Greens oppose hospital car park in Broomhill

27th July 2009

Sheffield Green Party has spoken out against a proposal to build a multi-storey car park with 400 places to serve the hospitals in Broomhill. The Greens claim that this is likely to lead to an increase in dangerous air pollution as well as in traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.

Green Party Councillor Bernard Little said, "We fully recognise that patients,
visitors and staff need to be able to get to and from the hospitals easily and
safely. But while the proposal for a new car park may seem attractive at first
sight, it doesn't make sense in the long term.

"Poor air quality has serious and chronic effects on people's health and
Broomhill is already above acceptable EU levels for nitrogen dioxide. A large car park will result in more traffic, increased congestion and risks to safety. These plans go against the Sheffield-wide air quality action plan and the Council's carbon reduction strategy, as well as the Sheffield Teaching Hospital Trust's own healthy transport plan.

He added, "Most of the local residents we have approached have been willing to sign our petition opposing the proposal. I have tabled a motion for
discussion at Sheffield Council's meeting on 29 July, calling on the Council
to ask the hospitals' senior management to rethink their car park proposals"

The Green Party is urging the hospitals to come up with more appropriate
proposals, working closely with the local community as well as hospital
patients, visitors and staff and with other interested bodies. The Greens say that these proposals should take account of the hospitals' travel plan; and could include car sharing, shuttle buses and other improvements to public transport provision, plus parking for those who really need it.

ENDS

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