independent health and safety inspectors found the lighting wasn’t good enough; the layout wasn’t safe for pedestrians; the doors were too heavy to open for parents with children and those with disabilities; and the tarmac on the roof had suffered significant sun damage. 

The inspectors recommended that we carry out the essential work or risk having to shut the car park permanently. We’ve decided to do it during the summer as our records show this is the period when we have the lowest attendances at Queen’s. The work needs to be completed by early next year to avoid the risk of closure.

The vital work will include resurfacing, the addition of pedestrian walkways, new doors and improved lighting that will enhance the CCTV. The stairwells will also be refurbished with anti-slip coating added to the steps.

It will take place from Saturday 20 July to mid-September. For the first three weeks, the car park will be closed and more than 1,100 spaces will be unavailable. It will then reopen in stages. Based on usage last summer, the first three weeks will be the only time when we won’t have enough spaces to meet demand.

Patients are strongly advised to use public transport to get to Queen’s.

Residents with blue badges, cancer patients, dialysis patients and those entitled to concessionary parking will be unaffected. There will be emergency parking available for women who are about to give birth. All other patients should travel by alternative means, such as using one of the eight bus routes that come into the hospital grounds.

Patients who are seriously unwell and who are brought in by ambulance will not be affected.

Drop off points will be available outside A&E, maternity and near to the main entrance. If you are dropping off a patient and then wish to join them for their treatment, you will need to park elsewhere. During the day, we will have several members of staff outside to help people with any questions they have while the car park is being upgraded.

More information about this and about how you can plan ahead to minimise disruption to your journey and treatment is available on our car parking page.

Sean Greene, our Director of Estates and Facilities, said:

I’d like to thank everyone in advance for their patience and support. I recognise this will cause significant disruption to visitors and staff and I’d encourage them to avoid driving to Queen’s. 

When the improvement work has finished, we will have a car park that is better lit, safer and more accessible.

A message from our Chief Executive, Matthew Trainer (below), regarding the temporary closure of the car park at Queen's Hospital.