by Anna White

awhite@thekmgroup.co.uk

Hospital workers and patients have been warned to park in designated spaces or face a hefty fine.

The message comes as bosses at Maidstone Hospital stepped up parking enforcement after a series of warnings were issued.

The strict rules came to light after staff called the Kent Messenger this week to complain several of them had been given parking tickets.

One employee, who did not wish to be named, claimed they could not park in the designated areas as recent snowfall had not been cleared.

"It’s disgusting we pre-pay to park in the car park but there are just not enough spaces, especially because of the snow," she said.

"Nurses and even consultants have been given £60 penalty notices as they have parked on verges outside the car park at the back of the hospital."

A spokesman for the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust said staff were aware of the new enforcement and that it was going to be introduced on Monday, December 6.

He said: "There has been a problem for some time with people parking in an inappropriate and potentially dangerous and obstructive way on the access road around Maidstone Hospital.

"We have been warning staff for months that if this did not stop we would be forced to issue spot fines to offenders.

"We regret having to do this but we must have clear access to the hospital for patients, staff and visitors.".

Staff pay £9 per month - about £100 a year - to park on the hospital site and feel the tougher enforcement is unfair.